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Field Biologist Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

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Field Biologist information

See Alaska salary details

$24.2K

$65.9K

$113.6K

How much do field biologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for field biologist in Alaska is $65,880.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $74,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a field biologist?

A field biologist is a scientist who studies organisms and their environments in natural settings, rather than in laboratories. Their work often involves observing and collecting data on plants, animals, and ecosystems to better understand ecological relationships and the impact of environmental changes. Field biologists may work in diverse habitats, from forests and oceans to deserts and wetlands, and often contribute to conservation efforts, wildlife management, and environmental research.

What does a field biologist do?

As a field biologist, your job is to study wildlife in its natural environment. This involves using both biology and botany knowledge to research living things in the wilderness instead of a laboratory. One of the most important aspects this job is studying how living things interact with each other in a complex ecosystem. Using this information, you support wildlife management, habitat improvement, environmental landscaping, and the enforcement of environmental regulations. Facilities like power stations often use field biologists to ensure the facility's operations aren't harming nearby wildlife.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a field biologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Field Biologist, you need a solid background in biology or environmental science, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree and experience with field research techniques. Familiarity with tools such as GPS devices, data collection software, and sometimes specialized certifications like wildlife handling permits is common. Strong observational skills, adaptability, and effective teamwork and communication abilities help field biologists excel in diverse and sometimes challenging environments. These skills are essential for collecting accurate data, collaborating with research teams, and contributing meaningful insights to ecological studies and conservation efforts.

What are some common challenges a field biologist might face during fieldwork, and how are they typically addressed?

Field Biologists often encounter unpredictable weather, remote locations, and logistical challenges such as transporting equipment and samples. Working in varying terrains can require adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. Safety protocols, thorough planning, and teamwork are essential to address these obstacles, ensuring both data quality and personal well-being. Collaborating closely with local guides, other researchers, and conservation organizations is also common to facilitate access and enhance research outcomes.

What is the difference between Field Biologist vs Wildlife Technician?

AspectField Biologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in biology, ecology, or related field; often requires fieldwork experience
Work EnvironmentOutdoor settings, research sites, nature reserves
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, government agencies, environmental organizations
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for fieldwork roles in ecology and conservation

While both roles involve outdoor work and environmental knowledge, a Field Biologist typically conducts research, data collection, and ecological studies, often requiring higher education and specialized skills. A Wildlife Technician may focus more on supporting field activities, habitat management, and data recording, often with less emphasis on research design. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify roles aligned with their skills and career goals.

Is it hard to become a field biologist?

Becoming a field biologist typically requires a relevant degree such as a bachelor's or master's in biology, ecology, or environmental science, along with practical experience through internships or research projects. The job can be physically demanding and often involves irregular hours and outdoor work, but success depends on dedication, skills in data collection, and knowledge of ecological systems.

What jobs can you get with a field biologist degree?

A degree in field biology can lead to careers such as wildlife biologist, environmental consultant, conservation scientist, or research technician. These roles often involve fieldwork, data collection, and environmental analysis, and may require knowledge of GIS tools and ecological principles.
More about Field Biologist jobs

What are popular job titles related to Field Biologist jobs in Alaska?

For Field Biologist jobs in Alaska, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Field Biologist jobs in Alaska look for?

The top searched job categories for Field Biologist jobs in Alaska are:

Field Biologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Field Biologist job openings in Alaska as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,880 per year, or $31.7 per hour.

Wildlife Biologist

Colorado State University

Anchorage, AK • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Colorado State University rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

461st of 620 rated colleges and universities

Job description


Position Summary:
Colorado State University and CEMML is hiring a wildlife biologist to support Cook Inlet beluga whale prey and habitat monitoring at JBER under the direction of a JBER Natural Resources Program Manager. The position will support an integrated monitoring program focused on beluga occurrence, habitat conditions, prey resources, ice dynamics, underwater acoustics, and related environmental data. The biologist will have a wide range of field, analysis, reporting, and supervisory responsibilities.
Essential Job Duties:
  • Coordinate and implement the JBER Cook Inlet beluga whale prey and habitat monitoring project, including work planning, scheduling, staffing, logistics, meetings, equipment tracking, and deliverable tracking.
  • Supervise or coordinate field staff, technicians, students, subcontractors, and project partners conducting passive acoustic monitoring, visual observations, ice monitoring, environmental monitoring, eDNA sampling, GIS documentation, and related field activities.
  • Coordinate with JBER Natural Resources, AFCEC ISS, USACE, Range Control, and other partners to ensure fieldwork is properly scheduled, approved, and conducted in compliance with installation procedures.
  • Lead or support field operations in Eagle River, Eagle Bay, Knik Arm, and associated JBER coastal and riverine settings, including work from shoreline and vessel-based platforms, cold-weather settings, tidal environments, ice-affected areas, bear country, rough terrain, and active military training areas.
  • Deploy, operate, maintain, retrieve, calibrate, and troubleshoot passive acoustic monitoring and environmental equipment, including CPODs, FPODs, LS1 recorders, SoundTrap systems, hydrophones, remote time-lapse cameras, HOBO depth or temperature loggers, GPS units, radios, and related field equipment.
  • Conduct structured visual observations of marine mammal presence, abundance, group composition, movement, behavior, habitat use, environmental conditions, and anthropogenic or natural noise events.
  • Implement ice monitoring protocols, including remote camera deployment, image review, ice classification, field observations, environmental sensor data collection, and integration with acoustic and marine mammal occurrence datasets.
  • Plan and implement environmental DNA sampling for prey-resource and aquatic ecological assessment, including contamination-control procedures, sample handling, laboratory coordination, chain-of-custody documentation, and QA/QC review.
  • Process, review, QA/QC, analyze, and summarize acoustic, visual observation, environmental, ice monitoring, eDNA, geospatial, photographic, and field-note data.
  • Prepare and manage project data, GIS files, field records, photographs, laboratory reports, equipment records, metadata, and other raw and processed data deliverables.
  • Prepare work plans, quarterly progress reports, draft and final technical reports, comment-response matrices, maps, tables, figures, data and analysis packages, and federal property inventory documentation.
  • Ensure project compliance with safety requirements, installation access procedures, security review requirements, equipment inventory requirements, cooperative agreement terms, and timely notification of critical issues affecting safety, schedule, performance, or the environment.

Conditions of Employment:
  • Pre-employment Background Check (with driving).
  • Valid Driver's License by the employment start date.
  • Must be able to comply with all applicable regulations to obtain a Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC) and public trust clearance.
  • Candidates are required at a minimum to complete a NACI/SF85 and successfully pass a federal background check.
  • The position is full-time and in-person/on-site at JBER. This position may require occasional travel and fieldwork.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date; CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Supervision:
Requires supervision or coordination of seasonal field crew members, technicians, students, volunteers, and/or subcontractors.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • B.S. in Biology, Marine Biology, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Fisheries, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Oceanography, Bioacoustics, or a closely related scientific field.
  • Minimum of 2 years of relevant marine mammal monitoring, wildlife biology, aquatic ecology, fisheries, natural resources, bioacoustics, environmental monitoring, or field biology experience.
  • Demonstrated experience conducting biological or environmental fieldwork in Alaska or comparable northern, remote, cold-weather, coastal, riverine, tidal, ice-affected, or logistically complex field settings.
  • Experience conducting or supporting marine mammal, wildlife, aquatic, or environmental monitoring using standardized field protocols.
  • Experience with passive acoustic monitoring, soundscape monitoring, remote environmental sensors, camera systems, GPS units, field tablets, or related monitoring equipment.
  • Ability to collect, manage, review, and summarize biological and environmental field data, including observational, acoustic, geospatial, photographic, laboratory, metadata, and/or long-term monitoring data.
  • Ability to use GPS units, tablets, field data forms, radios, cameras, and related equipment to collect accurate field and geospatial data.
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and working knowledge of GIS software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or a similar GIS platform.
  • Experience contributing to or preparing technical reports, work plans, progress reports, data summaries, maps, tables, figures, comment-response matrices, metadata, or other project deliverables.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a field team in inclement weather, cold conditions, bear country, tidal areas, shoreline and vessel-based settings, rough terrain, and active military training areas.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Biology, Marine Biology, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Fisheries, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Oceanography, Bioacoustics, or a closely related scientific field.
  • More than 2 years of professional experience implementing marine mammal monitoring, passive acoustic monitoring, wildlife biology, aquatic ecology, environmental monitoring, natural resources, or field biology projects, especially long-term monitoring programs.
  • Experience working with the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, USACE, AFCEC, JBER, or other military, federal, state, tribal, or regulatory partners.
  • Substantial field experience in Alaska, particularly in coastal, riverine, estuarine, tidal, ice-affected, cold-weather, bear-country, remote, or Southcentral Alaska/Cook Inlet settings.
  • Experience leading biological or environmental field crews, including field logistics, scheduling, safety planning, supervision, data quality control, and coordination of seasonal staff, students, technicians, volunteers, or subcontractors.
  • Advanced experience with passive acoustic monitoring, marine mammal visual observations, soundscape analysis, underwater acoustic data processing, remote camera monitoring, ice monitoring, environmental sensor deployment, or eDNA sampling.
  • Experience with specialized monitoring tools and methods such as CPODs, FPODs, LS1 recorders, SoundTrap systems, hydrophones, HOBO loggers, time-lapse cameras, GIS-supported data management, contamination-control procedures, chain-of-custody documentation, or laboratory coordination.
  • Experience preparing technical work plans, progress reports, annual or final technical reports, acoustic or environmental data summaries, GIS deliverables, maps, figures, tables, comment-response matrices, property inventories, data packages, or other deliverables for agency, military, or regulatory clients.

Salary Range
$69,099-79,826
Required Application Documents
To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Transcripts
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
  • Review our detailed benefits information here.
  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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About Colorado State University

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Colorado State University is one of the nation’s top public Tier 1 Research universities and an institution on the rise. Our Ram success is driven by an ambition to be excellent in all we do combined with an unparalleled location that is one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant areas in the country. CSU is a higher education destination for working and learning for faculty, staff, and students from across Colorado, the nation, and around the globe. CSU has produced record enrollment in the past decade, built on all-time highs in student diversity and student success, experienced record fundraising and research expenditures that keep hitting new highs year-after-year, and our faculty are known nationally and internationally for their groundbreaking research. Among other recognition for research and creative scholarship, CSU was recognized in 2022 as one of 10 top research institutions in the world contributing to solving the COVID pandemic. CSU is thriving, with a five-year average enrollment of more than 33,400 students. The record-setting 2022 incoming class of 5,517 students reflects 25% from diverse populations and 24% who were first in their families to attend college. CSU graduates find success with 85% securing a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation. More than nine out of 10 Rams would select CSU again, demonstrating the quality of the campus and learning environments.

Industry

Education

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Fort Collins, CO, US

Year founded

1870

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