Location
Juneau, AK | United States
Job description
Full job description
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting for a Fishery Biologist 1 located in Douglas!
What you will be doing: This 8-month permanent seasonal position assists the Dive/Shrimp Fisheries Research Biologist (Project Leader) in implementing stock assessment and research programs for the development of management plans and implementation of commercial fisheries for sea cucumbers, geoducks, sea urchins, abalone, shrimp and other miscellaneous species in Southeast Alaska and Yakutat. Duties include working as a scientific diver on multiple weeklong surveys each year, working as a deckhand during fall shrimp surveys, maintaining skiffs and equipment, assisting with stock assessment and survey planning, and assisting developing novel research. The position may start as early as February, or as late as April each year.
Our organization, mission and culture: 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.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s mission is to manage, protect, maintain, and improve the fish, game and aquatic plant resources of Alaska. The primary goals are to ensure that Alaska’s renewable fish and wildlife resources and their habitats are conserved and managed on the sustained yield principle, and the use and development of these resources are in the best interest of the economy and well-being of the people of the state. The mission of the Division of Commercial Fisheries is 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, and subject to allocations through public regulatory processes.
This position is an integral member of the ADF&G Commercial Fisheries Dive & Shrimp Assessment Project and contributes to the success of the project by assisting in the collection of biological data used for fishery management and stock assessments, coordinating and participating in stock assessment surveys to assess stock health and set fishery harvest limits, and assisting with statistical analyses including developing stock assessments and analyzing trends in biological and harvest data. The results of this position’s work contribute directly to ensuring that fisheries are managed sustainably.
The benefits of joining our team: The Dive & Shrimp Assessment Project is an exciting, dynamic group made up of three full time fishery biologists and a team of over 15 research divers from other projects in the Commercial Fisheries division in Southeast Alaska. The incumbent would be part of this team that collaborates to gather data that is crucial to the management of dive and shrimp fisheries using at-sea surveys onboard large and small research vessels.
The working environment you can expect: This position is stationed in the ADF&G office in Douglas, Alaska. From April through August the position will work at sea as a research diver roughly every other week. From the last week of August through mid-October the position will work at sea as a deckhand for multiple surveys of approximately two weeks duration each. These surveys will aboard the department’s research vessels, the R/V Kestrel and R/V Medeia. When not at sea this position manages data quality control, assists with developing stock assessments and analyzing trends in biological and harvest data.
Who we are looking for: - Effective communicator and strong interpersonal skills: able to effectively communicate through oral and written skills with a variety of people. Ability to work cooperatively in a group, at times in close quarters for periods of up to two weeks at sea with a positive attitude.
- Scientific background, stock assessment and experimental design: experience assisting in designing and implementing stock assessment surveys, collecting and compiling data, and performing moderately complex data analyses to inform decisions about fisheries management.
- Experience with fishery research practices and of basic laboratory procedures and equipment.
- Research diving and at-sea experience: Experience, knowledge, and ability to scuba dive in a cold-water environment, using established safe diving practices, including the buddy system. Ability to safely operate small boats, especially as a tender to scuba divers, and ability to operate power tools and other field and research equipment. Ability to perform physically demanding work while on boats at sea, and to withstand inclement weather and other environmental conditions.
- Problem solver and detail oriented: proven ability to work with a high degree of independence and attention to detail. Ability to adapt general instructions to specific situations.
To view the general description and example of duties for a Fishery Biologist 1, please go to the following link: Special Note: - Valid Driver's License is required.
- An advanced level of scuba diving certification is highly desirable, which at a minimum includes training in dive rescue techniques. Minimum dive experience includes 50 open water dives and prior diving using a dry suit.
- First Aid/CPR/oxygen administration/AED training is required but may be obtained after selection at the expense of the department.
- Hiring for this position is conditional on the final applicant passing a dive medical exam. The employer will coordinate with the final candidate to obtain the required exam and will pay for or reimburse the cost.
- Requires frequent travel within the State (normally week-long trips every other week April -September).
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management.
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, 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.
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.
An individual who will complete the educational requirements and obtain the required bachelor's degree within six months may apply and be considered for a vacancy. Such applicants may be given a conditional job offer but may not be appointed until receipt of the required degree has been documented.
Additional Required Information
A cover letter is required for this position.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please provide at time of application submission:
- Copies of all college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable), if being used to meet the minimum qualifications.
- Professional cover letter documenting your experience in stock assessment, research diving, vessel-based field work, field research logistics, and the position-specific competencies listed above.
Please provide at the time of interview, if selected: - Three (3) professional or academic references with current contact information.
EDUCATION
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or within 48 hours of the close of this recruitment to the contact person listed below.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.
NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.
MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.
FIREARMS This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition. In accordance with the federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL 104-208), if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you may not hold this position.
A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is an offense that is (1) a misdemeanor under Federal or state law; and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.
If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do NOT apply for this position.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS For your application to be evaluated you must answer the Supplemental Questions. Be specific in your answers and tell us how you acquired the relevant experience. Please use complete sentences and proof-read your submissions when answering the supplemental questions. Your responses will be considered a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment process.
EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 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.
NOTICE
If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘govermentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at
WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to
[email protected].
For applicant password assistance please visit:
Contact Information
For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager:
Quinn Smith, Dive and Shrimp Research Project Leader
Phone: (907) 465-6393
[email protected]
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
The following information describes
typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.
For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)
Insurance Benefits - Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See for additional information.
- AVTEC
- Confidential
- Correctional Officers
- Marine Engineers
- Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
- Supervisory
- Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
- Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
- The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
- General Government
- Labor, Trades and Crafts
- Public Safety Employees Association
- Masters, Mates & Pilots
- Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Optional Insurance Benefits
- Group-based insurance premiums for
- Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
- Long-term and short-term disability
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
- Supplemental Survivor Benefits
- Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Retirement Benefits - Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
- Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
- Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
- Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
- Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
- Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options
See for additional information
Paid Leave & Other Benefits - Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
- Eleven paid holidays a year
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