Fishery Biologist 2 (Regional Assistant Access Project Coordinator PCN 114131)

State of Alaska; Palmer (AK); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, in Palmer, Alaska, seeks a Fishery Biologist 2 to support access site projects across the region. The role blends office work with field duties, requiring travel to remote camps and coordination with agencies and the public to resolve angler access issues.

A degree in biology and relevant experience, plus strong communication and project coordination skills, are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology or a related field and one year of professional biologist experience.
• Experience with state contracting procedures; knowledge of public access easements is a plus.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to coordinate with diverse agencies and the public.

Responsibilities

• Assist in acquisition, development, and maintenance of sport fishing access sites and programs.
• Coordinate with agencies and the public to address angler access issues.
• Balance field projects with office duties and travel to remote field camps.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Agency coordination

Independent work

Time management

Field operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related field

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 Sport Fish is recruiting for a Fishery Biologist 2 located in Palmer, Alaska!

What You Will Be Doing:

Under supervision from the Regional Access Project Coordinator this position assists in the acquisition, development, improvement, and maintenance of sport fishing access sites and programs in the Division of Sport Fish Region 2.

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 Benefits Of Joining Our Team:

This job offers a rewarding opportunity to work with a talented team that is dedicated to ensuring recreational boaters and anglers have access to the regional fishing resources. The position is a combination of office‑based duties, field projects and multiyear CIP projects. Projects include conducting access site inspections throughout the region (Alaska Peninsula, Bristol Bay, Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, Kodiak, and Matanuska Susitna Valley), partnering with various agencies (AWT, DEC, DNR State Parks, Mat‑Su Borough, USFWS) and the general public to address angler access issues.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

The position is based in the Palmer Fish and Game office. The ADFG Team fosters a cooperative environment with empowerment, integrity, accountability, and professionalism. Daily work routines are generally self‑directed and offer a variety of field and office‑based duties. The position is supervised by a Fishery Biologist 3 in the Homer office, and the team also includes a Fish & Wildlife Technician 5 located in Palmer. This position may be required to independently travel to remote field camps and conduct site visits. Firearms and ammunition handling is required for protection. Experience operating skiffs with outboards, jet boats, marine boats up to 30 ft, and hand operated power tools.

Who We Are Looking For:

• Knowledge and experience with angler access and boating issues.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including technical writing.
• Knowledge and experience coordinating with and building strong working relationships with a variety of local, state, and federal agency staff and the general public in accomplishment of work duties.
• Experience with state contracting procedures; specifically, writing professional service contracts, managing concessions, and expediting program materials.
• Experience researching property ownership and assisting in acquiring public access easements.
• Experience inventorying access site needs, monitoring angler use patterns, assessing human impacts on habitat and facility amenities.
• Experience with access site and facility operation and maintenance activities.
• Experience using hand tools, power tools, and operation of field equipment including ATVs and boats.
• Experience working independently, providing quality work products, meeting deadlines, and effectively managing time.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Fishery Biologist 2, please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Special Note:

• A valid Driver's License is required.
• Procurement level 1 certification.
• 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:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college that includes or is supplemented by the following credit hours will substitute for the degree in a specific field:

• 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.

"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.

Additional Required Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Cover letter
• Transcripts, if using to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial copies are acceptable).

If selected, please provide the following at the time of the interview:

• A list of three (3) professional references with current contact information (including daytime phone numbers). At least two of which must be a current or former supervisor.
• Copies of your three (3) most recent performance evaluations.

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter is limited to one page and must highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the position-specific competencies listed in the job description. If you do not possess a particular position-specific competency, you must identify that in the letter. Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application, fax or email it to the contact provided in the job posting. Your cover letter will be used to help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

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.

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.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

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.

NOTICE

If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or [phone] if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to [e-mail].

FOR Applicant Password Assistance Please Visit:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

Contact Information

For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager: Tim Blackmon, Regional Access Project Coordinator

Phone: [phone]

[e-mail]

Careers With The State Of Alaska Offer MANY Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

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