Fisheries Scientist 1 (Fisheries Scientist for Chinook Salmon )

Job Description

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 Fisheries Scientist 1 located in Juneau!

What you will be doing:

This Fishery Scientist I serves as the State of Alaska’s lead technical expert on Chinook salmon stock and fishery assessments associated with the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) and represents Alaska as U.S. Co-Chair of the Pacific Salmon Commission Chinook Technical Committee (CTC). The position leads and reviews technical work involving the coastwide Chinook Model, stock assessment, coded-wire tags, genetic stock identification, harvest and exploitation rates, and estimates of hatchery and wild stock contributions to fisheries. The incumbent provides scientific and biometric oversight of Chinook assessment programs, including study design, sampling methods, data analysis, and technical review to ensure scientifically sound results. The position works closely with ADF&G and federal, state, tribal, and Canadian fisheries agencies and provides technical advice to department leadership and the Pacific Salmon Commission. The incumbent also supervises one biometrician, including assigning work, setting priorities, providing technical direction and training, and evaluating performance.

Our mission, values and culture:

The Fishery Scientist 1 provides scientific expertise to support sustainable management of Alaska’s Chinook salmon fisheries. The position conducts and reviews stock assessments and modeling to help secure Alaska’s Chinook salmon catch allocation while maintaining wild stocks and serves as Alaska’s lead technical representative on the Pacific Salmon Commission Chinook Technical Committee.

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 benefits of joining our team:

As part of the Chief Fisheries Scientist for Salmon (CFS) Office, this position works with a collaborative team of scientists and biometricians to apply technology, statistics, research, and analysis to real-world fisheries assessment and management challenges across Alaska. The position offers the opportunity to contribute expertise beyond its primary area of focus while working with scientists and decisionmakers across state and federal agencies to ensure the best available science supports sustainable management of Alaska’s fisheries resources.

The working environment you can expect:

Based in Juneau, Alaska, this position offers a unique combination of technical fisheries work, collaboration, and opportunities to experience Southeast Alaska firsthand. The work includes regular time in the Juneau office, some telework flexibility, and approximately 10 weeks of annual travel to meetings in Canada, Washington, and Oregon, with occasional evening or weekend commitments. When opportunities arise, the position may also step beyond the office to visit remote field projects or work aboard research vessels—all while calling Alaska’s capital city, surrounded by mountains, ocean, and exceptional outdoor opportunities, home. Requires frequent travel in-state (2-3 trips/year) and out-of-state (3-6 trips/year) typically 2-5 days in length for various meetings.  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:

Extensive knowledge of the theories, principles, concepts, methods, procedures, and techniques of fisheries science research, statistical analysis, sampling design, and population modeling.

Experience supervising other scientific professionals and ability to lead a group in a new direction.

Thorough knowledge of Pacific Salmon Commission processes involving Chinook salmon (e.g., Pacific Salmon Treaty language, the CTC Chinook Model, estimation of exploitation).

Strong oral and written communication skills for the presentation of scientific and policy issues to a wide range of audiences.

Proven ability to work with a high degree of independence, as part of a team, and as a contributor to a positive and supportive working environment.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Fisheries Scientist 1 please go to the following

link:

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

Special Note:

Valid driver's license required.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. degree in fisheries science or fisheries biology or any closely related discipline such as, but not exclusively, biometrics, fish pathology, fisheries genetics, fisheries economics or wildlife science.

AND

Three years of experience conducting fisheries research at the lead or supervisory level equivalent to a Fishery Biologist 3, Biometrician 2, Fish Pathologist 2 or Fisheries Geneticist 2 with the State of Alaska.

OR

A masters degree in fisheries science or fisheries biology or any closely related discipline such as, but not exclusively, biometrics, fish pathology, fisheries genetics, fisheries economics or wildlife science.

AND

Five years of experience conducting fisheries research at the lead or supervisory level equivalent to a Fishery Biologist 3, Biometrician 2, Fish Pathologist 2 or Fisheries Geneticist 2 with the State of Alaska.

Special Note:

Degree preference is for a Ph.D. with emphasis on population dynamics of fishery resources.

Definitions of degree fields:

Biometrics: a branch of biology involving the statistical analysis of biological observations and phenomena.

Ecology: a branch of biology concerned with the interrelationship of organisms to their environment, however for the purpose of this classification series, the degree must focus on animals versus human groups.

Fish pathology: the study of the essential nature of diseases of fish.

Fisheries genetics: a branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of fish species.

Fisheries science: knowledge of multiple disciplines obtained and attested through scientific method and applied to the act, process, occupation or season of taking fish.

Fishery biology: a branch of biology that deals with the origin, history, physical characteristics, life processes, habits, etc., of fish as it applies to the act, process, occupation or season of taking fish.

Additional Required Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please provide at time of application submission:

A resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

College transcripts (unofficial is acceptable)

Cover letter (which will also be used as an additional writing sample)

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

A list of current contact information for three (3) professional references, one of whom must be someone you have supervised.

At least two (2) examples of professional and technical writing for which you are the sole or senior author.

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is required for this position and will be used as a writing sample.

In your cover letter please describe your reason(s) for applying for the position and clearly identify how your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences relate to the job described in the posting. Your cover letter will serve as an additional example of your writing and communication capabilities and will be used to help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application, fax or email it to the contact provided in the job posting.

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