Job Description

Posting number: 54903

Department: Fish & Game

Division: COF-R1 Sitka Point Alex

Job classification: Fishery Biologist 3

Posting type: Open

Categories: Research, Sciences, Wildlife

Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for this position increased by 2.5%. The wage listed in this job posting reflects the increase.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting

for a Fishery Biologist 3 located in Sitka, Douglas, Ketchikan, or Petersburg, Alaska!

What you will be doing:
The Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is seeking a Groundfish Project Leader to oversee the management and research of groundfish in Southeast Alaska. This Fishery Biologist 3 position is responsible for:

• Leading the Southeast Groundfish Project by directing fishery management, stock assessment, research, budgeting, and staff supervision for groundfish fisheries in Southeast Alaska and Yakutat.
• Managing commercial groundfish fisheries by analyzing biological and fishery data, establishing harvest levels, issuing emergency orders, and ensuring sustainable fisheries.
• Planning, conducting, and overseeing scientific research and stock assessment programs to support management of sablefish, rockfish, lingcod, Pacific cod, flatfish, and other groundfish species.
• Supervising three Fishery Biologist 2 positions and ensuring the successful implementation of research and management priorities of the overall Groundfish Project team.
• Representing the department by collaborating with state, federal, and international partners, presenting scientific findings, and communicating with industry, advisory groups, Board of Fisheries, and the public.

Our mission, values, and culture:
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 state's citizens, in accordance with the sustained yield principle. The individual in this position contributes to achieving this mission by 1) proposing and/or evaluating policies and practices related to groundfish management and research activities in Southeast Alaska to ensure adherence to the highest scientific and statistical standards; 2) ensuring that results and reports include appropriate descriptions of uncertainty, provide evidence-based recommendations, and discuss associated risks; 3) fostering collaborations within ADF&G, with stakeholders, the public, and various government agencies; and 4) effectively communicating results and recommendations to department leadership and stakeholders.

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 benefits of joining our team:
This position offers the opportunity to lead an important fisheries management and research program with meaningful influence on the conservation and sustainable use of Alaska's groundfish resources. This position works alongside experienced scientists, biometricians, and resource managers while collaborating with state, federal, international, and industry partners. The position provides opportunities for professional growth through leadership, scientific research, policy development, and participation in regional, national, and international fisheries management forums. Fieldwork, vessel-based research, and public engagement provide a diverse and rewarding work experience. Flexible work schedules and limited telework opportunities may be available depending on operational needs.

The working environment you can expect:
This position may be based in Douglas, Sitka, Ketchikan, or Petersburg, Alaska, and combines office-based scientific, analytical, and administrative work with seasonal field research conducted aboard chartered commercial fishing vessels and research vessels throughout Southeast Alaska and Yakutat, as well as biological sampling and data collection at shore-based seafood processing facilities. Occasional in/out of state travel is required for surveys, meetings, and conferences, and time working outside normal business hours and on weekends is occasionally required. This position may require travel in small planes, watercraft, working in inclement weather, or at sea.

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

• Analysis and Assessment: Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, maintaining, and disseminating data and information.
• Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Professionalism: Consistently displays the collection of competencies and skill expected of a professional. Professionalism is defined by its key behaviors including being accountable for actions and assigned projects; practicing efficient work habits to effectively manage time and workload; clearly communicating and expressing thoughts and ideas in writing and in person; possessing the ability to understand how non-verbal communication impacts the workplace; working effectively as part of a team to achieve productive outcomes; and consistently demonstrating, emotional intelligence, integrity, and ethical behavior.
• Scientific Research: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Supervision: Plans, distributes and monitors work assignments; sets task priorities; evaluates work performance and provides feedback to others on their performance; ensures that staff are appropriately selected, utilized, and developed, and that they are treated in a fair and equitable manner. Assignments include the authority and responsibility to recommend or independently take action to employ (i.e., appoint, transfer, promote), discipline or discharge, or adjudicate grievances of direct reports.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Fishery Biologist 3, please go to the

following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Special Note:

• A valid Driver's License is required.
• First Aid/CPR training is required. Provided by the department at no cost to the employee.

Examples of duties

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:

1. A copy of your most recent performance evaluation.

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter should highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and demonstrated experience as they pertain to the 5 competencies for fisheries biology as listed above in the "Who we are looking for section." Limited to one page. Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application, 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 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.

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 & 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 to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit:

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

Supplemental information