Fishery Biologist 2

What you will be doing:
This position assists with salmon research and management for the Prince William Sound/Copper River management area. The incumbent is responsible for helping develop preseason outlooks and inseason forecasts used to manage sockeye, Chinook, coho, pink, and chum salmon stocks in Prince William Sound/Copper River and supervising seasonal technicians and biologists for multiple projects. This position also conducts aerial surveys, responds to public and fishery stakeholder inquiries, has EO authority for in season management actions, fills in for area management biologists, and helps draft numerous reports.

Our organization, mission and culture:
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 the use and development of these resources are in the best interest of the economy and well-being of the people of the state.

The position is a critical participant in salmon stock assessment through low altitude aerial surveys in PWS and the Copper River Delta and through the supervision of one salmon escapement monitoring field camps: the Coghill Lake weir camp in western PWS. This position is also responsible for the reconciliation and compilation of commercial fish ticket.

The benefits of joining our team:
This position offers the successful applicant the opportunity to acquire commercial fishery management experience and to develop a technical understanding of fishery biology as it relates to the management and research of commercial fisheries. The incumbent will gain experience, and a diverse skill set working with a variety of commercial fisheries stock assessment projects necessary for sustainable Alaska fisheries, including resistance board and picket weirs, catch and escapement sampling, and ARIS sonar, while also learning how to deal with all of the logistical challenges of executing projects across broad geographic regions. This in combination with learning the administrative aspects of the job such as budget management, hiring, procurement, report writing, data management and analysis will allow the incumbent to gain all the necessary skills to comfortably step into higher level biologist positions in the future. This position includes flex time as well as state benefits.

This is not just an 8-5 job – the successful applicant will be an integral part of a traditional Alaskan coastal fishing community.

The working environment you can expect:
The Cordova office is a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment during the commercial fishing season, and a slower-paced, normal work week (M-F, 40 hrs/week) during the offseason. Work schedules will be variable and include weekends and nights, either working in the office or in the field. The incumbent will assist with management decisions and data needs, flying escapement surveys, and field work, ensuring that harvest and escapement sampling and escapement enumeration are timely and conducted to the highest standards.

The incumbent will be required to fly low level aerial surveys in a small fixed-wing aircraft. The position may spend up to a week at a time between May and August at a variety of field camps in Prince William Sound and the Copper River drainage leading project operation.

Who we are looking for:

• A working knowledge of Alaskan commercial salmon fishery management strategies and issues.
• Experience flying in small, fixed wing aircraft to conduct escapement surveys.
• Experience with hiring, supervising, and evaluating employees.
• Good communication skills: Strong oral and written communication skills for diverse groups ranging from local fishery groups to scientific audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and data management experience. Work experience entering data, querying and error checking relational databases, and creating technical reports using spreadsheets and word processing in Microsoft Word and Excel.

• A valid driver's license is required.
• Must be able to legally carry and effectively use firearms.
• Attend Peace Officer/Law Enforcement training to become a State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game Peace Officer; and
• Obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR certification. Training will be provided by the department at no cost to the employee after hire.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Required at time of application submission:

• Cover letter

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

• List of three (3) professional references with current contact information.
• Copies of all college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable), if being used to meet the minimum qualifications.
  

A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter should highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the key responsibilities and desired strengths 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 it to the contact number 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.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
For your application to be evaluated you must answer the Supplemental Questions. Be specific in your answers and tell us how you acquired the relevant experience. Please use complete sentences and proof-read your submissions when answering the supplemental questions. Your responses will be considered a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment 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/competencies, 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 with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education 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 when applying. Omission of required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.

WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer 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 aides 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 athttps://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions 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 torecruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit:https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year