Fish and Wildlife Technician

The State of Alaska is hiring two seasonal Fish and Wildlife Technician 2's in Petersburg, AK, for port sampling from June to August. Responsibilities include collecting biological and fishery performance data from salmon and Dungeness crab landings, interacting with commercial fishermen, and ensuring safe handling of fish samples. The role requires attention to detail and a willingness to learn about fisheries management. Benefits include medical and dental coverage.
Job Description

This position is open to all Applicants.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting for two (2) Fish and Wildlife Technician 2’s located in Petersburg!

What you will be doing:
The Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries Division, is seeking to hire two 3-month seasonal Fish and Wildlife Technician 2’s to serve as port samplers from approximately June 9th to August 31st in Petersburg. These positions may continue to be active through September 12th, depending on the dynamics of the fisheries. Port sampling technicians will be responsible for collecting both biological and fishery performance data from commercially harvested salmon and Dungeness crab landings. The selected candidates will develop a working knowledge of the port sampling program in the Petersburg/Wrangell management area as well as an understanding of pertinent fisheries. Port sampling technicians will work at least 7.5 hours per day, 5 days a week (with potential opportunities for overtime) in the seafood processing plants and docks in Petersburg. Port sampling technicians will be required to interact with commercial fishermen, processing plant workers, and other ADF&G staff in a professional and respectful manner. Data collection will include fishery performance data obtained through interviewing permit holders, as well as collecting biological samples (such as scales and tissue) and evaluating salmon for coded-wire tags (CWT) using a CWT wand. Practicing safe handling and learning to identify all five species of pacific salmon in their ocean bright condition are integral skills for this position. The technicians’ work will be directed by the Petersburg/Wrangell Port Sampling Supervisor, Port Sampling Crew Leader, or the Regional Port Sampling Supervisor. Attention to detail and a willingness to learn are essential for these positions.

Our organization, mission and culture:
The Division of Commercial Fisheries strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and well-being are paramount, and employees at all levels promote a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully.

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 wellbeing of the citizens of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle and subject to allocations through public regulatory processes. The Division’s core service is to ensure the conservation of natural stocks of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants based on scientifically sound assessments.

This port sampling position assists in the collection of biological data from commercial salmon and shellfish landings. Data collections may include coded wire tags, fishery performance, pink salmon sex ratios, age-length data, otoliths, genetic samples, morphometric, and other biological data as directed. This information is used directly to manage State of Alaska fisheries. Some of our work is conducted as part of the Pacific Salmon Treaty and is considered the foundation on which the salmon management of Southeast Alaska is built.

The benefits of joining our team:
The State of Alaska is an excellent employer that offers benefits including medical, dental, access to retirement accounts, and accruement of leave.

This position provides an opportunity to learn about Southeast Alaska’s commercial fisheries and gain valuable experience in the industry. Many current Fishery Biologists began their employment with the Division of Commercial Fisheries at some level of the Fish and Wildlife Technician class. Working as a port sampling technician demonstrates the incumbent is detail-oriented and can work in a fast-paced environment, this is great experience for anybody wanting to begin a career in fisheries biology.

The Port Sampling program provides management biologists with real-time data that directly manages the State’s salmon fisheries, actively contributing to the conservation and preservation of Alaska’s salmon populations and fisheries.

The incumbent will be located in the picturesque town of Petersburg, Alaska. Petersburg offers fantastic fishing, hiking, and birding opportunities, all within a relatively close vicinity.

The working environment you can expect:
Much of the work is conducted at seafood processing facilities or on docks in loud, wet and slippery conditions, in inclement weather, around ropes, cables, suspended loads, and forklifts. On occasion this position performs work in the office. Multiple sampling programs are involved, and several different sampling forms must be filled out correctly. Most of the data is entered into electronic tablets in sampling applications, therefore proficiency using electronics is ideal. This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule that will be dependent on commercial fishery openings, closures, vessel, and seafood processing dynamics.
• Requires repetitive motion of hands and fingers, bending, lifting, pulling and pushing up to 50 pounds, twisting under load (weight), and at times, standing in one place for extended periods of time.
• Requires ability to work on docks and in seafood processing facilities in cold, wet, windy, and slippery conditions.
• Requires exposure to fish blood and viscera, pathogens, and sharp implements.
• Requires ability to work in loud conditions around moving machines, forklifts, and people.
• Requires the ability to work irregular hours, possibly early mornings and late evenings.

Who we are looking for:
Fishery Biology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of marine and aquatic life, including classification, taxonomy, population dynamics, distribution, habitat requirements, life histories, reproduction, behaviors, conservation, and care of marine and aquatic species.

Data Entry/Clerical: Knowledge of filing, typing, entering data, maintaining records, taking shorthand, and
using and completing forms.

Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to
individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the
information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing
oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and
responds appropriately.

Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Fish and Wildlife Technician 2 please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Special Note:
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• CPR/First Aid Certification. Training will be provided by the department after hire at no cost to the employee.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation or the equivalent.
OR
Three months as an entry level fish and wildlife technician or aide. With the State of Alaska, this experience is equivalent to Fish and Wildlife Technician 1.
OR
Six months of work experience involving fish, wildlife, outdoor manual labor, or in a laboratory.

Special Requirements:
Exposure to animals, insects, inclement weather, low level flying, travel by boat or skiff, or contact with drugs and chemicals may occur. Housing may consist of bunkhouses, vessels, or wall tents. Some duties may be restricted for employees under the age of 18 in accordance with State and federal child labor laws. Positions are seasonal or temporary.

Special Note:
“High school diploma equivalent” means one of the following: 1) a GED (general educational development); 2) completion of any basic adult education course equivalent to 480 class hours (16 weeks at 30 course hours per week); 3) acceptance in full standing by an accredited college or university; or 4) highest grade of school completed plus an amount of paid or volunteer experience that totals 12 years.

An individual who will complete the educational requirements and obtain the required high school diploma or equivalent within three 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

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Required at time of application submission:
• Please provide three (3) references with current contact information (names and daytime phone numbers).

A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

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.

EDUCATION

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, 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 used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts).

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.

WORK EXPERIENCE

If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer 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.

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 https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

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 torecruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

Contact Information

For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager:

Daison Weedop

daison.weedop@alaska.gov