Fish and Wildlife Technician 5

Job Description

Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for this position increased by 3%. The wage listed in this job posting reflects the increase.

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 Wildlife Conservation is recruiting

for a Fish and Wildlife Technician 5 located in Anchorage, Alaska!

What you will be doing:

As a technician with the Gulf & Bering - Marine Mammal Program, you will assist with preparing for and conducting multiple field research and office-based projects throughout Alaska. This position manages operation of the Program’s fleet of skiffs (range 15 to 23 feet) and field equipment, including vessel scheduling, maintenance, preparedness, and modifications to suit the program’s needs. The position independently coordinates field logistics supporting research, including contracting with research vessel operators, acting as liaison between vessel crews and the science party, collaborating with Wildlife Biologists, and supervising Fish & Wildlife Technicians to prepare and execute field research. Depending on the fieldwork load, this position may perform duties year-round or may fill in support with desktop duties when fieldwork load is light.

Our organization, mission and culture:

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game fosters the highest standards of scientific integrity and promotes innovative, sustainable fish and wildlife management programs. The Gulf & Bering Marine Mammal Program contributes to the overall mission by advancing science to promote the sound management of marine mammals for the people of Alaska.  Our long-term research provides a credible, objective source of information for stakeholders including Alaska Native subsistence users, the wildlife viewing public, commercial fisheries, federal agencies tasked with monitoring populations, and other US and international collaborators.

The benefits of joining our team:

You will have an opportunity to hone your skills in all aspects of preparing for and conducting field research on unique animals in remote locations that are mostly unavailable to the general public. You will have a level of independence and be entrusted to lead aspects of our program such as maintaining outboard motors, skiffs, and trailers, maintaining field equipment, planning logistics for field deployments, and coming up with creative solutions to ensure research objectives can be met.

We're a small team with a number of collaborations among our peers so there may be opportunity to work with other federal and state agencies as well as non-government organizations.

The working environment you can expect:

This position is currently staffed in the ADF&G office located in Anchorage. An office is provided for desk work, and you will be responsible for managing the dedicated warehouse/maintenance shop. This position can require multiple bouts of extended travel (1-3 weeks per trip) away from the duty station, mostly during summer months, though additional time away may be possible during all seasons depending upon project needs.

Alaska's rugged coasts are subject to all types of meteorological events, regardless of season, and consequently our field work can occur during harsh and uncomfortable conditions including cool, foggy, windy, and downright wet weather. Field duties are generally conducted by small boat, though some locations or circumstances will require hiking on wet, muddy, primitive trails along steep slopes and near cliff edges. The daily field work schedule is tide/weather/daylight dependent, so it includes early mornings, late evenings, split shifts, weekend and holiday work. Access to professional medical care is not readily available, and emergency response time is measured in hours or days rather than minutes.

Requires ability to operate skiffs and back trailers.

Requires the ability to work in cold, wet, and otherwise in climate weather for extended periods

Who we are looking for:

Our ideal candidate will possess some or all of the following desired strengths:

Experience operating small skiffs in challenging conditions requiring strong situational awareness and a keen understanding of animal behavior so that researchers can work near large concentrations of wary animals. Previous experience observing, working with, or handling wildlife is helpful.

Experience procuring, building, modifying, and/or maintaining things like boats, outboard motors, cabins, sampling equipment, small engines, electronics, optics, etc.  Skills in the trades, such as small engine repair and maintenance, metal fabrication and welding, electrical, and carpentry is highly desirable. Skills with electronics such as cameras, computers etc. are helpful.

Experience with "off-the-grid" living aboard charter vessels or in remote field camps where meeting our research objectives is dependent upon our ability to be self-sufficient.  Candidate is expected to operate, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain project equipment such as skiffs, outboard motors, generators, electronics, and various living structures.

Experience using computers and software for inventory tracking, accessing technical manuals, writing SOPs, writing contracts, basic data entry, create summaries, generate figures and tables, writing basic reports. Ability to follow instructions or a protocol and produce a high-quality final product.

If you believe you would be a good for fir this position, we encourage you to apply. Your cover letter is the key to an interview for this position. All Desired Strengths listed above must be documented in your cover letter and applicant profile or your application will be processed as incomplete. If you do not have experience with one or more oof the strengths listed above, simply state so in your cover letter.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Fish and Wildlife Technician 5 please go

to the following link:

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

Special Note:

Valid driver's license required.

Training: CPR/first aid, gun/ammunition safety, boat safety, water safety, Wildlife Chemical immobilization training, Division of Wildlife Conservation Controlled Substance/Drug Handling training

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation or the equivalent.

AND

One year of experience as an advanced fish and wildlife technician or aide. With the State of Alaska, this experience is equivalent to Fish and Wildlife Technician 4.

OR

Six years of technical laboratory and/or field experience involving fish or wildlife research, management, or habitat protection; as a commercial fisher, guide, or trapper; or a subsistence hunter or fisher.

Substitutions:

An additional six months of work experience involving fish or wildlife, or outdoor manual labor or in a laboratory may substitute for the high school graduation. Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries, wildlife or habitat protection may substitute for a maximum of two years of technical laboratory or field experience, involving fish or wildlife research, management, or habitat protection.

Special Requirements:

Work may involve exposure to animals, insects, inclement weather, low level flying, traveling by boat or skiff, or contact with drugs or chemicals.  Housing may consist of bunkhouses, vessels, or wall tents. Positions are often full-time but may be seasonal or temporary.

Special Note:

"High school diploma equivalent" means one of the following: 1) a GED (general educational development); 2) completion of any basic adult education course equivalent to 480 class hours (16 weeks at 30 course hours per week); 3) acceptance in full standing by an accredited college or university; or 4) highest grade of school completed plus an amount of paid or volunteer experience that totals 12 years.

Fields of study comparable to fisheries, wildlife or habitat protection include aquaculture, biology, ichthyology, microbiology, ornithology, and zoolo