Fishery Biologist 1 (Norton Sound/Kotzebue)

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 ALL APPLICANTS.

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

for a Fishery Biologist 1 located in Nome, Alaska!

What you will be doing:

This position provides a unique opportunity for an entry-level biologist to support management of the diverse commercial and subsistence fisheries of Norton Sound and Kotzebue in western Alaska. Not only will the successful applicant coordinate remote salmon enumeration projects, but they will also assist with high-seas red king crab population assessments, conduct regional harvest surveys with subsistence users, and collect, process, and analyze data for annual reports. Duties also include assisting the Field Camp Coordinator with providing training and logistical support for fisheries technicians at field camps and at commercial catch sampling locations throughout the region.

Our mission, values, and culture:

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing 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:

We are seeking applicants who want to further their career in fisheries in a challenging and rewarding environment. The experience the successful applicant will gain while supporting the small-scale fisheries of western Alaska will be invaluable to future positions in management, research, and resource governance. While there are ample opportunities for overtime throughout the busy season, there are also periods that will allow recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, and berry picking in a pristine environment.

The working environment you can expect:

While this position is based in Nome, the successful applicant will support projects throughout the region from Kotzebue to Unalakleet. Travel by small, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters will be necessary to access many of the field sites, and the incumbent will be expected to work from boats frequently. In the field, the incumbent will frequently interact with subsistence users and may field questions and concerns as an ADF&G representative. While in Nome, job duties will take place in the State office building, and at maintenance facilities and boat yards. This position requires frequent trips to remote field sites that may last for several days and possibly weeks at a time. The incumbent may be required to work on trawl boats in the high seas for up to 2 weeks at a time. Requires operation of skiffs and ATVs to travel to project sites. May require travel in small aircraft, fixed wing or rotary. Also requires training for the safe handling and operation of firearms in bear country.

Who we are looking for:

We are seeking applicants who are eager to learn about the fish populations of western Alaska and who thrive in circumstances that require them to be resourceful in response to novel challenges. The successful candidate will have previous experience in fisheries, including:

Collecting, organizing, and reporting biological data;

Operating and maintaining equipment such as outboard motors, generators, and ATVs;

Working and living in remote field locations;

Prioritizing safety in bear country;

Directing a field crew to accomplish project objectives.

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.

This position may be in possession of, or have access to, firearms/ammunition.

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

Please provide at time of application submission:

Cover letter

College transcripts, if being used to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial copies are accepted).

Resume/CV

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

Names and day-time phone numbers for three (3) professional references.

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is required at the time of application.

Cover letters should document relevant experience and education, while highlighting personal investment in Alaskan fisheries and outdoor activities. A complete cover letter will mention the applicant’s level of experience in the five categories listed in the "Who we are lookng for" section of thejob posting. 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. 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