Wildlife Biologist 3 (Pcn 112014)

Job Description

This position is open to all U.S. Applicants.

NOTE: This position has been extended to allow for a larger applicant pool.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation is recruiting for a Wildlife Biologist 3 located in Soldotna!

What you will be doing:

The Soldotna Area Wildlife Biologist has lead responsibility for hiring, training, and supervising a Wildlife Biologist 2 stationed in Homer, a permanent Wildlife Biologist 1 a permanent seasonal Fish and Wildlife Technician 3 and a Program Technician in Soldotna. The Program Technician position is shared with Sport Fish Division. This position independently plans and schedules programs to monitor wildlife populations, write annual status reports and conduct studies associated with management programs in GMUs 7 and 15. Participates in the Board of Game process and work with the public and media outlets by answering wildlife related questions.

The incumbent will be responsible for:

• monitoring and evaluating wildlife populations including moose, brown and black bear, caribou, sheep, Mtn. Goats, and furbearers.

• making recommendations regarding hunting and trapping regulations.

• coordinating with other state and government agencies.

• working to resolve public safety concerns and nuisance issues related to wildlife, particularly brown and black bears and moose.

• writing technical reports and operational plans.

• providing support and technical expertise on animal habitat, populations, and their management in the region; and

• collaborating with other wildlife biologists and managers across the state on wildlife management challenges.

• Requires frequent travel within the management area and infrequent travel in-state.

• Requires the use of firearms and the ability to ride in small aircraft in mountainous terrain for aerial surveys.

Our organization, mission and culture:

Alaska's programs are built on the principles of conservative management, sound science, and habitat protection. This position fulfills the Division of Wildlife Conservation's mission in the Southcentral Region 2 to conserve and enhance Alaska's wildlife and habitats and provide for a wide range of public uses and benefits. The incumbent maintains and enhances opportunities to hunt, trap and view wildlife while providing opportunities for Alaskans to gain knowledge of and appreciation for Alaska's wildlife, its management, and ways to interact with wildlife safely and ethically.

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and well-being are paramount and employees at all levels promote a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully.

The benefits of joining our team:

The employees at Fish & Game contribute to the management and continued sustainability of Alaska's fish and wildlife resources. ADF&G work impacts lives daily and the work we do is renowned and respected around the world.

The working environment you can expect:

This position is based in the Soldotna area office. Soldotna is located south of Anchorage (a 2 ½ hour drive or ½ hour commuter flight) in the west-central portion of the Kenai Peninsula.

Wildlife staff share an office building with staff from the sport and commercial fisheries divisions. Daily duties vary and are often unpredictable and include interacting with the public answering wildlife or hunting/trapping inquiries, responding to human/wildlife conflicts, writing reports and database management, and coordinating with other state and federal agencies, native organization, and other NGO's.

In addition to daily duties, you will also be responsible for conducting aerial wildlife surveys and working on research project that mainly focus on big game species and furbearers.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for an energetic and committed professional who has experience:

• Designing, planning, and implementing a sound and practical wildlife management program for large mammal populations - particularly moose, brown bear, black bear, caribou, sheep, and Mtn. Goats.

• Monitoring and evaluating large mammal populations, including field work, population modeling, and developing sustainable harvest goals.

• Collecting data via aerial and ground investigations (i.e., surveys, wildlife captures, etc.), working independently or cooperatively with research staff to develop databases, preparing data analyses and summaries, and writing technical reports and presentations.

• Responding to public reports of nuisance animals and answering complex public inquires 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, regulatory process, public access, etc.); and

• Flying in small aircraft in mountainous terrain and handling firearms.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Wildlife Biologist 3 please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Special Note:

• Valid Driver's License is required.

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 full performance professional level biologist experience. The required professional biologist work experience is met by service as a Fishery Biologist 2, Wildlife Biologist 2, Habitat Biologist 2, or Fisheries Geneticist 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

Substitution:

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.

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

A cover letter is required for this position.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please provide at time of application submission:

• Copies of all college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable), if being used to meet the minimum qualification

• Cover letter

Please provide at time of interview, if selected:

• A list of three (3) professional references with current contact information
• A copy of your two (2) most recent performance evaluations, (if unavailable, two (2) letters of reference)

COVER LETTER

• A cover letter addressing all Five Position-specific Competencies and the Additional Required Information are required at the time of application. If you do not have experience with a specific competency, please state so. This cover letter will be used as a writing sample. *

A cover letter is required to be considered for this position. In your cover letter, you must highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the desired strengths listed in the job description above. In addition, your application package will be reviewed to determine if you possess the experience and strengths we are seeking in an employee.

EDUCATION

If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, 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 if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or within 48 hours of the close of this recruitment to the contact person listed below.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Jeff Selinger

Phone: 907-260-2905

jeff.selinger@alaska.gov

Cyndi Wardlow

Phone: 907-267-2529

cynthia.wardlow@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

01

Describe your experience designing, planning, and implementing a sound and practical program of wildlife management for large mammal populations.

02

Describe your experience monitoring and evaluating large mammal populations, including field work, population modeling, and developing sustainable harvest goals.

03

Describe your experience capturing, immobilizing, and performing physical examinations of various large mammal species.

04

Describe your ability and experience working independently, and as a member of a team, in both field and office environments.

05

Describe your experience with answering public/stakeholder inquires on complex issues or regulations through oral or written communication (i.e., explaining trapping/hunting regulations, processes for obtaining a hunting permit, public access, regulatory process, etc.).

Required Question

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/