Fishery Biologist 2 (Assistant Area Management Biologist PCN 111275)

State of Alaska; Kodiak (AK); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries, is seeking a Fishery Biologist 2 to support salmon and herring fisheries in South Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands, based in Kodiak or Sand Point, Alaska. The role requires field work in remote locations and coordination with stakeholders.

Responsibilities include conducting aerial surveys, running test fisheries, and producing management reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a branch of biology or natural resource management.
• One year of professional biologist experience.
• Experience with salmon enumeration weirs.
• Ability to live in remote locations for extended periods.
• Valid Driver’s License and First Aid/CPR/AED training.
• Ability to carry firearms as required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in management of salmon and herring fisheries in South Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands.
• Conduct aerial surveys for enumeration of salmon and herring.
• Run test fisheries to determine juvenile salmon incidence post-June fishery.
• Oversee operation of the Orzinski River weir and related reports.
• Prepare annual management reports and SOPs and other documents.

Skills

Aerial surveys

Field crew leadership

Salmon enumeration

Bear safety

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field

One year professional biologist experience

Job description

Job Description

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 Fisheries is recruiting for a Fishery Biologist 2 located in Kodiak or Sand Point, Alaska!

What You Will Be Doing:

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is recruiting for a permanent full-time Fishery Biologist 2 in Sand Point from approximately May 10 to September 15 and Kodiak for the remainder of the year. This position serves as an assistant area management biologist for salmon and herring fisheries in the South Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands areas, interacts with commercial fishing industry personnel and fishermen by relaying commercial fishery announcements and other information, conducts aerial surveys to count salmon and herring, and runs the test fisheries to determine the incidence of juvenile salmon in the post-June salmon fishery. The position also oversees the operation of one salmon enumeration project, the Orzinski River weir, authors and co-authors annual management reports, Standard Operating Procedure manuals, and other various reports.

Our Mission, Values, And Culture:

The Division of Commercial Fisheries strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and well-being are paramount and employees at all levels promote a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully. The incumbent is directly involved in protecting, maintaining, and improving the fishery resources of Alaska and assists in managing the use of the resource in the best interest of the people of the State. The incumbent works with the public by effectively communicating management regulations and in season fishery actions and conveying information to diverse groups ranging from local fishery groups to scientific audiences.

The Benefits Of Joining Our Team:

This position is a professional level biologist with direct impacts on the State’s salmon and herring fishery resources. The incumbent will be assessing salmon stocks in season to assist in determining if commercial salmon fishing activity will occur and post-season will work with the public and Board of Fisheries to implement changes to fishery regulations.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

This permanent full-time Fisheries Biologist 2 is stationed in Sand Point from approximately May 10 to September 15 and Kodiak for the remainder of the year. Housing in Sand Point is provided and consists of a newer two-bedroom apartment in a duplex that is located right next to the Sand Point ADF&G office. DFG supports work-life balance by offering a hybrid in-office and telework scheduling after successful training period. Requires the ability to live in remote locations for extended periods of time, in Sand Point for roughly four months and at a remote weir location for up to a week at a time, at least twice in each summer. Also requires occasional travel within the State for regulatory meetings. The successful applicant will be required to work with firearms and non-lethal bear deterrents in an area with potentially high bear concentrations.

Who We Are Looking For:

• Experience conducting aerial surveys for the enumeration of salmon and herring and not be incapacitated by chronic or debilitating motion sickness;
• Ability to organize and implement test fisheries to determine the incidence of juvenile salmon in the post-June salmon fishery;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with department and non-department staff, private organizations and the public;
• Ability to lead field crews to successful completion of project goals;
• Experience with salmon enumeration weirs.

Special Note:

• A valid Driver's License is required.
• First Aid/CPR/AED training is required but may be provided by the department.
• Must be able to legally carry and effectively use firearms.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management; AND One year of professional experience as a biologist or fish culturist. The required professional biologist experience is met by service as a Fishery Biologist 1, Fish Culturist 1, Wildlife Biologist 1, or Habitat Biologist 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

Substitutions

• 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.

A master's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management, will substitute for the required year of professional level biologist experience. An individual who will complete the educational requirements and obtain the required master'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.

Special Note: Upper Division Courses

"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.

Special Note: Training

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

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Transcripts, if using to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial copies are acceptable).
• A list of three (3) professional references with current contact information.

COVER LETTER

A Cover Letter Is NOT Required For This Position.

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/competences 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.

WORK EXPERIENCE

If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES

This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

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: Matthew Keyse, South Alaska Peninsula & Aleutian Islands Commercial Salmon and Herring Fisheries Area Management Biologist Phone: [phone] [e-mail]

Careers With The State Of Alaska Offer MANY Benefits

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year