Wildlife Biologist 2/3 (PCN 112008)

State of Alaska; Kotzebue (AK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, is seeking a Wildlife Biologist 2/3 in Kotzebue to conduct and manage research on the western Arctic caribou herd. The role involves field work, movement ecology studies, and public outreach in Alaska’s remote Arctic region.

The position requires a biology degree and professional biologist experience, with opportunities for advancement to Wildlife Biologist 3 after demonstrated experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field required.
• One year of professional level biologist experience required or as Wildlife Biologist 1, Fishery Biologist 1, or Habitat Biologist 1 with the State of Alaska or equivalent.
• Substitutions: advanced biology coursework can substitute for degree; master’s degree can substitute for required experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and implement research projects supporting management of large mammal populations.
• Manage budgets, write research proposals, progress reports, and manuscripts.
• Coordinate with federal/state/local agencies and the public; conduct field and aerial activities.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field

Master’s degree in biology or related field

Job description

Wildlife Biologist 2/3 (PCN 112008) in Kotzebue, AK | GovernmentJobs.com page has loaded.

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 Wildlife Conservation is recruiting for a Wildlife Biologist 2/3 located in Kotzebue, Alaska!

What You Will Be Doing

This position provides research and management support to staff in the Arctic/Western region of Alaska. It offers an unusual opportunity to study wildlife populations and participate in a diverse array of wildlife projects occurring in a large, remote, northern portion of Alaska. The position will be focused on managing and conducting research on the western arctic herd (WAH) caribou population in Region 5. Typical duties will consist of researching movement ecology of caribou, improving survey and harvest monitoring techniques, and attending public meetings to answer questions and share information about the WAH. This position will also assist other area staff with conducting research on other herds or species. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with big game species in beautiful and remote areas of Alaska while working closely with a several other staff members.

Our Mission, Values and Culture

The Division of Wildlife Conservation's mission is to conserve and enhance Alaska’s wildlife and habitats and provide for a wide range of public uses and benefits. This position is defined by our core services that maintain and enhance opportunities to hunt, trap, and view wildlife because it helps to provide people an opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciation for Alaska’s wildlife, its management, and ways to interact with wildlife safely and ethically.

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game 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.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

The benefits of joining the Region 5 team include the opportunity to work in an interesting field among a diverse group of dedicated professionals who support each other and are passionate about their work. If hired at the Wildlife Biologist 2 level, there will be an opportunity to advance to a Wildlife Biologist 3 once sufficient experience and abilities have been acquired.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

This position is based in Kotzebue, located on a gravel spit at the end of the Baldwin Peninsula in Kotzebue Sound. It is 33 miles north of the arctic circle on the western coast of Alaska. Approximately 3,102 people live in Kotzebue (2020 census). The Kotzebue ADF&G Area office is staffed year round by the Division of Wildlife Conservation and part time by the Division of Commercial Fisheries. The work environment will fluctuate between office and field locations. Field work will include flying in fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, as well as accommodations such as tents, shared waterless cabins, and may require s travel away from the duty station for 5-10 days at a time.

Position Details

• Requires frequent travel within the management unit and state. Occasional field work may require overnight trips of up to 5-10 nights, and may be up to 20-30 nights per year.
• This incumbent may spend between 100 – 200 hours per year in small fixed-wing aircraft and R-44 (or similar) rotorcraft.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• Applicants should be able to use and possess a firearm.
• CPR/First Aid administration certification (preferred; can obtain during 1st year of employment).

Who We Are Looking For

• Designing, planning, and implementing research projects that support management for large mammal populations, including managing budgets, writing research proposals, progress reports, and peer reviewed manuscripts.
• Developing and maintaining cooperative programs and agreements with other federal, state, and local government agencies.
• Working with the public through outreach, education, and interacting with advisory committees and specialist interest groups.
• Capturing, immobilizing, performing physical examinations, and collecting samples from large mammals.
• Working from small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, serving as an aerial observer for flights up to 8 hours, and preparing data summaries based on collected data.
• Planning wildlife capture projects and activities, including coordinating staff, aircraft and pilots, project logistics, and data collection.

Minimum Qualifications

Wildlife Biologist 2

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

AND One year of professional level biologist experience. The required professional biologist experience is met by service as a Wildlife Biologist 1, Fishery 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, 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 or natural resource management, will substitute for the required year of professional level biologist experience.

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.

Wildlife Biologist 3

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, or natural resource management;

AND One year of full performance professional level biologist experience. The required professional biologist work experience is met by service as a Fishery Biologist 2, Wildlife Biologist 2, Habitat Biologist 2, or Fisheries Geneticist 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

Substitution:

• 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, 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.

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: Shawna Karpovich, R5 Research Coordinator.

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Employer State of Alaska

Address: PO Box 110201, Juneau, Alaska, 99811

Phone [phone] (Statewide toll-free number) [phone] (Juneau and out-of-state callers)