Fishery Biologist 3/4 (Upper Cook Inlet Area Management Biologist- PCN 111022)

State of Alaska • Soldotna, AK

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting for a Fishery Biologist 3/4 located in Soldotna, Alaska. The primary duties of the Upper Cook Inlet (UCI) Area Management Biologist (AMB) position are to lead management activities of commercial salmon, herring, razor clam, and smelt fisheries. The AMB will rely on a variety of data and information to make inseason decisions, including sonar passage estimates, test fish CPUE data, aerial surveys of rivers and fishing areas, processor and fishermen catch reports, and analysis of historic catch and escapement trends. In compliance with 11 different management plans, up to 60 emergency orders, with accompanying announcements, are written and issued each season to establish fishing periods and designate open and closed areas. Approximately 1,300 limited entry permit holders operate in the UCI area, as well as very visible sport and personal use fisheries. The AMB in the UCI area has one of the most dynamic, exciting, and challenging fisheries in all of Alaska to manage. Additional responsibilities include the supervision of an Assistant Area Management Biologist and a Program Technician and oversight of the Offshore Test Fishery.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of aquatic life, including classification, taxonomy, population dynamics, distribution, habitat requirements, life histories, reproduction, behaviors, conservation, and care of aquatic species.
• Demonstrated fisheries management experience.
• Experience with Alaska Board of Fisheries or other regulatory process.
• Ability to work effectively with numerous stakeholders and agency staff.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience with authoring fisheries management and/or technical reports.
• Experience with discussing information with the public and at scientific or policy meetings.
• The ability to deal with and effectively mitigate confrontational situations.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Fisheries Biologist 3: 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 full performance professional experience as a biologist or fish culturist.
• Fisheries Biologist 4: 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 advanced professional experience as a biologist or fish culturist.
• Substitution for degree: 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.
• Must provide transcripts to verify education.
• Must provide a copy of a technical report or paper that you authored or co-authored.
• Must provide a list of three (3) professional references with current contact information (one of which must be a current or former supervisor).

Nice To Haves

• Peace officer/ law enforcement training (recommended, but not required by law).

Responsibilities

• Lead management activities of commercial salmon, herring, razor clam, and smelt fisheries.
• Make inseason decisions based on sonar passage estimates, test fish CPUE data, aerial surveys, processor and fishermen catch reports, and analysis of historic catch and escapement trends.
• Write and issue up to 60 emergency orders per season to establish fishing periods and designate open and closed areas, in compliance with 11 different management plans.
• Supervise an Assistant Area Management Biologist and a Program Technician.
• Oversee the Offshore Test Fishery.

Benefits

• Sustainable management of salmon, herring, smelt, and clam resources of Upper Cook Inlet and the surrounding region.
• First Aid/CPR certification provided by the department at no cost to the employee.

What This Job Offers

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