Fishery Biologist ; PCN

This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

This position will be coordinating logistics for the Prince William Sound and Copper River field camps, assisting in achieving project goals connected to management of salmon fisheries, salmon enumeration and data entry into databases. It will also assist with fixed‑wing aerial surveys, fish ticket QA/QC and sonar size apportionment. The position runs from May 1 – September 14.

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 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 that the use and development of these resources are in the best interest of the economy and well‑being of the people of the state.

This position plays a critical role in collecting daily escapement numbers that area managers use to guide fishing openings and closures. Data collected by this position will be used to better provide sustainable and efficient fishing opportunities.

The incumbent will gain a diverse skill set working with commercial fisheries stock assessment projects, including resistance board and picket weirs, catch and escapement sampling, and ARIS sonar. The position also offers experience in logistical challenges across broad geographic regions and administrative tasks such as budget management, hiring, procurement, report writing, data management, and analysis. Overtime and state benefits are included.

This position is stationed in Cordova and the schedule will be variable, including weekends, nights, and overtime. The incumbent will frequently travel to remote field camps for setup, camp breakdown, and resupply trips, primarily by float plane or boat. The role may include catch sampling at fish processing facilities and occasional flight of fixed‑wing aerial surveys.

We are looking for an individual with the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Working knowledge of remote Alaskan fisheries assessment projects and experience with installation, maintenance, removal, and coordination of logistics for fish weirs and/or sonar enumeration operations.
• Knowledge of Pacific salmon biology and fisheries and ability to identify ocean‑bright Pacific salmon.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for diverse groups ranging from local fishery groups to scientific audiences.
• Strong organization skills and data management experience, including data entry, querying, error checking, and creation of pivot tables, charts, and graphs using spreadsheets and Word and Excel.
• Ability to learn new applications and databases.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Fishery Biologist 1, visit

A valid driver’s license is required.

The position may involve possession or use of firearms/ammunition.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management.

Substitution: A bachelor’s degree 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…