Wildlife Biologist 2 (Assistant Area Biologist - PCN 112060)

About the position This position operates under the supervision of the Palmer Area Biologist and supports and administers wildlife management programs in the Mat-Su valley and surrounding mountain ranges. The incumbent regularly interacts with members of the public, issuing licenses and permits and collecting harvest and field information. The daily work environment spans report writing, data analysis, interacting with the public, responding to nuisance wildlife issues, conducting surveys, investigations, and capturing and handling wildlife in remote locations, which sometimes requires travel away from the duty station for 1-2 weeks at a time. Fieldwork may involve exposure to animals, biting insects, inclement weather, firearms, low-level aircraft flights, and/or travel by boat or skiff. Aerial surveys are conducted in small aircraft maneuvering at low altitude for long periods in sometimes extremely cold conditions.

Responsibilities

• Supports and administers wildlife management programs in the Mat-Su valley and surrounding mountain ranges.
• Interacts with members of the public, issuing licenses and permits and collecting harvest and field information.
• Conducts report writing and data analysis.
• Responds to nuisance wildlife issues.
• Conducts surveys and investigations.
• Captures and handles wildlife in remote locations.
• Travels away from the duty station for 1-2 weeks at a time for fieldwork.
• Conducts fieldwork which may involve exposure to animals, biting insects, inclement weather, firearms, low-level aircraft flights, and/or travel by boat or skiff.
• Conducts aerial surveys in small aircraft.
• Plans, writes, and aids the public from the Palmer area office.
• Seals furbearers, bears, and sheep.
• Helps members of the public at the front counter.
• Addresses human-wildlife conflicts, focusing on moose.
• Provides education or deals with conflicts in and around communities in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough area.
• Conducts fieldwork in remote parts of southcentral Alaska and other locations within Region IV.
• Conducts fieldwork in all weather conditions.
• Captures animals via darting from a helicopter.
• Conducts low-level surveys in fixed-wing or rotary-winged aircraft.
• Works from small boats and via ATVs or snowmachines.
• May include extended stays in remote field camps.
• Be exposed to biting insects, snow, wind, rain, continuous sun, and other hazardous conditions during fieldwork.
• Be certified to carry firearms and bear spray during fieldwork.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, or natural resource management.
• One year of professional level biologist experience.
• Valid driver's license.
• Use or possession of a firearm or ammunition.
• Alaska State Peace Officer certification.
• Animal Capture and handling certification.
• Animal Welfare certification.
• Knowledge of the life history of wildlife species in Alaska.
• Working knowledge of wildlife biology, ecology, and population dynamics.
• Experience capturing, immobilizing, and performing physical examinations of various large mammal species.
• Experience collecting data via aerial and ground investigations.
• Experience working with databases.
• Experience preparing data analyses and summaries.
• Experience writing technical reports and presentations.
• Experience answering complex public inquiries on wildlife issues or regulatory requirements using good oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in handling firearms and proficiency in firearm use.

Nice-to-haves

• Certification as Associate Wildlife Biologist by professional organization.

Benefits

• Challenging and fulfilling professional opportunity to assist in the management of world-class wildlife resources.
• Work directly with management and research biologists to grow professionally and gain experience assessing wildlife resources and managing a diversity of wildlife.