Fish and Wildlife Technician 3

This permanent seasonal position serves as a crew leader on the Chilkoot Lake salmon stock assessment project. Primary duties include enumerating adult salmon passage through a picketed fish weir on the Chilkoot River by visual counting and speciation from approximately mid-May through mid-September. Other duties include but are not limited to; installing, dismantling and general maintenance of the weir, fish traps and recovery boxes; sampling live sockeye salmon via dip net to gather biological data including length measurements, sex identification and scales to be sent in for age analysis; organizing and entering biological data into appropriate data sheets and notebooks and relaying collected data to managers daily via cell phone; collecting and properly recording Limnological data on Chilkoot Lake once a month; and regularly interacting with the public as they pass through the Chilkoot State Park in which the weir is located. As lead technician, the incumbent is responsible for training one other crew member (Fish and Wildlife Technician 2) in salmon speciation, proper fish sampling techniques and data collection, and conducts quality control on all data gathered for the project before submission to area managers.

Our organization, mission 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 mission of the Division of Commercial Fisheries is to manage subsistence, commercial, and personal use fisheries in the interest of the economy and general wellbeing of the citizens of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle, and subject to allocations through public regulatory processes. The Division’s core service is to ensure the conservation of natural stocks of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants based on scientifically sound assessments.

This position with the Chilkoot Lake salmon stock assessment project contributes to the department’s missions and goals by providing critical information to the Area Management Biologist for in-season management of the Lynn Canal (District 15) commercial drift gillnet fisheries. Additionally, this position provides information for estimating annual escapement and harvest of Chilkoot River sockeye salmon stocks, runs, reconstructions and stock status assessments.

The benefits of joining our team:
The Chilkoot Lake weir project offers the opportunity to join a driven team of professionals working hands-on with one of the largest sockeye salmon runs in Southeast Alaska. The data collected through this position will help steer management decisions of the local Haines subsistence, personal use and commercial drift gillnet fisheries, all while working outside amidst the wildlife and landscape of Alaska’s Chilkoot State Park.

The working environment you can expect:
The Chilkoot River weir project is located at the center of a one mile stretch of road between Lutak Inlet and Chilkoot Lake and is approximately 10 miles northeast of the city of Haines, Alaska. The daily work environment is dynamic and involves working outdoors on a fish weir while living in an onsite cabin during the workweek, and regularly provides support for bear monitoring and collaborating with State Park rangers to keep the bears and public safe.

Who we are looking for:

• Experience identifying, capturing, and handling all five species of Pacific salmon to collect biological data (age, sex and length)
• Experience living and working independently in a field camp with minimal supervision
• Experience leading and/or training a team with job responsibilities/duties
• Ability to effectively communicate daily with fisheries managers, other crew member, the public, including tourists and State Park rangers, and maintaining good interpersonal communication skills
• Experience working and living in bear country, including experience with firearms and wildlife safety.

To view the general description and example of duties please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Special Note:

• Valid Driver's license required.

• The Chilkoot Lake salmon weir project is a semi-remote field camp and is accessible by the Haines Road system. The housing consists of a small cabin with no running water. Food and transportation will be provided while in the field; however, the incumbent will be expected to provide their own food, housing, and transportation during scheduled days off.
• This position works 40.5 hours weekly, includes overtime, and has 3 scheduled days off each week.
• Exposure to wild animals (particularly brown bears), mosquitos, and inclement weather is frequent.
• This position requires carrying a shotgun. All department employees who carry a firearm are required to take the department’s basic firearm safety course and pass a proficiency test before going into the field. After successfully taking the course, an annual refresher course is required. If an employee does not want to take the course or carry a firearm in the field, they must use bear spray as a primary deterrent.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation or the equivalent.
AND
Six months experience at the developmental level of fish and wildlife technician or aide. With the State of Alaska, this experience is equivalent to Fish and Wildlife Technician 2.
OR
One year 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, wildlife, outdoor manual labor, or in a laboratory may substitute for the high school graduation or equivalent.
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, travel by boat or skiff, or contact with drugs and chemicals. Housing may consist of bunkhouses, vessels, or wall tents. Positions are 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 zoology.

Additional Required Information

Documents requested at time of application:

• A copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are acceptable), if being used to meet the minimum qualifications.

Documents requested at time of interview, if selected:

• A list of three (3) professional references with current daytime phone numbers.
• A copy of your two (2) most current Performance Evaluations, OR two (2) Letters of Recommendations if performance evaluations are not if available; and
• Copies of any current firearm, first aid/CPR, wildlife safety training, swift water rescue training, or other relevant certifications.

EDUCATION
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, 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 with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

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 educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. 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. The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.
WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit:https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

Contact Information

For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager:

Nicole Zeiser
Phone: (907) 766-2830
Fax: (907) 766-2189
nicole.zeiser@alaska.gov

Shelby Flemming
Phone: (907) 766-3124
shelby.flemming@alaska.gov

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Eleven paid holidays a year