Fishery Biologist 1

State of Alaska; Dutch Harbor (AK); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries, is recruiting for a Fishery Biologist 1 in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The role supports the Crab Observer Program by briefing and debriefing observers, reviewing data for accuracy, and assisting in observer training while handling data entry and quality checks.

Applicants should have a biology-related bachelor's degree and at-sea observer experience; a valid driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology or related field.
• At-sea observer experience preferred.
• Experience as an observer program debriefer.
• Experience training fishery observers.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Brief and debrief fishery observers and review observer data for accuracy.
• Enter and edit observer data in database applications.
• Assist in training new observers and develop training materials.
• Support and mentor observer staff and work with contract observers and staff.

Skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

At-sea field work

Observer data debriefing

Training observers

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related field

Job description

Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for this position increased by 3%. The wage listed in this job posting reflects the increase.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fish is recruiting

for a Fishery Biologist 1 located in Dutch Harbor, Alaska!

What you will be doing:

This position is with the Crab Observer Program for the Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands crab fisheries. The primary duties of this position are to brief and debrief fishery observers, review observer data for accuracy and enter and edit data in various database applications. This position also assists in training new observers and requires knowledge of biological sampling techniques, fishery-specific regulations, an understanding of observer data collection, and strong interpersonal skills when interacting with contract observers and department staff.

Our mission, values, and culture:

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game’s mission is to manage, protect, maintain, and improve the fish, game and aquatic plant resources of Alaska. The primary goals are to ensure that Alaska’s renewable fish and wildlife resources and their habitats are conserved and managed on the sustained yield principle, and the use and development of these resources are in the best interest of the economy and well-being of the people of the state.

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount and employees at all levels promote a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully.

The benefits of joining our team:

The State of Alaska is an excellent employer that offers generous benefits, including health insurance and paid time off.

The Observer Program is a fun, highly motivated group made up of six Fishery Biologists and up to two dozen fishery observers who work together to collect fishery-dependent data to aid in the management of crab fisheries. Our team gathers biological data in port and at-sea onboard commercial fishing vessels – both of which provide unique opportunities to learn about Alaska’s fisheries, gain valuable experience and skills, and see incredible places around Alaska! ADF&G managed housing in Dutch Harbor is available at no cost to the employee.

The working environment you can expect:

This position is staffed in the ADF&G office in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Dutch Harbor is a small town located on Unalaska Island and provides unparalleled opportunities for fishing, hiking, berry picking, and exploring the outdoors.

The daily work environment is dynamic and includes working at a desk in an office setting, at processing plants, and living and working aboard vessels at sea.

At times, this position will require working outside normal business hours and on weekends, which may include time at sea. Travel may be required to participate in crab observer training and stock assessment surveys outside of standard business hours and on weekends.

• This position may require travel to Kodiak, Alaska to assist with observer training and may be required to deploy at sea onboard commercial fishing vessels for up to three weeks at a time.

Who we are looking for:

• Effective communicator and strong interpersonal skills: must be able to effectively communicate through oral and written skills with a variety of people, accept critical feedback in a professional manner, be respectful and empathetic of others, and support/mentor direct reports.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment, which requires regularly shifting priorities for this position and those it supervises to achieve program goals, while maintaining workload balance.
• At-sea experience in an observer role, with crab observer experience preferred: able to conduct field work onboard vessels for an extended period and in inclement weather.
• Experience as an observer program debriefer: able to review observer data, provide guidance in areas for improvement, enter and provide quality checks for observer data.
• Experience training fishery observers: able to produce training materials, supervise and/or assist observer training staff, as needed.

Special Note:

• A valid driver's license is required.
• This position may be in possession of, or have access to, firearms/ammunition.
• First Aid/CPR. For those not already certified, training will be provided by the department at no cost to the employee.
• crab observer training class certification per 5 AAC 39.143; obtained by attending the crab observer training class and completing the practicum exercises and crab observer exam with a score of 90% or greater, and successfully deploying as a crab fisheries observer before the end of the probationary period.
• cold water survival training.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management.

Substitution:

• at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, aquaculture, aquatic ecology, fisheries resources, or natural resource management (excluding courses that focus on agricultural husbandry techniques, human population dynamics, or the design and manipulation of landscapes), of which 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) are upper division courses; and
• at least 12 semester hours (16 quarter hours) in any combination of two or more of the following: chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, geology, hydrology, or GIS.

Special Note:

"Upper division courses" means courses that are specialized, in-depth and advanced. Such courses emphasize problem-solving, analytical thinking skills, and theoretical applications, with depth and rigor in a discipline's theories and methods; specialization in a particular field or profession; refinement of general education; and/or development of specific intellectual and professional skills. Upper division courses are commonly identified in college catalogs as 300 level and higher.

Some positions may require training in specialized areas such as hydroacoustics, microscopic analysis, underwater research, or fish habitat restoration or enhancement.

An individual who will complete the educational requirements and obtain the required bachelor's degree within six months may apply and be considered for a vacancy. Such applicants may be given a conditional job offer but may not be appointed until receipt of the required degree has been documented.

FIREARMS

This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL 104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position.

A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is an offense that is (1) a misdemeanor under Federal or state law; and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.

If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do NOT apply for this position.

EDUCATION

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competences, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts).

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence.

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aids or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or [phone] in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Information

For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager:

Bo Whiteside, Fishery Biologist 3, Shellfish Observer Program Manager

Phone: [phone]

[e-mail]