Fishery Biologist 3 (Lower Cook Inlet Area Research Biologist - PCN 111028)

State of Alaska • Homer, AK

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is open to Alaska Residents only. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting for a Fishery Biologist 3 located in Homer, Alaska! This position is the Area Research Biologist for the Lower Cook Inlet Management Area and provides an excellent career opportunity leading a team of professional staff to answer fisheries questions that guide management decisions in Lower Cook Inlet. This position oversees multiple fisheries projects including assessing salmon escapement, several video weirs, and commercial catch sampling. Responsibilities include, planning, budgeting, developing, implementing, supervising, and conducting field studies for salmon. The position synthesizes fishery information to evaluate spawning escapement goals, generates salmon forecasts and inseason run projections, and provides inseason data interpretation that guides harvest strategies for commercially harvested stocks.

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
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience assessing fish populations in rivers
• Ability to plan, organize, and oversee complex field projects and manage associated budgets
• Experience directing the work of personnel in remote and semi-remote field environments
• Experience using personal computers in the field for data collection and in the office for data analysis and reporting
• Experience generating technical documents including research reports and operational plans
• Professionalism: Consistently displays the collection of competencies and skill expected of a professional. Professionalism is defined by its key behaviors including being accountable for actions and assigned projects; practicing efficient work habits to effectively manage time and workload; clearly communicating and expressing thoughts and ideas in writing and in person; possessing the ability to understand how non-verbal communication impacts the workplace; working effectively as part of a team to achieve productive outcomes; and consistently demonstrating, emotional intelligence, integrity, and ethical behavior.
• Research: Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• 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.
• The required professional biologist work experience is met by service as a Fishery Biologist 2, Fish Culturist 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 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.
• Cover letter is required for this position and will be used as a writing sample.
• If selected, transcripts are required to meet minimum qualifications.
• If selected, a list of three (3) professional references with current contact information (daytime phone numbers) is required.
• If selected, an example of a written report, authored by the applicant, relating to fisheries research or a stock assessment is required.

Nice To Haves

• Attend Peace Officer/Law Enforcement training to become a State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game Peace Officer
• Obtain First Aid/CPR certification

Responsibilities

• Develop the pre-season salmon forecast for Lower Cook Inlet
• Prepare inseason projections of harvest and total run for Lower Cook Inlet salmon stocks
• Develop and evaluate spawning escapement and harvest goals
• Ensure data are properly collected, analyzed, distributed, and archived
• Design and implement studies to identify and manage mixed stock fisheries
• Planning, budgeting, developing, implementing, supervising, and conducting field studies for salmon
• Synthesizes fishery information to evaluate spawning escapement goals
• Generates salmon forecasts and inseason run projections
• Provides inseason data interpretation that guides harvest strategies for commercially harvested stocks
• Assist with the deployment and initial setup of fish weirs
• Conducting stream walks and aerial surveys to assess salmon escapement
• Assessing the contribution of hatchery stocks to commercial fisheries

Benefits

• The benefits of joining our team: This position is the Area Research Biologist for the Lower Cook Inlet Management Area and provides an excellent career opportunity leading a team of professional staff to answer fisheries questions that guide management decisions in Lower Cook Inlet.
• Provided by the department at no cost to the employee: First Aid/CPR certification

What This Job Offers

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