What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wildlife Biologist 1 position at State of Alaska?
Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for this position increased by 3%. The wage listed in this job posting reflects the increase.
This position is open to Alaska Residents only.
Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.
Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.
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The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation is recruiting for a Wildlife Biologist 1 located in Fairbanks, Alaska!
What you will be doing:
This position serves to assist the overall operation of the Arctic Marine Mammal Program (AMMP) by conducting field research (e.g., collecting eDNA samples, instrumenting marine mammals with satellite transmitters and sampling subsistence harvested marine mammals), laboratory work (e.g., sorting and recording marine mammal tissues received from the Native subsistence harvest and processing stomachs for diet analysis), maintaining field equipment (e.g., nets, eDNA sampling equipment, motion activated cameras, shotguns, biopsy and tagging instruments, trailers, snowmachines, boats, and ATVs), working with databases by entering, compiling, and error checking data, and assisting with report and manuscript preparations.
Our organization, mission, and culture:
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. 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 Marine Mammal Program mission is advancing science to promote the sound management of marine mammals for the people of Alaska. The Arctic Marine Mammal Program (AMMP) conducts research on 11 species of marine mammals (i.e., ringed, bearded, spotted, and ribbon seals, bowhead, humpback, gray, killer, and beluga whales, walruses, and polar bears) important for subsistence purposes in western and northern Alaska. The AMMP is almost entirely funded by competitive grants for salary, benefits, overhead, and research. This Wildlife Biologist 1 position will be responsible for conducting field research, conducting laboratory activities (e.g., identifying marine mammal prey using taxonomic principles), data management, analyzing data, and preparing reports, manuscripts, and outreach materials. Field work will be conducted in remote areas with minimal amenities and outside in inclement weather conditions. Marine mammal research and monitoring are a major component of the AMMP and high quality, published results in a timely manner are necessary for grant-based research to be successful. This position is mission critical so that AMMP can continue to provide marine mammal research results to marine mammal managers in a rapidly changing Arctic.
The benefits of joining our team:
The Arctic Marine Mammal Program includes biologists, technicians, and college interns that understand the importance of marine mammals to Alaskans and to the Arctic marine ecosystem. Research includes species distribution, habitat use, abundance estimation, evaluating indices to population status (i.e., vital rates), and harvest monitoring. This position works with Alaska Native marine mammal hunters and co-management organizations and local governments (e.g., North Slope Borough) on marine mammal research projects. This position also works with federal agencies (e.g., National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey).
The working environment you can expect:
This position is located in Fairbanks at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office at the Creamer's Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks. Offices are in the main building. This is a permanent seasonal position, but we intend for it to be 12 months a year. The non-field work schedule is based on a 7.5 hour day, 37.5 hours per week. Field work can involve 7/days/week and long hours. Field work will be conducted in remote locations and often includes working out of small boats, using snowmachines, or using ATVs. Other travel includes attending Alaska Native Organization and scientific meetings. Requires travel within the State for meetings (1-5 days up to 2 times/year). Requires field work (7-21 days up to 5 times/year traveling to remote locations, working in harsh weather conditions, and using small, motorized boats, snowmachines, and ATVs).
Who we are looking for:
The ideal applicant will have most or all of the following experience 1) conducting field research (e.g., capture, biological sampling, remote biopsy, genetic sampling, telemetry, and boat or aerial surveys) in remote locations of Alaska; 2) working in a laboratory processing specimens (e.g., sorting stomach contents for prey identification and extracting teeth for aging); 3) maintaining field equipment (e.g., maintaining nets, genetic sampling equipment, biopsy and tagging instruments, trailers, ATVs, boats, and snowmachines); 4) compiling, error checking, and analyzing data (using databases (e.g., Access), spreadsheets (e.g., Excel), and word processors (e.g., Word); and 5) assisting with report and manuscript preparation.
To view the general description and example of duties for a Wildlife Biologist 1 please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs
Special Note:
Valid Driver’s License is required.
The position requires the ability to carry and use a firearm.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, or natural resource management.
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:
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.
An individual who will complete the educational requirements and obtain the required bachelor's degree within six 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
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Required at time of application:- Transcripts, if using to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial copies are accepted).
- Cover letter
A cover letter is required at the time of application and will be used as a writing sample. In your cover letter, please clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities align with the five competencies listed in the “Who We Are Looking For” section of this posting. Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online, if unable to attach to your application, email it to the contact provided in the job posting. Your cover letter will be used to help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.
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
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.
WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer's 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 athttps://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 torecruitment.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:
Anna Bryan, Wildlife Biologist
Anna Bryan, Wildlife Biologist
Phone: (907) 459-7247
anna.bryan@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
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
- 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
- Twelve (12) paid holidays a year