JOB
This position is open to Alaska Residents only.
Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation is recruiting
for a Wildlife Biologist 2 located in Palmer, Alaska!
What you will be doing:
This position operates under supervision of the Palmer Area Biologist, supports and administers wildlife management programs in the Mat-Su valley and surrounding mountain ranges. The incumbent regularly interacts with members of the public issuing licenses and permits and collecting harvest and field information. Daily work environment spans from report writing, data analysis, interacting with the public, responding to nuisance wildlife issues, conducting surveys, investigations, and capturing and handling wildlife in remote locations which sometimes requiring travel away from the duty station (1-2 weeks at a time). Fieldwork may involve exposure to animals, biting insects, inclement weather, firearms, low-level aircraft flights, and/or travel by boat or skiff. Aerial surveys are conducted in small aircraft maneuvering at low altitude for long periods of time in sometimes extremely cold conditions.
Our mission, values, and culture:
The mission of the division of Wildlife Conservation is to conserve and enhance Alaska’s wildlife and habitats and provide for a wide range of public uses and benefits.
The Alaska Department of Fish and 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. Alaska’s programs are built on the principles of conservative management, sound science, and habitat protection. ADF&G develops and carries out policies that promote sustainability. The people at the Division of Wildlife Conservation are charged with managing Alaska’s wildlife.
The benefits of joining our team:
This position offers a challenging and fulfilling professional opportunity to assist in the management of world-class wildlife resources in the Matanuska and Susitna valley's, portions of the Alaska Range, Chugach, and Talkeetna mountains to meet DWC’s mission. This position will work directly with management and research biologists to grow professionally and gain experience assessing wildlife resources and managing a diversity of wildlife.
The working environment you can expect:
The incumbent will work primarily out of the Palmer area office planning, writing, aiding the public, and more. Sealing furbearers, bears, and sheep is required along with sometimes helping members of the public at the front counter. The office building has multiple suites including the Region IV Wildlife office, Sport Fish, and Habitat staff. Much of the work is in the office with sporadic fieldwork intermixed. The incumbent will have a private office in Palmer to conduct analyses, writing, and other office work. Addressing human-wildlife conflicts ebbs and flows with the season. Moose are the primary focus for conflict work and much time is spent providing education or dealing with conflicts in and around communities in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough area. Fieldwork is conducted in remote parts of southcentral Alaska and in other locations within Region IV based on need. Fieldwork can occur in all weather conditions and requires flying in small fixed-wing aircraft for many hours at a time or capturing animals via darting from a helicopter. Required to conduct low level surveys in fix-winged or rotary-winged aircraft. Work from small boats and via ATVs or snowmachines also may be required to meet needs of specific projects. Some work may include extended stays in remote field camps. Incumbents will be exposed to biting insects, snow, wind, rain, continuous sun, and other hazardous conditions during fieldwork. Incumbents will be required to be certified to carry firearms and bear spray during fieldwork. Fieldwork may require travel for 1-2 weeks away from the duty station at a time.
Who we are looking for:
We are looking for an energetic and committed professional who has some or all of the following position-specific competencies:
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Knowledge of the life history of wildlife species in Alaska and a working knowledge of wildlife biology, ecology, and population dynamics
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Experience capturing, immobilizing, and performing physical examinations of various large mammal species
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Experience collecting data via aerial and ground investigations, working with databases, preparing data analyses and summaries, and writing technical reports and presentations
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Experience answering complex public inquiries on wildlife issues or regulatory requirements using good oral and written communication skills (i.e., explaining trapping/hunting regulations, processes for obtaining a hunting permit, public access, etc.) while working in rural Alaska.
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Experience in handling firearms and proficiency in firearm use
To view the general description and example of duties for a Wildlife Biologist 2 please go to the following
link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs
Special Note:
A valid driver's license is required.
This position requires the use or possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Alaska State Peace Officer certification
Animal Capture and handling certification
Animal Welfare certification
Certification as Associate Wildlife Biologist by professional organization (recommended)
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
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 Wildlife Biologist 1, Fishery Biologist 1, or Habitat Biologist 1 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.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager:
Ross Dorendorf, Palmer Area Wildlife Biologist
Phone: (907) 861-2101
[email protected]