Fish Game Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $3,168.00 Biweekly
Location : Homer, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 54899
Department: Fish & Game
Division: Commercial Fisheries
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 5:00 PM Alaska
Division: Commercial Fisheries
Position Open To: All Applicants
Bargaining Unit: Supervisory
Range: 19
Job Description
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 all Applicants.
NOTE: The recruitment period for this vacancy has been broadened and extended to allow for a larger applicant pool.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting
for a Boat Officer 4 located in Homer, Alaska!
What you will be doing:
This position is responsible for the safe operation, navigation/piloting, and maintenance of the R/V Equinox. This 85 ft vessel is currently in refit status, nearing completion in Newport, Oregon. The Equinox will serve as a working base for at sea biological assessment projects by conducting fisheries surveys and on-site management of commercial fisheries. The incumbent in this position will be asked to locate and obtain biological samples using a wide variety of commercial gear types including; longlines, bottom and surface trawls, drift gillnets, dredges, pots and ROV transects while adhering to requirements and techniques of scientific procedure. Duties also include supervising a vessel crew of 3 or more in addition to administrative tasks such as: Budget oversight and expense tracking. Preparing detailed "requests for quotations" for major maintenance and repair projects. Implementing and monitoring shipyard work while adhering to procurement procedures.
Our mission, values, and culture:
The mission of ADF&G is to protect, maintain, and improve the fish, game, and aquatic plant resources of the state, and manage their use and development in the best interest of the economy and the well-being of the people of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle. The core services of the Commercial Fisheries Division are to ensure the conservation of natural stocks of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants based on scientifically sound assessments. Through coordination with staff biologist, the Equinox captain will conduct vessel-based surveys to collect assessment data necessary to achieve these goals. The work conducted from this vessel supports the sustainable management of some of the most important fisheries in the state including Bristol Bay salmon, Norton Sound king crab, Yukon River Chinook salmon and southeast Alaska rockfish fishery.
The Benefits of joining our team:
This position will provide opportunity to work in some of the most exciting marine environments in Alaska on a state vessel equipped with modern electronics and fishing equipment. The incumbent will work with a wide variety of highly competent staff while conducting important fisheries surveys across the state. The wide variety of fishery gear types employed creates a challenging opportunity for a team- oriented mariner with a solid working knowledge of multiple gear types. The incumbent is provided with medical benefits, paid leave and sea duty pay. Sea duty is additional compensation for days at sea.
The working environment you can expect:
The Equinox is home ported in Homer and conducts research/assessment work in in Cook Inlet, North Gulf Coast, Prince William Sound, Bristol Bay, Norton Sound and southeast Alaska. Captain and vessel crew will be living aboard the vessel for between 80 and 120 days a year while on surveys. Under normal conditions a 12 hour day is standard and 24-hour operation is often required during long range transits between surveys. While in port between surveys, or in off season the incumbent divides "in town" tasks between administrative duties and vessel maintenance, repairs and upgrades.
Who we are looking for:
We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of staff with experience levels ranging from novice to highly experienced researchers with extensive maritime and fisheries experience.
• Effective, adaptive, and documentable supervision of crew while at sea. Proven skills in resolving personnel issues in a fair, effective manner.
• Extensive "hands-on" operation and maneuvering of a deep draft vessel in heavy currents, wind and seas, often while restricted in ability to maneuver.
• Commercial fishing or fisheries experience with a wide variety of gear types including long-line, surface and bottom trawls, gillnets, purse seines, scallop dredges and crab/shrimp pots.
• Strong mechanical and electrical skills as they pertain to the repair and maintenance of propulsion, hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems typically found on vessels of 58 feet or more in length.
• Ability to work independently and make effective decisions under pressure with minimal or no direct supervision.
• Safety oriented with training in marine safety procedures and conducting drills.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Boat Officer 4, please go to the
following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs
Special Note:

• A valid Driver's License is required.
• Must have a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master`s License. Must have the physical capacity for arduous work and extended time at sea. A valid Alaska Driver`s license is required.
• Desirable licenses include a U.S. Coast Guard operator or Engineer license, 100-ton Master or Merchant Mariner`s Documents: Seafarer or able Seafarer.
• A Federal Communications Radiotelephone Operator License is required prior to attaining permanent status. Must have physical capacity for arduous work and extended time at sea.
• A thorough knowledge of U.S. Coast Guard regulations and rules of the road, seamanship, ship handling, maritime safety procedures, fire training, navigation methods, and techniques. Ability to supervise crew and passengers, operate computers, understand and manage the budget, and perform other administrative functions related to purchasing and vessel repair. Must remain current with First aid and CPR training, advances in shipboard systems and scientific sampling equipment.

Minimum Qualifications
Two years of work experience, as
1) captain, second-in-command or relief captain to the vessel captain of vessel(s) of 70 feet in overall length or larger, performing the skilled level of operation and piloting of vessel(s) OR
2) responsible for performing complex repairs to, and maintenance of, marine engines, equipment and systems on vessels of 70 feet in overall length or larger which do not require a full-time engineering position OR
3) captain of vessel(s) of 46 feet or larger in overall length with full responsibility for its operation and piloting. Positions are responsible for the vessel's maintenance, repair and modification, budget proposals and fiscal control, schedule development and similar duties related to the operation of the vessel.
OR
Four years of work experience serving as a relief captain of vessels 46 feet in overall length or larger in the absence of the captain, and in possession of a 100-ton license.
Special Note:
Must have a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master's License.
Must have the physical capacity for arduous work and extended time at sea.
Desirable Qualifications:
A U.S. Coast Guard Operator or Engineer license is highly desirable.
TERMINOLOGY AND LICENSES:
DOCUMENTABLE DAYS: Days at sea for which proof of service can be produced. As per U.S. Coast Guard definition, a day is defined as 8 hours of work. Because much maritime service is based on a 12-hour day, a 12-hour day may be counted as 1-1/2 days.
FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Permit: A permit to operate marine radios, SSB or VHF.
LICENSES:
U.S. Coast Guard Engineer's License: A Merchant Marine Engineering Officer license.
U.S. Coast Guard Master's License: A Merchant Marine Deck Officer license issued with restrictions on gross tonnage of the vessel (e.g. 50 tons, 100 tons, 1600 tons), as well as route restrictions (e.g. inland, near coastal, upon ocean). It is recognition by the U.S. Coast Guard of experience and qualification for carrying passengers or freight.
U.S. Coast Guard Operator's License: A license formally called "Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels", more commonly referred to as a 'six pack" license, because limitation is to 100 gross tons/6 passengers.
Merchant Mariner's Documents
Ordinary Seaman: this is an entry level Merchant Mariner document, requiring no experience and no examination. It does require a drug test and proof of citizenship
Able Seaman grade: An able seaman is a rating issued based upon experience and an examination, but is not an officer.
SECOND-IN-COMMAND: The person recognized by the master as second-in-command. Authority on the vessel devolves to the second-in-command through, and at the discretion of, the master.
RELIEF CAPTAIN: The person recognized by the master as second-in-command. Authority on the vessel devolves to the second-in-command through, and at the discretion of, the master.
VESSEL: In the Boat Officer series specifications, the term "vessel" refers to a vessel larger than 28 feet in overall length.
Vessels are categorized as follows:
Small Vessel 28 feet to 45 feet
Medium Vessel 46 feet to 69 feet
Large Vessel 70 feet and larger
Additional Required Information
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please provide at time of application submission:

1. Cover letter
2. Copies of applicable merchant mariner's documents and licenses.

If selected, please provide the following at the time of the interview:

1. Transcripts, if using to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial copies are acceptable)
2. A list of three (3) professional references with current daytime phone numbers, one must be an employee/crew member the applicant has directly supervised.
3. Resume/CV.

COVER LETTER
A cover letter is required for this position. The cover letter should highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and demonstrated experience as they pertain to this position. Please attach the cover letter to your application before submitting it online or, 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
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.
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 ac