Fisheries Biologist I (Seasonal)

biometrics on adult Copper River Chinook salmon and/or; apply esophageal radio tags, and
collect biometrics, fat content, and genetic samples on Sockeye salmon and/or; oversee the
operation of multi-beam fish imaging sonar and/or; enumerate salmon passage and collect
biometrics at a weir.

supplies, assessing and reporting field conditions, determining points of access/egress to
remote sites, participating in safety briefings, camp mobilization/demobilization, camp
operation and maintenance, oversee remote communications protocols of the field site.

• Other duties as developed and assigned.
  

Competencies/Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
The incumbent must have: the ability to take direction from off-site supervisors and work in a
team environment; the ability to lead a diverse crew in a remote environment while maintaining
camp safety and team morale; ability to live and work harmoniously with a small group of peers
in a tobacco/drug/alcohol-free environment; ability to work well in a remote environment with
minimal privacy and limited communication resources; ability to work for long hours over
difficult terrain in inclement weather; proficiency in carrying firearms as a bear deterrent;
knowledge and skills to operate a variety of power boats with a high level of competence, swift
water boating experience is preferred; ability to safely operate boats single-handed or safely
laden with personnel, gear, and/or equipment; ability to properly maintain engines, boats, tools
and equipment; ability to do basic troubleshooting, and make field repairs to mechanical and
electrical equipment including outboard motors, generators, computers, alternative energy
systems, appliances, etc. Must have a knowledge of basic power tool operation and the ability to
complete work safely and efficiently using power and hand tools. Must have strong knowledge
of The Scientific Method, with an emphasis on techniques for aquatic biological research and
analysis; strong research, writing and verbal communication skills, including experience with
data quality assurance/quality control, scientific report writing, and proposal writing; Strong
computer literacy, including working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GIS,
statistical software, internet browsing and email applications. Must have the physical ability to
work long hours outdoors, with strength, endurance, and patience to continually lift and carry
very heavy objects over uneven terrain routinely.

Experience Requirement
Required
Minimum two years’ experience with remote field research, hands-on sampling, and rigorous
scientific data collection. Must have boat operation proficiency. Must have experience
supervising subordinate technicians or extensive remote field work experience that clearly
demonstrates progression of skills required to lead a remote field site.

Preferred
Three months or more working at remote Alaskan field sites, building, maintaining and operating
sampling gear, fish tagging, collecting biometric data and collecting specimens, aquatic
invertebrate sampling, aquatic plant sampling, plankton sampling, water quality sampling, water

gauging. Experience with fisheries/wildlife research, including trapping and handling of large
fish, mammals and birds, collecting specimens, telemetry, and identifying Alaskan mammals and
birds; Professional experience working in remote locations in the Alaskan outdoors; Experience
working with Alaskan Tribes, and knowledge of subsistence resources.

Education Requirement
M.S. in a closely related scientific field with experience working on complex research projects in
remote areas, OR B.S. with 2 years’ experience leading and managing complex remote research
in closely related fields.

Performance Standard
The position requires a considerable amount of physical activity while conducting fieldwork,
including hiking and climbing over difficult terrain and the position requires that applicants are
in sufficient condition to perform these physically demanding tasks. The use of hand, eye and
muscle coordination to safely operate boats, power and hand tools is required.

Environmental Factors
Possibility of remote/cold water survival situations. Work will include exposure to severe
weather (heat, cold and wet), hazards associated with power tools, hazards associated with traps
to collect fish and wildlife, and working in areas containing large predators. Work may be
conducted in remote settings, on technical rivers, marine habitats, rainforests, glaciers, and/or
snowpack, near frozen rivers and lakes, wetlands, and in office settings. This position entails
risks of injury from using power tools and operating small boats on swift water as well as normal
risks of physical labor done in the remote outdoors.

Disclaimer
Nothing in this job description restricts NVE’s right to assign or reassign duties and
responsibilities to this job at any time. By signing below, I acknowledge receipt of this job
description and that my supervisor has discussed it with me.

Employee Signature Date Supervisor Signature Date

Team Leader Signature Date