Fishery Biologist 2

The State of Alaska is hiring a Fishery Biologist 2 in Fairbanks, AK, for residents only. The role involves managing fall chum and coho salmon fisheries, supervising staff, and conducting research. The position includes fieldwork in Emmonak for up to 1.5 months. The mission focuses on sustainable fisheries management for over 55 communities. Benefits include health insurance and leave. The work environment is collaborative and office-based with field assessments.
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 Fishery Biologist 2 located in Fairbanks, Alaska!


What you will be doing:


This position serves as the Yukon Area Fall Season Assistant Area Biologist in Fairbanks, with up to 1.5 months working at a field office in Emmonak (July and August), near the Yukon River mouth. This position assists the Yukon Area Fall Season Area Manager in managing fall chum and coho salmon subsistence, commercial, and personal use fisheries in the Yukon River and non-salmon fisheries in the Upper Yukon Area. This position is part of the management and research team that evaluates complex fisheries assessment and harvest data to make informed decisions on the managing Yukon River fisheries stocks for sustained yield.


This position supervises technical and biological staff in fisheries monitoring and research efforts in the Upper Yukon Area, test fishing assessment in the Lower Yukon Area, permit issuing (subsistence, personal use, and commercial) and fisheries harvest data collection.


Our mission, values, 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 well-being 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.


As the Yukon Fall Season Assistant Area Management Biologist, the incumbent’s work contributes to the division’s mission and goals by overseeing the area’s sustainable fisheries management programs and the collection of biological data from stock assessment projects used directly to manage the fall season. This work is vital to provide sustainable fishing opportunities for over 55 Alaskan communities in the Yukon River drainage.


Benefits of joining our team:


The State of Alaska is an excellent employer that offers benefits, including health insurance and accruement of leave. The incumbent will work with a team of dedicated, hardworking professionals that work together towards the common goal of sustaining Alaska’s fish resources and the fisheries that depend on them.


The Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Region-3 management staff is a close-knit team of highly experienced professionals that collaborate with a diverse group of fishery biologists and scientists across state and federal agencies to ensure the best available science is being utilized to inform the management process.


The working environment you can expect:


This position is staffed in the ADF&G Fairbanks office with up to 1.5 months of inseason management occurring out of the Emmonak field office along the scenic Yukon River.


The daily work environment is fluid but will include working in an office setting to answer fisheries assessment and regulatory questions, overseeing the fisheries permitting programs, participating in frequent management meetings, and representing the department at public meetings. Occasionally in the summer, fall, and winter this position will conduct fisheries fieldwork by small aircraft, riverboat (16 to 24-foot, 35-150 HP), all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobile in varying weather conditions. Travel will be required to participate in various meetings and conduct remote fieldwork.


This position will occasionally require time working outside of normal business hours and on weekends. This position is required to travel to remote locations and rural communities throughout the Yukon Area to conduct outreach, train staff, conduct fisheries fieldwork, and participate in management activities. Travel is by open skiff, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, fixed wing aircraft, and helicopter.


Working hours during the field season are often irregular and exposure to inclement weather, wildlife, and voracious critters may occur. This position requires the ability to handle firearms and pepper spray, and potentially use them for bear defense. This position requires the ability to repetitively lift fish and gear up to 50 pounds and walk distances (up to 9 miles) on uneven ground.


Who we are looking for:


We are looking for a candidate tha