Fishery Biologist 4 (PCN 117025)

The State of Alaska is hiring a Fishery Biologist 4 in Anchorage to lead the Research and Data Services Unit. Responsibilities include overseeing salmon biometrics, coordinating data requests, and training staff on reproducible science. The role involves communicating research results to various stakeholders and ensuring high-quality assessments for sustainable fishery management. The position supports the division's mission to manage Alaska's fisheries effectively.
This position is open to all Applicants.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting for a Fishery Biologist 4 located in Anchorage!

What you will be doing:
As the head of the Research and Data Services Unit in the Chief Fisheries Scientist for Salmon Office, this position works with a team of fisheries scientists, biologists, regional research coordinators, and senior-level biometricians to design, plan and perform research to support State of Alaska needs for sustainable management. This position is primarily responsible for oversight of the Division of Commercial Fisheries salmon biometrics unit; coordinating multi-regional data requests; leading efforts to rescue and resurrect historical data sets; and training staff with methods to implement reproducible science and analyses. This position is also responsible for effectively communicating results to diverse groups (scientists, managers, industry, and public), and authoring fisheries reports, technical publications, and external manuscripts.

Our organization, mission, and culture:
This position helps fulfill the division’s mission 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 by conducting scientifically sound assessments to help manage sustainable uses of Alaska’s fish, shellfish and aquatic plant resources.

To assist the division in pursuit of this mission, the leader of the Research and Data Services Unit responsibilities are to:
• Ensure that high quality and trustworthy research and assessment are used to manage salmon and other resources through supervising biometricians and by providing expert statistical and modeling input for salmon stock assessments, escapement goal development, and forecasting.
• Facilitate efforts to retrieve and archive historical data and samples so that they can be accessed and used for future management and research.
• Support ongoing activities of the division and department through concentrated and coordinated assistance to regional and headquarters staff; chiefly by:
• Providing technical assistance on scientific research including methodology, staffing, training, reporting requirements, and budget needs.
• Communicating stock assessment and research results with appropriate descriptions of uncertainty; and
• Providing neutral recommendations and associated risks to fishery managers, biologists, stakeholders, and the public in a clear and concise 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:
As part of the Chief Fisheries Scientist for Salmon Office, the incumbent is a member of a diverse, competent, and committed team of specialists who collaborate to develop and implement analyses for quantitative estimation of abundance, responsive harvest strategies, biological reference points, and guideline harvest levels for finfish species statewide. This position offers the incumbent a challenging and fulfilling, professional opportunity to collaborate with biologists, decision makers, scientists, and biometricians across state and federal agencies to ensure the best available science is used to sustainably manage the resources of the State of Alaska for the benefit of the people of Alaska.

The working conditions you can expect:
This full-time position will be based at the ADF&G office in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a dynamic position with work primarily performed at a computer in an office setting, with regular interactions with three world-class laboratories, the Salmon Ocean Ecology Program, biometricians, as well as ADF&G staff from other divisions, and outside collaborators. There is opportunity to travel to other parts of the state for meetings and, when possible, duties can include field sampling at remote locations or living and working aboard research vessels. This position occasionally requires time working outside normal business hours and on weekends for meetings and work sessions. We offer schedule flexibility and hybrid telework options.
• Requires frequent travel in-state (2-5 trips/year) and out-of-state (1-2 trips/year) typically 2-5 days in length for various meetings. These trips may include international travel to Canada.
• This position may require travel in small planes, watercraft, working in inclement weather, or at sea.
Who we are looking for:
The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience:
• Thorough knowledge of statistical, mathematical, and population dynamics theory along with the principles and techniques of quantitative biological research.
• An ability to use contemporary statistical coding tools (e.g., R, Python), knowledge of reproducible scientific principles and methods (e.g., git, markdown), and experience coordinating and curating large amounts of data.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for the presentation of scientific and policy issues to a diverse audience.
• Experience with preparing reports and publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven ability to work with a high degree of independence and as part of a team, and as a contributor to a positive and supportive working environment.
To view the general description and example of duties for a Fishery Biologist 4 please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Special Note:
A valid driver's license is required.
Valid passport for international travel and the ability to legally enter Canada.

About the Company:
State of Alaska