Habitat Biologist 2 (Pcn 117701)

Job Description

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 Habitat is recruiting for a Habitat Biologist 2 located in Palmer!

• The recruitment period for this vacancy has been extended to allow for a larger applicant pool. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply.

What you will be doing:

Under the direction of the Area Manager (Habitat Biologist 4), the successful applicant will evaluate a variety of development projects that affect anadromous and resident fish streams. Such projects include large highway construction projects, commercial placer mining activities, commercial harvests of forest resources, commercial land developments and other projects that involve stream crossings, stream bank erosion, stream diversions, water withdrawals, dams, stream blockages, culverts and modifications to streambanks and/or streambeds.

The successful applicant will implement the provisions of Alaska Statute (AS) 16.05.871 (Anadromous Fish Act), AS 16.05.841 (Fishway Act), Special Area Permitting and the Forest Resources and Practices Act to ensure that fish and wildlife habitat is maintained and impacts to those resources are minimized and/or mitigated to the extent practicable. Preference will be given to individuals that can demonstrate through their education, work history, and references the ability to provide quality products while working independently, managing time effectively, and meeting stringent project deadlines.

Workload priorities are:

• Title 16 Fish Habitat and 5AAC 95 Special Area permitting, including monitoring and compliance and updating the Anadromous Waters Catalog and Atlas;

• Large projects of importance to the state; and

• Forest Resources and Practices Act.

Our organization, mission, and culture:

The ADF&G Habitat Section's mission is to properly conserve Alaska's valuable fish and wildlife resources and their habitats as Alaska's population and economy continue to expand.

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.

Benefits of joining our team:

The Habitat Biologist 2 reviews and conducts permitting of development projects in the Mat-Su, one of the fastest growing areas of the state. This position provides the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of projects including placer mining, culvert and bridge installations, water withdrawals, stream crossings, streambank restoration/stabilization, and activities conducted in the four Special Areas located in the Mat-Su. This position contributes to the development of the Mat-Su area while ensuring that impacts to fish, wildlife and their habitats are avoided or minimized. Field work is routinely conducted including site inspection and compliance of construction projects and fish sampling focused on contributions to the Anadromous Waters Catalog.

The working conditions you can expect:

This position is located in the Palmer office across the Glenn Highway from the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The Mat-Su area offers access to numerous recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, biking and ATV trails.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for someone with the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong working knowledge of the habitat requirements for common species of fish, wildlife and vegetation found in Alaska, with an emphasis on fish.

• Demonstrated professional or educational experience assessing impacts to fish, wildlife, or plant communities from human disturbances.

• A working understanding of river morphology and dynamics, as well as erosion and sediment control.

• Work experience conducting fish surveys or fish inventories using traps, nets, electro-fishing, or other methods.

• Experience advocating for and negotiating a course of action on behalf of a resource agency or organization.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Habitat Biologist 2 please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

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 Habitat Biologist 1, Wildlife Biologist 1, or Fishery 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.

Additional Required Information

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY

This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements in order to be considered for employment at this time.

COVER LETTER

Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application, fax it to the contact number provided in the job posting. Your cover letter should highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the key responsibilities and desired strengths listed in the job description. Your cover letter will be considered as a writing sample and its quality and content will be used to help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. If you do not provide written responses in the cover letter addressing the objectives listed above, you WILL NOT advance to the next step in the selection process and your application will be processed as INCOMPLETE.

Please provide at time of application submission:

• Cover letter; and

• Copies of all college transcripts.

If selected, please provide the following at the time of the interview:

• Copies of your three (3) most recent evaluations.
• A list of three (3) professional references (including daytime telephone numbers); at least two of which must be a current or former supervisor.

Special Note:

The successful candidate must have a valid Alaska driver's license.

Required training, which may be completed on the job, include:

• Peace officer of the state deputization.

• Department firearms and wildlife safety.

• Wilderness first aid, CPR, and AED.

Additional training opportunities may include:

• introduction to ArcPro.

• Remote worker swiftwater safety.

• Electrofishing.

FIREARMS

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.

A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is an offense that is (1) a misdemeanor under Federal or state law; and (2) has, as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.

If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, do NOT apply for this position.

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. Omission of required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.

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.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

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:

Sarah Myers

Mat-Su Area Manager

Phone: 907-861-3206

Fax: 907-861-3232

sarah.myers@alaska.gov

Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits

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)

Optional Insurance Benefits

• 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

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served

• Eleven paid holidays a year

Agency State of Alaska

Address PO Box 110201

Juneau, Alaska, 99811

Phone (800) 587-0430 (Statewide toll-free number)

(907) 465-4095 (Juneau and out-of-state callers)

Website http://workplace.alaska.gov/