Fisheries Biologist (Full Time Seasonal)

Team: DENR Salary Range: $26.00-$32.00/hr. DOE

Reports to: Natural Resources Coordinator Schedules: Temporary, Full Time,

Salary Status: Non-Exempt from Overtime

Responsibilities/Duties

• Lead a research team to work safely and effectively as a group.

• Collect reliable and accurate data following established protocols.

• Safely navigate vessels on the Copper River.

• Live and work at a remote Alaskan field camp continuously for up to three months.

• Identify repairs and help maintain an operational remote field site including building

• Operate research fishwheels or a fish trap for capturing and tagging adult salmon.

• Successfully identify adult Pacific salmonids to species level at any point in their

• Lead a crew to accomplish the following sampling activities; apply PIT tags and collect

collect biometrics, fat content, and genetic samples on Sockeye salmon and/or; enumerate

salmon passage and collect biometrics at a weir.

• Assist with telemetry tracking and receiver operation.
  

• Identify regional flora/fauna.

• Logistical support including, but not limited to, helicopter sling loading, purchasing gear and

remote sites, participating in safety briefings, camp mobilization/demobilization, camp

operation and maintenance, oversee remote communications protocols of the field site.

• Other duties as developed and assigned.
  

Competencies/Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

The incumbent must have: the ability to take direction from off-site supervisors and work in a

team environment; the ability to lead a diverse crew in a remote environment while maintaining

camp safety and team morale; ability to live and work harmoniously with a small group of peers

in a tobacco/drug/alcohol-free environment; ability to work well in a remote environment with

minimal privacy and limited communication resources; ability to work for long hours over

difficult terrain in inclement weather; proficiency in carrying firearms as a bear deterrent;

knowledge and skills to operate a variety of power boats with a high level of competence, swift

water boating experience is preferred; ability to safely operate boats single-handed or safely

laden with personnel, gear, and/or equipment; ability to properly maintain engines, boats, tools

and equipment; ability to do basic troubleshooting, and make field repairs to mechanical and

electrical equipment including outboard motors, generators, computers, alternative energy

systems, appliances, etc. Must have a knowledge of basic power tool operation and the ability to

complete work safely and efficiently using power and hand tools. Must have strong knowledge

of The Scientific Method, with an emphasis on techniques for aquatic biological research and

analysis; strong research, writing and verbal communication skills, including experience with

data quality assurance/quality control, scientific report writing, and proposal writing; Strong

computer literacy, including working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GIS,

statistical software, internet browsing and email applications. Must have the physical ability to

work long hours outdoors, with strength, endurance, and patience to continually lift and carry

very heavy objects over uneven terrain routinely.

Experience Requirement

Required

Minimum two years’ experience with remote field research, hands-on sampling, and rigorous

scientific data collection. Must have boat operation proficiency. Must have experience

supervising subordinate technicians or extensive remote field work experience that clearly

demonstrates progression of skills required to lead a remote field site.

Preferred

Three months or more working at remote Alaskan field sites, building, maintaining and operating

sampling gear, fish tagging, collecting biometric data and collecting specimens, aquatic

invertebrate sampling, aquatic plant sampling, plankton sampling, water quality sampling, water

gauging. Experience with fisheries/wildlife research, including trapping and handling of large

fish, mammals and birds, collecting specimens, telemetry, and identifying Alaskan mammals and

birds; Professional experience working in remote locations in the Alaskan outdoors; Experience

working with Alaskan Tribes, and knowledge of subsistence resources.

Education Requirement

M.S. in a closely related scientific field with experience working on complex research projects in

remote areas, OR B.S. with 1 years’ experience leading and managing remote field crews in

data collection.

Performance Standard

The position requires a considerable amount of physical activity while conducting fieldwork,

including hiking and climbing over difficult terrain and the position requires that applicants are

in sufficient condition to perform these physically demanding tasks. The use of hand, eye and

muscle coordination to safely operate boats, power and hand tools is required.

Environmental Factors

Possibility of remote/cold water survival situations. Work will include exposure to severe

weather (heat, cold and wet), hazards associated with power tools, hazards associated with traps

to collect fish and wildlife, and working in areas containing large predators. Work may be

conducted in remote settings, on technical rivers, marine habitats, rainforests, glaciers, and/or

snowpack, near frozen rivers and lakes, wetlands, and in office settings. This position entails

risks of injury from using power tools and operating small boats on swift water as well as normal

risks of physical labor done in the remote outdoors.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts NVE’s right to assign or reassign duties and

responsibilities to this job at any time. By signing below, I acknowledge receipt of this job

description and that my supervisor has discussed it with me.