Fishery Biologist 3/4 (Upper Cook Inlet Area Management Biologist- PCN 111022)

About the role

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting for a Fishery Biologist 3/4 position located in Soldotna, Alaska. This position is open to all applicants.

Responsibilities

• Lead management activities of commercial salmon, herring, razor clam, and smelt fisheries.
• Make inseason decisions based on data and information including sonar passage estimates, test fish CPUE data, aerial surveys, processor and fishermen catch reports, and analysis of historic catch and escapement trends.
• Write and issue up to 60 emergency orders each season to establish fishing periods and designate open and closed areas.
• Supervise an Assistant Area Management Biologist and a Program Technician.
• Oversight of the Offshore Test Fishery.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management.
• One year of full performance professional experience as a biologist or fish culturist.
• Knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories of aquatic life, including classification, taxonomy, population dynamics, distribution, habitat requirements, life histories, reproduction, behaviors, conservation, and care of aquatic species.
• Demonstrated fisheries management experience.
• Experience with Alaska Board of Fisheries or other regulatory processes.
• Ability to work effectively with numerous stakeholders and agency staff.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience with authoring fisheries management and/or technical reports.
• Experience with discussing information with the public and at scientific or policy meetings.
• The ability to deal with and effectively mitigate confrontational situations.

Qualifications

• A valid driver's license is required.
• This position may be in possession of, or have access to, firearms/ammunition.
• First Aid/CPR certification is provided by the department at no cost to the employee.
• Possession of a peace officer/law enforcement training is recommended but not required by law.

Skills

• Fishery Biology.
• Management of commercial salmon, herring, razor clam, and smelt fisheries.
• Authoring fisheries management and technical reports.
• Public speaking and discussion at scientific or policy meetings.
• Dealing with and mitigating confrontational situations.

Benefits

Integral to the sustainable management of salmon, herring, smelt, and clam resources of Upper Cook Inlet and the surrounding region. Management plans are complex and intertwined, requiring a dynamic and challenging environment to manage.

Pay

Starting salary will be determined by the level the position is hired at. If filled at Level 3, promotion to the Level 4 will occur upon successful completion of the probationary period and required training, as well as the applicant meeting the minimum qualifications of the higher job class.

Schedule

The working office in Soldotna is a moderately large area office and contains ~ 65 part and full time employees of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Daily office work occurs in a single building and field work occurs out on Cook Inlet or on the freshwater rivers nearby. A large shop and work area for fabrication of field gear and upkeep of vehicles is also on site.