Fishery Biologist II

This position is responsible for managing and supervising the Southcentral Alaska research program which assesses the characteristics of the halibut and groundfish sport harvest, and groundfish populations and trends in local sport fisheries. Data from this project is essential in developing management tools for the Southcentral Alaska halibut and groundfish sport fisheries. This is a challenging, yet rewarding position that we hope to fill with someone with experience in halibut and groundfish fishery research or management in Alaska. This position receives frequent public contact with anglers, charter operators, and a variety of sport fishing groups. The incumbent also works closely at times with local Alaska Wildlife Troopers and NOAA enforcement officers.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Design, plan, implement and manage the Southcentral Region halibut and groundfish program.
• Coordinate with management and research biologists from the Sport Fish and Commercial Fisheries divisions of ADF&G, the International Pacific Halibut Commission, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and the National Marine Fisheries Service for the purpose of establishing sharing data, refining project goals, resolving technical issues, and facilitating project logistics.
• Develop operational plans and sampling protocols in coordination with a project biometrician.
• Hire, evaluate and supervise one Fishery Biologist I and several seasonal Fish and Wildlife Technicians stationed in up to seven ports.
• Adjust work schedules and sampling efforts as needed to ensure that data accuracy and project objectives are met.
• Frequent travel during the field season to various ports to train and supervise port samplers.
• Edit, analyze and summarize data in-season and post-season.
• Write technical and informational reports for the public as well as other state and federal agencies.
• Prepare annual budget requests, forecast budget expenditures, perform pre-audits, and manage expenditures to stay within budgets.
• Provide information and explain research programs to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, Advisory Committees, charter groups and the general public.
• Issue sport fishing guide and business licenses and saltwater sport charter logbooks.

The ideal candidate will possess some or all of the following desired strengths (All of these traits must be documented in your cover letter and applicant profile. If you do not have experience with one or more of the traits listed below, please simply say so):

• Experience working with halibut and groundfish fisheries management and/or research in Alaska;
• Knowledge of basic sampling theory and demonstrated experience in planning, organizing, and evaluating fishery sampling programs;
• Demonstrated experience managing, coordinating, and supervising the work of professional biologists and technicians;
• Proven strong communication and technical writing skills and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, business operators and the general public;
• Proven ability to work effectively as a team member with larger groups of professionals and resources users such as professional staff , the Alaska Board of Fisheries, the International Pacific Halibut Commission, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and the National Marine Fisheries Service;
• Extensive experience budgeting, designing, and implementing complex research projects; as well as analyzing data and writing peer-reviewed publications;
• Strong computer and analytical skills including the use of standard and advanced computer software for data management, statistical analysis, spatial analysis, presentations, and office productivity;
• Knowledge of age determination methodologies and experience preparing and assessing groundfish age structures;
• Ability to work away from Homer for extended periods (one to two weeks each time) to attend meetings; and to work, train and supervise port samplers;

Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, or natural resource management;
AND
One year of professional level biologist experience. The required professional biologist experience is met by service as a Fishery Biologist I, Wildlife Biologist I, or Habitat Biologist I with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

Substitutions:
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, 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.

A master's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry or natural resource management, will substitute for the required year of professional level biologist experience.

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.

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