Observer Employment Opportunities
Required Qualifications and Training
All observer positions require a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours of biology courses to qualify for the government training. In addition the NMFS North Pacific program requires one course in math and one course in statistics. MRAG requires completed course of field work using dichotomous keys and experience with computers. We consider experience at sea an important qualifier. In the Hawaiian fisheries, it is possible to qualify for the training without a Bachelor degree, by completing the Alu Like three week course. For more information on that course, please contact Eddie Agae at edagae@alulike.org.
NMFS and MRAG strictly observe the Zero Tolerance laws; all Observers may be asked to submit to urinalysis drug testing during or after any contract if a problem has been indicated. All applicants must have proof of a recent (last 12 months) physical examination due to the physical nature of the job and by requirement by the government agencies involved. Both the drug screen and the proof of physical examination are to be available to the vessel or vessel management company upon request.
Training for all current MRAG programs is provided without charge to the observer. NMFS provides two to four trainings per year in Hawaii and 8 to 10 trainings per year for the North Pacific Groundfish. ADF&G provides one or two trainings per year for the Alaska Shellfish. Both the North Pacific Groundfish and Hawaii Longline Observer trainings are 15 days long. The shellfish class lasts 12 days. Trainings for the Alaska Marine Mammal Program occur as required and are usually held only once per year.
MRAG pays $80/day for the Alaska trainings and $118/day for the Hawaii training. Lodging with kitchen facilities and meal per diems are provided for the duration of the training.
North Pacific Programs: The North Pacific Fisheries Observer Training Center (OTC) provides the majority of the training for the NMFS Groundfish and ADF&G Shellfish Programs. The OTC is located at 707 A Street, Suite 207, Anchorage, Alaska, (907) 257-2770. Additional training classes for the groundfish program are offered, also without charge to the observer, by the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center Domestic Observer Program at 7600 Sand Point Way, Building 4, Seattle, WA, (260) 256-4213.
Hawaiian and Samoan Program: Training is sponsored by the NMFS Pacific Islands Region Observer Program located at 1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1110, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814.
Training curriculum includes safety while at sea, sampling methods, species identification, requirements for data recording and reporting, the basics of fisheries management, pertinent fishing regulations, and life as an observer. Attendance, full participation in exercises, and a score or 80% on exams and homework are necessary to successfully complete the classroom portion of training. In addition, attendees must be able to don an immersion suit in under one minute, enter the water in an immersion suit, and climb into a floating life raft.
Wages and Benefits
Wages vary based on the program of employment. Please refer to that specific program page for a description. For pay rate determination, MRAG will transfer all sea days earned with MRAG between all programs. MRAG will also credit an employee with all sea days earned in a program in which MRAG provides observers, regardless of the company those days were accumulated with. MRAG will not credit any sea days with another company in programs that MRAG does not place observers, however, we will consider the experience when hiring. MRAG considers experience from the North Pacific Groundfish, ADF&G Shellfish, Hawaiian Longline and Bottomfish, Alaska Marine Mammals, ICCAT Transshipment, and CCAMLR at this time.
All employees are paid on a biweekly basis and direct deposit into bank accounts is available.
Insurance Coverage
As a federal marine contractor, we are required to provide our employees with the best insurance coverage possible. As an Observer, and while on assignment; you will be covered by the following insurance coverage:
State Act Workers Compensation
$1,000,000 United States Longshoreman and Harbor Workers
$1,000,000 Maritime Employers Liability
$2,000,000 General Liability
How to Apply
We will be very pleased to consider your application for employment with our company. Please download and complete our application for employment (Click here). Attach a copy of your college transcript and resume. Please scan and e-mail to bryan.belay@mragamericas.com, mail to 1810 Shadetree Circle, Anchorage, AK 99502, or fax to 907-677-6022.
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR PROGRAM PREFERENCE IN THE E-MAIL. If you qualify and pass the initial screening we will schedule a phone interview.
If you have any questions about this information or any other aspect of employment with MRAG Americas, please don't hesitate to call our Observer Operations Manager, Bryan Belay at (907) 677-8772 or e-mail at bryan.belay@mragamericas.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon.