Fish and Wildlife Technician 2 - Port Sampling

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting for multiple Fish and Wildlife Technician 2s located in Sitka!  

What you will be doing:
The Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries Division, is seeking to hire several 3.5-4-month seasonal Fish and Wildlife Technician 2’s to serve as port samplers from May 31st to September 15th in Sitka. These positions may continue to be active through September 20th, depending on the dynamics of the fisheries. Port sampling technicians will be responsible for collecting both biological and fishery performance data from commercially harvested salmon and Dungeness crab landings. The selected candidates will develop a working knowledge of the port sampling program in the Sitka management area as well as an understanding of pertinent fisheries. Port sampling technicians will work at least 7.5 hours per day, 5 days a week (with potential opportunities for overtime) in the seafood processing plants and docks in Sitka and may have the opportunity to collect samples onboard tender vessels on the fishing grounds. Port sampling technicians will be required to interact with commercial fishermen, processing plant workers, and other ADF&G staff in a professional and respectful manner. Data collection will include fishery performance data obtained through interviewing permit holders, as well as collecting biological samples (such as scales and tissue) and evaluating salmon for coded-wire tags (CWT) using a CWT wand. Practicing safe handling and learning to identify all five species of pacific salmon in their ocean bright condition are integral skills for this position. The technicians’ work will be directed by the Sitka Port Sampling Supervisor, Port Sampling Crew Leader, or the Regional Port Sampling Supervisor. Attention to detail and a willingness to learn are essential requirements for these exciting and dynamic positions.

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 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 port sampling position assists in the collection of biological data from commercial salmon and shellfish landings.  Data collections may include coded wire tags, fishery performance, pink salmon sex ratios, age-length data, otoliths, genetic samples, morphometric, and other biological data as directed. This information is used directly to manage State of Alaska fisheries.  Some of our work is conducted as part of the Pacific Salmon Treaty and is considered the foundation on which the salmon management of Southeast Alaska is built.


The benefits of joining our team:
The State of Alaska is an excellent employer that offers benefits, including medical and accruement of leave. These positions are considered entry level and many of the biologists and managers that are currently with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game started as a port sampling technician themselves.

The working environment you can expect:
Work is performed at the commercial fish processing plants in Sitka, on docks in often cold and wet conditions. There is also the option for periodically working on fish tender vessels on the fishing grounds ranging in time from a few days to a week-long in duration.  Multiple sampling programs are involved, and several different sampling forms must be filled out correctly. Most of the data is entered into electronic tablets in sampling applications, therefore proficiency using electronics is ideal. This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule that will be dependent on commercial fishery openings, closures, vessel, and seafood processing dynamics.

Who we are looking for:

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to learn.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that will be dependent on commercial fishery openers and closures.
• Ability to identify Pacific Salmon to species in ocean bright condition.

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.
• This position requires the ability to repetitively lift fish and gear up to 50 pounds and work on the docks and in processors in inclement weather.
• This position requires the ability to work in cold, wet, and loud conditions inside and on the docks of a processing plant that at times will require standing while working in one place for extended periods of time.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation or the equivalent.
OR
Three months as an entry level fish and wildlife technician or aide. With the State of Alaska, this experience is equivalent to Fish and Wildlife Technician 1.
OR
Six months of work experience involving fish, wildlife, outdoor manual labor, or in a laboratory.
 
Special Requirements:
Exposure to animals, insects, inclement weather, low level flying, travel by boat or skiff, or contact with drugs and chemicals may occur. Housing may consist of bunkhouses, vessels, or wall tents. Some duties may be restricted for employees under the age of 18 in accordance with State and federal child labor laws. 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.
 
An individual who will complete the educational requirements and obtain the required high school diploma or equivalent within three 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

A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Documents requested at time of application:

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

If selected for an interview, please bring the following:
 

• Three (3) professional references with current contact information (daytime phone number and email address).

CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT
Multiple hires will be made from this posting. Therefore, applicant non-selection notifications will not occur until the entire recruitment and selection process is complete. This recruitment will be continuously open for 90 days. Vacancies will be filled as soon as qualified applicants are identified.  

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. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES 

This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

EEO STATEMENT

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.
 

NOTICE

If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘govermentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

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: 

Isabel Platten 
Phone: 907-747-6701
isabel.platten@alaska.gov