Fishery Biologist 1/2

The State of Alaska is hiring a Fishery Biologist 1/2 in Soldotna, AK, to lead a team in generating sonar estimates of Chinook Salmon. Responsibilities include data collection, site maintenance, and report writing. The position offers a flextime agreement for the field season from May to August. The role involves both office work and outdoor fieldwork, contributing to the management of Alaska's fishery resources.
This position is open to all applicants.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish is recruiting for a Fishery Biologist 1/2 located in Soldotna!

What you will be doing:
Fishery Biologist 1: This position leads a crew of technicians under the direct supervision of the Region 2 Sonar Biologist to generate daily sonar passage estimates of Chinook Salmon on the Kenai River using up to 5 ARIS systems. The position will collect data, gas generators, oversee site maintenance, share responsibility for remote monitoring and daily estimate generation for distribution. This position will assist writing reports, modifying batch files and SAS code, help transition current code in R. This position will have a flextime agreement for the field season 1 May-30 August.

Fishery Biologist 2: This position is responsible for monitoring, operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining ARIS systems in the Kenai area of Upper Cook inlet. This position will hire, supervise, and evaluate 2 Fish and Wildlife Technicians 2 and 1 FWT3 for the 1 May-30 August field season. This position will write annual Fisheries Data Series reports summarizing in season operations and post season analyses. This position manages project specific budgets. This position will have a flextime agreement for the field season 1 May-30 August

Our organization, mission and culture:
In terms of our values, 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 Sport Fish is to protect and improve the state’s sport fishery resources.

This position contributes to the department’s missions and goals by assisting with the production of Chinook salmon passage estimates that are used by fisheries managers for in season harvest regulation and by research staff to monitor stock health and project future returns.

The benefits of joining our team:
The State of Alaska is an excellent employer that offers benefits, including medical/dental and accruement of leave. This position offers the chance to join a dedicated hard-working team of professionals that monitor and sustains salmon stocks. The incumbent will be working with cutting edge sonar technologies, generating data that helps regulate one of the most popular Chinook salmon fisheries in the world.

The working environment you can expect:
This position is staffed in Soldotna and is based out of the main office. The daily work environment is dynamic and may include working at a desk in an office setting, purchasing fuel for site generators, and visiting semi-remote field sites to monitor data collection, maintain the field site and equipment, and retrieve electronic data for processing back at the office. This position will require working outdoors and/or occasionally outside normal business hours and field work conditions may include operating highway vehicles with trailers and river boats, wading in swift currents, and working outdoors in inclement weather. Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 lbs. and be physically fit enough to participate in camp deployment and breakdown.

Who we are looking for:
Fishery Biologist 1
• Experience working in a field camp setting including maintaining or troubleshooting project equipment such as electronics, outboard motors, generators; and power tools.
• This position requires extensive use of computers. The incumbent should feel comfortable working at a computer for most of the day.
• Experience operating skiffs with outboard motors in a riverine environment
• Experience collecting or processing data.
• Strong work ethic of attendance, punctuality, and productivity.

Fishery Biologist 2
• Experience operating ARIS or other sonar systems in the field for data collection
• Experience operating, maintaining and budgeting projects in a semi-remote location.
• Experience/skills with computers including processing software and coding ability.
• Experience operating vehicles with trailers and skiffs with outboard motors.
• Experience preparing and publishing scientific reports.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Fishery Biologist 1/2 please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Special Notice:
A valid driver's license is required.

This position may be in possession of, or have access to, firearms/ammunition.

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 professional experience as a biologist or fish culturist. The required professional biologist experience is met by service as a Fishery Biologist 1, Fish Culturist 1, Wildlife Biologist 1, or Habitat Biologist 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

Substitutions:

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.

A master's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management, will substitute for the required year of professional level biologist experience. An individual who will complete the educational requirements and obtain the required master'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.

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.

Additional Required Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Required at time of application submission:
• Cover Letter
• Educational Transcripts (unofficial copy is sufficient).

If selected, required at the time of the interview:
• 3 professional references including names and current contact information.

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter should highlight knowledge, skills, and experience as they pertain to the key responsibilities and desired strengths listed in the job description. Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online. In order to advance to the interview phase of the recruitment you must document how you meet the minimum qualification for this position in your cover letter.

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.

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.

Flexible Staffing
This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.

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 athttps://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:

Brandon Key

Phone (907) 260-2942

Brandon.key@alaska.gov

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 https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html 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 https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits
• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year