What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wildlife Physiologist 3 position at State of Alaska?
Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for this position increased by 2.5%. 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.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation is recruiting
for a Wildlife Physiologist 3 located in Palmer, Alaska!
What you will be doing:The incumbent will design, execute, and coordinate research to quantify the relationships between physiological and behavioral measures of large terrestrial mammals with forages, snow, climate, fire, anthropogenic, and other factors of their natural environments. Duties will include overseeing operations at ADFG’s Foraging Ecology and Wildlife Nutritional Analysis lab, including caretaking of captive moose and caribou used in research and field-based sampling of forages, and observing captive animals in situ. This position requires substantial cooperation and coordination with other biologists within and external to ADFG, and supervision of several staff members.
Our mission, values, and culture:
ADFG maintains active and comprehensive management and research programs to ensure fish and wildlife populations are "utilized, developed, and maintained on the sustained yield principle,” in accordance with Alaska’s Constitution. The incumbent will contribute to this mission by enhancing the quality and breadth of scientific information to help wildlife managers, the public, and the Board of Game to make informed decisions regarding our shared resources.
The benefits of joining our team:
The Division of Wildlife Conservation’s Central-southwest Region 4 encompasses an area the size of Montana, with some of the most spectacular landscapes and wildlife species on Earth. Members of our research team work with biologists from across ADFG as well as Federal agencies, Native Corporations, academic institutions, and NGOs to develop scientific products to inform sustainable management of wildlife populations.
The working environment you can expect:
This position will be stationed at the Foraging Ecology and Wildlife Nutritional Analysis laboratory on the UAF Experiment Farm, located approximately 10 miles from the Region IV office in Palmer, AK. The lab has captive animal facilities and a laboratory for conducting a wide array of foraging, nutritional, physiological, and biochemical analyses and investigations. The position requires occasional travel to the field and to area offices. This position may require travel for fieldwork (up to 14 days at a time at least twice a year).
Who we are looking for:
We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:
- Independently design and execute major foraging ecology, behavioral, physiology, and nutritional studies related to improving management and understanding of large game species in Alaska.
- Supervise technical and professional staff, potentially including graduate students, performing both field and laboratory duties, analyses, and preparation of scientific products (e.g., peer-reviewed publications).
- Collaborate and coordinate with staff from ADFG, other agencies, Native Corporations, academic institutions, and various government and non-government entities to complete research projects on behalf of ADFG.
- Provide expertise to a broad range of staff within and external to ADFG on matters of research and monitoring program design, analyses and inferences from research, and evaluation of previous or ongoing research.
- Represent ADFG to members of the public, media, Board of Game, and other agencies by providing information related to ADFG wildlife research and management efforts.
To view the general description and example of duties for a Wildlife Physiologist 3 please go to
the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs
Special Note:Valid Driver`s License required.
Wildland fire fighting certification. (recommended)
Institutional Animal Care and Use protocol approvals.
Animal capture and drug safety training.
Minimum Qualifications
A master’s degree from an accredited college, in biology with an emphasis in physiology or nutritional biochemistry, which includes at least 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours of graduate level physiology or nutritional biochemistry course work.
AND
Two years of advanced professional level physiologist experience in designing, conducting and overseeing a major field and lab wildlife physiology research project including multiple sub projects. The required experience includes work such as Wildlife Physiologist 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
OR
A master’s degree from an accredited college in any science major, which includes at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of graduate level course work bearing course numbers of 400 or higher (excluding thesis credit in biology), and which includes at least 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours of graduate level physiology or nutritional biochemistry course work.
AND
Two years of advanced professional level physiologist experience in designing, conducting and overseeing a major field and lab wildlife physiology research project including multiple sub projects. The required experience includes work such as Wildlife Physiologist 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
OR
A Ph.D from an accredited college in physiology, nutritional biochemistry, or an allied field with an emphasis in physiology or nutritional biochemistry which includes at least 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours of graduate level physiology or nutritional biochemistry course work.
AND
One year of advanced professional level physiologist experience in designing, conducting and overseeing a major field and lab wildlife physiology research project including multiple sub projects. The required experience includes work such as Wildlife Physiologist 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
Additional Required Information
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please provide at time of application submission:
- Cover letter
If selected, please provide the following at the time of the interview:
- Transcripts, if using to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial copies are accepted).
- A list of three (3) professional references with current contact information.
- A writing sample from a peer reviewed journal or equivalent.
COVER LETTER
A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter should highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as they pertain to the position-specific competencies listed in the job description. Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, if unable to attach to your application, fax or 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.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
For your application to be evaluated you must answer the Supplemental Questions. Be specific in your answers and tell us how you acquired the relevant experience. Please use complete sentences and proof-read your submissions when answering the supplemental questions. Your responses will be considered a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment 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
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competences, 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. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts).
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.
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 aids 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:
Tim Peltier, Regional Supervisor
Tim Peltier, Regional Supervisor
Phone: (907) 861-2123
tim.peltier@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