Fishery Biologist​/Area Groundfish-Shellfish Research Biologist - PCN

The State of Alaska is hiring a Fishery Biologist 3 for the Division of Commercial Fisheries, focusing on groundfish and shellfish research in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet. The role involves conducting research surveys, managing fisheries sustainably, and collaborating with management staff. This position is open only to Alaska residents and requires working from either Homer or Cordova, Alaska, with responsibilities including data analysis and report writing.
Position: Fishery Biologist 3 (Area Groundfish-Shellfish Research Biologist 3 - PCN 111258)
Location: Alaska

Fishery Biologist 3 (Area Ground fish-Shellfish Research Biologist 3 - PCN 111258)

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.
Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting for a Fisheries Biologist 3 (Area Ground fish-Shellfish Research Biologist
3) located in Cordova or Homer!

What you will be doing:

The essential purpose of this position is to serve as the Central Region Ground fish and Shellfish Research Biologist in Prince William Sound (PWS) and Cook Inlet (CI)). This position will be located either in Homer or Cordova, Alaska. The ground fish and shellfish group offers a diversity of duties from conducting assessment surveys on board department research vessels to assess diverse commercial fisheries including spot shrimp, tanner crab, sea cucumber, scallops, rockfish, pollock, Pacific cod, and more.

Biologists looking for experience assessing a dynamic array of fisheries, participating in research surveys at sea, working in a team environment, and doing a job that can make a difference are encouraged to apply. This position works with area management staff to ensure these stocks are managed sustainably. The incumbent is responsible for developing ground fish and shellfish research projects, analyzing data, and writing reports.

This individual serves as the technical expert for shrimp, crab, scallop and ground fish within the southcentral Region and pursues external funding to improve or expand our stock assessments.

Our organization, mission, and culture:

This is a professional level biologist position that will provide an exciting diversity of fisheries experiences and challenges. Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet support a variety of dynamic commercial fisheries for ground fish and shellfish, and the incumbent will contribute directly to the Division’s mission by working with fisheries managers, biometricians, and regulatory boards to manage stocks in a sustainable manner.

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.

Benefits of joining our team:

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic group of management and research biologists working together to address pressing fisheries challenges such as managing data limited fisheries, bycatch issues, limited entry, and port sampling at a large spatial scale across multiple fisheries. You can expect to travel to scenic locations on the waterfronts of Prince William Sound, the North Gulf Coast, and Cook Inlet such as Seward, Whittier, and Cordova as well as spend time on research vessels in remote areas of Alaska.

The Division of Commercial Fisheries ground fish and shellfish team offers a balanced combination of institutional knowledge and new perspectives to address the fisheries challenges mentioned above.

The working conditions you can expect:

This position will work out of the Homer or Cordova ADF&G office but will assist in the management of fisheries across Prince William Sound. Opportunities for travel will be frequent and field work on board research vessels will include Cook Inlet the opportunity to participate in pot surveys for shrimp, trawl surveys for Tanner crab, as well as other surveys as assessment needs and funding arise.

Interaction with the general public in the ADF&G office will be frequent and you will also work closely with the area manager to improve and interpret stock assessments. The opportunity for a flexible schedule exists, however many working days will be determined by sampling dynamics within fisheries and participation in regulatory meetings. Opportunity for work aboard research vessels will take place mostly in the Summer and Fall.

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;

AND

One year of full performance professional experience as a biologist or fish culturist. The…