Fishery Biologist 1 (Crab Observer Program Debriefer PCN 111150)

State of Alaska • Dutch Harbor, AK

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Fishery Biologist 1 works with the Crab Observer Program for the Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands crab fisheries, based in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office in Dutch Harbor. The position briefs and debriefs fishery observers, reviews observer data for accuracy, and enters and edits data in database applications. It also helps train new observers and supports collection of biological data used for fishery management and stock assessments, monitoring fishery harvests, observer deployment logistics, and observer training courses. The position communicates regularly with fishermen, processors, industry, department staff, and other agencies to provide information, answer questions, and clarify regulations.

The role is part of the ADF&G Commercial Fisheries team and the Observer Program, a group of six Fishery Biologists and up to two dozen fishery observers. Work takes place in an office, at processing plants, and aboard commercial fishing vessels at sea. The position may require travel, work outside normal business hours and on weekends, and deployment at sea for up to three weeks at a time. Travel may include Kodiak for observer training and participation in crab observer training or stock assessment surveys. ADF&G-managed housing in Dutch Harbor is available at no cost to the employee.

Applicants must be Alaska residents. A valid driver's license is required. Required training and certification include First Aid/CPR, cold water survival training, and crab observer training class certification under 5 AAC 39.143, including completion of practicum exercises and an exam score of at least 90%, followed by a successful deployment as a crab fisheries observer before the end of the probationary period. Department-provided First Aid/CPR training is available at no cost to employees who are not already certified.

Requirements

• Alaska residency.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management; alternatively, a bachelor's degree with specified coursework may qualify.
• The coursework substitution requires at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in listed biological or natural-resource fields, including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of upper-division courses, plus at least 12 semester hours (16 quarter hours) in any combination of two or more of chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, geology, hydrology, or GIS.
• A valid driver's license.
• First Aid/CPR certification; the department will provide training at no cost for those not already certified.
• Cold water survival training.
• Crab observer training class certification under 5 AAC 39.143, including completion of practicum exercises, a crab observer exam score of 90% or greater, and a successful deployment as a crab fisheries observer before the end of the probationary period.
• Effective oral and written communication and strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to accept critical feedback professionally and interact respectfully and empathetically.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment, shift priorities to meet program goals, and maintain workload balance.
• Ability to conduct field work aboard vessels for extended periods and in inclement weather.
• Ability to review observer data, provide guidance, enter data, and perform data quality checks.

Nice To Haves

• At-sea experience in an observer role.
• Crab observer experience.
• Experience as an observer program debriefer.
• Experience training fishery observers, including producing training materials and assisting or supervising training staff.

Responsibilities

• Brief and debrief fishery observers.
• Review observer data for accuracy and enter, edit, and quality-check data in database applications.
• Provide observers guidance on areas for improvement.
• Assist with training new fishery observers, including producing training materials and assisting or supervising training staff as needed.
• Assist in collecting biological data used for fishery management and stock assessments.
• Monitor fishery harvests and assist with observer deployment logistics.
• Coordinate and participate in observer training courses.
• Communicate with fishermen, processors, industry, department staff, and other agencies to provide information, answer questions, and clarify regulations.
• Conduct field work at processing plants and aboard commercial fishing vessels, potentially for extended periods and in inclement weather.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Paid time off.
• ADF&G-managed housing in Dutch Harbor available at no cost to the employee.
• First Aid/CPR training provided by the department at no cost to employees who are not already certified.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level