Fishery Biologist 4 (Statewide Salmon Research Biologist - PCN 117025)

State of Alaska • Anchorage, AK

12d • Onsite

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 4 located in Anchorage, Alaska! As the lead of the Research and Data Services Unit in the Chief Fisheries Scientist for Salmon Office, this position works with a team of fisheries scientists, biologists, regional research coordinators, and senior-level biometricians to design, plan and perform research to support State of Alaska needs for sustainable fisheries management. Primary responsibilities for this position are oversight of the Division of Commercial Fisheries salmon biometrics unit; coordinating multi-regional data requests; leading efforts to rescue and resurrect historical data sets; and training staff in best practices of reproducible science and analyses. This position is also responsible for effectively communicating results to diverse groups (scientists, managers, industry, and public), and authoring fisheries reports, technical publications, and external manuscripts. This position helps fulfill the division’s mission to manage subsistence, commercial, and personal use fisheries in the interest of the economy and general well-being of the citizens of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle by conducting scientifically sound assessments to help manage sustainable uses of Alaska’s fish, shellfish and aquatic plant resources. To assist the division in pursuit of this mission, the Research and Data Services Unit is responsible to: Ensure that high quality and trustworthy research and assessments are used to manage salmon and other resources by providing expert statistical and modeling input for salmon stock assessments, escapement goal development, and forecasting; Facilitate efforts to retrieve and archive historical data and samples for future management and research uses; Support ongoing activities of the division and department through concerted and coordinated assistance to regional and headquarters staff; primarily through: 1) providing technical assistance on scientific research including design, methods, training, reporting, and budgets; 2) communicating stock assessment and research results with appropriate context; and 3) providing expert reviews, recommendations, and applications to fishery managers, biologists, and stakeholders. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount and employees at all levels promote a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of statistical, mathematical, and population dynamics theory along with the principles and techniques of quantitative biological research.
• Ability to use contemporary statistical coding tools (e.g., R, Python), knowledge of reproducible scientific principles and methods (e.g., git, markdown), and experience coordinating and curating large amounts of data.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for the presentation of scientific and policy issues to a diverse audience, particularly on issues without a well-defined solution.
• Experience with preparing reports and publishing research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven ability to work with a high degree of independence and as part of a team, while contributing to a positive and supportive working environment.
• Ability to work fluidly between multiple projects simultaneously and coordinate teams of varying technical skills and abilities.
• Interest in solving complex problems.
• 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.
• The required professional biologist work experience is met by service as a Fishery Biologist 3, Fish Culturist 3, Wildlife Biologist 3, Habitat Biologist 3, or Fisheries Geneticist 2 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.

Nice To Haves

• A valid driver's license is preferred.
• A valid U.S. Passport for international travel and the ability to legally enter Canada is preferred.
• First Aid/CPR certification (training will be provided by the department at no cost to the employee if not already certified).

Responsibilities

• Oversight of the Division of Commercial Fisheries salmon biometrics unit
• Coordinating multi-regional data requests
• Leading efforts to rescue and resurrect historical data sets
• Training staff in best practices of reproducible science and analyses
• Effectively communicating results to diverse groups (scientists, managers, industry, and public)
• Authoring fisheries reports, technical publications, and external manuscripts
• Providing expert statistical and modeling input for salmon stock assessments, escapement goal development, and forecasting
• Facilitating efforts to retrieve and archive historical data and samples for future management and research uses
• Providing technical assistance on scientific research including design, methods, training, reporting, and budgets
• Communicating stock assessment and research results with appropriate context
• Providing expert reviews, recommendations, and applications to fishery managers, biologists, and stakeholders

Benefits

• Challenging and fulfilling, professional opportunity to collaborate with biologists, biometricians, scientists, and decision makers across state and federal agencies to ensure the best available science is used to sustainably manage the resources of the State of Alaska for the benefit of the people of Alaska.

What This Job Offers

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