Fishery Biologist 1

Job Description

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

Department Employees Only.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish is recruiting

for a Fishery Biologist 1 located in Homer, Alaska!

What you will be doing:

This fishery biologist 1 position based out of the Homer office with the management group in the Division of Sport Fish. This position leads all field aspects of the Ninilchik River Chinook salmon broodstock collection program, including leading technicians stationed on the project and the operation of two weirs and broodstock collection equipment. This position is also responsible for operational planning and assisting with reporting, data finalization and presentations associated with this project. This position will also assist with ASL sampling, salmon escapement weirs, shellfish surveys, salmon stockings, juvenile salmon tagging, and management duties. The season is 6 months, although additional funding may be available. Work will be almost entirely field-based May through August, with a mix of office and field duties in April and September.

Our mission, values, and culture:

The mission of the Division of Sport Fish is to protect, maintain, and improve Alaska's sport fisheries. The incumbent will directly support that mission through successful implementation of the broodstock program for fisheries supplementation and enhancement and by collecting fisheries data to support management. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game values a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount, and employees at all levels foster a culture in which everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully.

The benefits of joining our team:

This position presents a unique opportunity to be lead on a crucial program within the Homer Sport Fish management group while also being provided a diversity of work opportunities in the field and office setting. This is a large and cohesive group with 5 biologists, and 14 fisheries technicians to monitor and manage a large diversity of fisheries and stocks in Lower Cook Inlet Management Area. This position is a unique career-advancing opportunity as an entry-level permanent biologist within the department.

The working environment you can expect:

This position will be stationed at the Homer office, with travel to the Ninilchik River field sites up to 5 days a week during field season. You will typically work with a small team, often leading technicians on various assigned tasks. Some field days will include travel to other field projects on the beaches of Cook Inlet, the Anchor River, Deep Creek, the Homer harbor and the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon.

Who we are looking for:

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

Collecting and spawning Chinook salmon broodstock and maintaining equipment like raceways, water pumps, oxygen systems, and remote power setups;

Leading field crews, delegating tasks, and providing the necessary oversight and training;

Collecting, proofing, finalizing and reporting data using Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word and R;

Conducting field sampling including using beach seines and live boxes and collecting ASL samples from Chinook salmon; and

Interest or experience with integrated hatchery programs and sport fisheries in Lower Cook Inlet.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Fishery Biologist 1,

please

go to the following link:

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

Special Note:

A valid driver's license is required.

Must be able to legally carry and effectively use firearms.

First Aid/CPR. For those not already certified, training will be provided by the department at no cost to the employee.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management.

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.

An individual who will complete the educational requirements and obtain the required bachelor's degree within six months may apply and be considered for a vacancy. Such applicants may be given a conditional job offer but may not be appointed until receipt of the required degree has been documented.

Additional Required Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

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

Transcripts, if using to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial copies are acceptable).

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is NOT required for this position.

Your complete application packet 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/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 educationa