Fishery Biologist 3 (Kodiak Salmon and Herring Area Management Biologist - PCN 111035)

Full Job Description

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 3 (Kodiak Salmon and Herring area Management Biologist) located in Kodiak, Alaska!

What you will be doing:

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is seeking a skilled Fisheries Biologist 3 to lead the management of commercial and subsistence salmon and herring fisheries in the Kodiak Management Area (KMA).

This key leadership role involves designing, budgeting, planning, and implementing fisheries management activities, including issuing emergency orders in accordance with 11 Board of Fisheries-approved regulatory management plans to effectively regulate large-scale, multimillion-dollar salmon and herring fisheries.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Collecting and analyzing data critical to informed management decisions, including estimates of herring biomass and salmon escapement through aerial surveys in single-engine fixed-wing aircraft, vessel-based surveys from state-owned and contracted research vessels, and daily counts from salmon weir camps.
• Monitoring fleet effort, distribution, harvest rates, and total harvests through extensive communication with field biologists, technicians, fishermen, and processors via in-person contacts, phone, radio and email.
• Serving as the primary point of contact for complex or high-profile commercial fishery issues in the KMA, representing the department to agencies and the public.
• Determining and implementing necessary management actions (e.g., defining harvest areas, fishing periods or limits) in coordination with Federal Subsistence Managers, regional fisheries managers, research biologists, and sport fish managers.
• Supervising two Fisheries Biologist 2s and one Fisheries Biologist 1 responsible for operating four major salmon weirs (Karluk, Ayakulik, Upper Station, and Dog Salmon).
• Preparing comprehensive written reports and materials on area fisheries and projects, including harvest strategies, management plans, project operational plans, season summaries, annual management reports, escapement goal reports, and proposals for the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
• Delivering presentations on fisheries data, management strategies, and project outcomes to diverse audiences, including the Alaska Board of Fisheries, Kodiak Regional Planning Team, Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association, Federal Subsistence Board, local Native corporations and Tribal councils, Fish and Game Advisory Committee, and other stakeholder groups.
• Managing budgets for KMA commercial salmon and herring fishery projects, including apportioning and expending approximately $500,000 in annual general funds across multiple salmon and two herring projects.

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to play a central role in sustaining Alaska’s world-class fisheries resources while supporting vibrant coastal communities.

Our organization, mission, and culture:

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game 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.

This position is a professional-level Fisheries Biologist position with direct influence over Alaska’s valuable salmon and herring resources.

As a key member of the Kodiak salmon management team, you will conduct real-time assessments of local salmon and herring stocks during the fishing season, providing critical data to ensure commercial fishing activities are managed sustainably and support long-term resource health.

Benefits of joining our team:

This position leads a dedicated team of biologists and technical staff in managing the high-profile commercial salmon and herring fisheries of the Kodiak Management Area.

The role requires an incumbent skilled in navigating uncertainty and developing innovative solutions to complex management challenges.

Overseeing some of Alaska’s most productive and iconic salmon and herring stocks provides exceptional opportunities for professional growth and accomplishment, while delivering significant social and economic benefits to coastal communities.

The working conditions you can expect:

This permanent, full-time Fisheries Biologist 3 position (Area Management Biologist) is based in Kodiak, Alaska. The role involves extensive fieldwork in dynamic and remote environments, including:

• Multiple weeks aboard state research vessels conducting surveys and assessments for salmon and herring management.
• Several trips to remote field camps to assist with the installation, operation, and maintenance of salmon weirs.
• Approximately 20–50 hours per season of aerial survey flights in small, single-engine fixed-wing aircraft to enumerate salmon escapements and herring biomass.

This hands-on position demands adaptability to challenging weather and terrain, and a passion for fieldwork in one of Alaska's most iconic fisheries regions.

• Data includes compiling estimates of herring biomass or salmon escapement levels using aerial surveys, in single engine, fixed wing aircraft, vessel surveys from state owned research vessels and contracted vessels, foot surveys, and daily escapement counts from salmon weir camps.

Who we are looking for:

We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

To view the general description and example of duties for a Fishery Biologist 3 (Kodiak Salmon and Herring area Management Biologist)

please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

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

Must be able to legally carry and effectively use firearms.

First Aid/CPR. For those not already certified, training will be provided by the department at no cost to the employee.

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;

AND

One year of full performance professional experience as a biologist or fish culturist.

The required professional biologist work experience is met by service as a Fishery Biologist 2, Fish Culturist 2, Wildlife Biologist 2, Habitat Biologist 2, or Fisheries Geneticist 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

Substitution:

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.

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.

Qualifications

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please provide at time of application submission:

If selected, please provide the following at the time of the interview:

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is required for this position and will be used as a writing sample.

The cover letter should highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the position-specific competencies listed in the job description.

Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application, fax or email it to the contact provided in the job posting.

Your cover letter will be used to help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection 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.

EDUCATION

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competences, 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 EDUCATIONEducation 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’s 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 aids 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 & ASSISTANCEQuestions 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 to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit:

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

Additional Information

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

James Jackson

(907) 486-1813

jamesjackson@alaska.gov