Fishery Biologist ; Field Monitor - PCN

Overview

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 1 located in Fairbanks, Alaska!

This Fishery Biologist 1 position (11 months) serves as the Field Monitor in the Upper Yukon River drainage and is based in Fairbanks, Alaska. This position has the opportunity to enjoy Interior Alaska summers while leading a variety of fisheries fieldwork and assisting Yukon and Tanana River fishermen in the Fairbanks ADF&G office. This position leads a Fish and Wildlife Technician 2 to help monitor the personal use, subsistence, and commercial salmon and nonsalmon fisheries in the Yukon and Tanana rivers.

In late summer through early winter, this position leads salmon enumeration surveys throughout the Yukon River drainage during aerial (helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft), river boat, and foot (river walks) surveys. As research projects arise in the Yukon River drainage, this position has an opportunity to participate and gain fisheries career skills.

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 fisheries tasks associated with this position will contribute to the management decisions that provide fishing opportunities for over 55 Alaskan communities in the Yukon River drainage. The diverse fisheries data collected will help to manage for wild, sustainable salmon runs. This position engages with Alaskan residents that rely on salmon along the river system to share information about personal use, subsistence, and commercial fisheries.

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.

The State of Alaska is an excellent employer that offers benefits, including medical and retirement. In working with salmon populations and residents of the largest river system of Alaska, this position provides a solid foundation of fundamental fisheries career skills to allow growth within the department.

This position offers a balance of office and fieldwork, primarily based out of the Fairbanks ADF&G office. Tasks include conveying fishing schedules and salmon run strength information to the public, issuing subsistence and personal use fishing permits, assisting commercial fishermen with registration and licensing, entering fisheries data, and planning fieldwork logistics. Compile and analyze fisheries data that contribute to management decisions for subsistence, personal use, and commercial fisheries in the Yukon River drainage.

Fieldwork typically involves travel between Fairbanks and Delta Junction with potential for remote field sites for multiple days or weeks along the Yukon and Tanana rivers. Occasional outdoor fieldwork includes driving riverboats and snowmobiles to remote sites, documenting fishing effort, checking regulations, and collecting biological samples as needed. From late July to early December, lead spawning salmon surveys in the Lower and Middle Yukon River (up to 10 days), Tanana River drainage, and Upper Yukon River (infrequent).

Surveys may include walking on riverbeds up to 8 hours weekly, helicopter and fixed-wing flights, and riverboat travel. Routine maintenance and minor repairs on outboard motors, four-wheelers, trailers, and snowmobiles may be required.

• During fieldwork you may be exposed to wild animals, biting insects, and inclement weather. Flying in small aircraft, river travel, and camping at remote sites are required.
• This position requires the ability to repetitively lift fish and gear up to 50 pounds, walk up to 9 miles on uneven ground in temperatures from 90 to
  -20, and work irregular hours including weekends or evenings.
• Frequent travel is required for fieldwork (single day, multi-day, or multi-week).

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

• Experience driving 16 to 24-foot outboard skiffs (35-150 HP) on rivers, driving snowmobiles, loading/unloading boats and snowmobiles on trailers, and performing basic motor maintenance.
• Experience using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook), ArcGIS, and R. Experience with data entry, computations, mapping, and writing.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to explain complex fishing assessment data, regulations, and fishing schedules to the public.
• Ability to conduct spawning salmon surveys by distinguishing species, counting salmon, walking on riverbeds for 2 to 9…