Research Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $2,888.80 Biweekly
Location : Homer, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 54274
Department: Fish & Game
Division: Commercial Fisheries
Opening Date: 06/23/2026
Closing Date: 7/6/2026 5:00 PM Alaska
Division: Commercial Fisheries
Position Open To: Alaska Residents Only
Bargaining Unit: Supervisory
Range: 18
Job Description
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 Commercial Fisheries is recruiting
for a Fishery Biologist 3 located in Homer, Alaska!
What you will be doing:
• Develop the pre-season salmon forecast for Lower Cook Inlet;
• Prepare inseason projections of harvest and total run for Lower Cook Inlet salmon stocks;
• Develop and evaluate spawning escapement and harvest goals;
• Ensure data are properly collected, analyzed, distributed, and archived;
• Design and implement studies to identify and manage mixed stock fisheries.
Our mission, values, and culture:
The Alaska Department of Fish & 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. At the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, we strive to maintain the State's fish resources and fish habitat consistent with the interest of the economy and well-being of all Alaskan citizens established in the sustained yield principle.
The benefits of joining our team:
This position is the Area Research Biologist for the Lower Cook Inlet Management Area and provides an excellent career opportunity leading a team of professional staff to answer fisheries questions that guide management decisions in Lower Cook Inlet. This position oversees multiple fisheries projects including assessing salmon escapement, several video weirs, and commercial catch sampling). Responsibilities include, planning, budgeting, developing, implementing, supervising, and conducting field studies for salmon. The position synthesizes fishery information to evaluate spawning escapement goals, generates salmon forecasts and inseason run projections, and provides inseason data interpretation that guides harvest strategies for commercially harvested stocks. Homer is a vibrant community of the Kenai Peninsula and offers many recreational opportunites including fresh and saltwater fishing, and exploring nearby Kamishak Bay.
The working environment you can expect:
This position will be stationed in Homer. Most of the time, work will be conducted in an office setting. However, during the salmon season (May-August) the incumbent will assist with the deployment and initial setup of fish weirs, conducting stream walks and aerial surveys to assess salmon escapement, and assesing the contribution of hatchery stocks to commerical fisheries.. Overnight travel to field camps for periods up to 1 week in duration are likely to occur 1-3 times annually. The selected candidate will work in an environment that is part of a friendly and collaborative work environment of administrative staff. Fully remote work is not an option; however, a hybrid telework schedule may be an option once probation is complete.
Who we are looking for:
We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:
Fishery Biology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of aquatic life, including classification, taxonomy, population dynamics, distribution, habitat requirements, life histories, reproduction, behaviors, conservation, and care of aquatic species
1.Comprehensive knowledge and experience assessing fish populations in rivers.
2.Ability to plan, organize, and oversee complex field projects and manage associated budgets.
3.Experience directing the work of personnel in remote and semi-remote field environments.
4.Experience using personal computers in the field for data collection and in the office for data analysis and reporting.
5.Experience generating technical documents including research reports and operational plans.
Professionalism: Consistently displays the collection of competencies and skill expected of a professional. Professionalism is defined by its key behaviors including being accountable for actions and assigned projects; practicing efficient work habits to effectively manage time and workload; clearly communicating and expressing thoughts and ideas in writing and in person; possessing the ability to understand how non-verbal communication impacts the workplace; working effectively as part of a team to achieve productive outcomes; and consistently demonstrating, emotional intelligence, integrity, and ethical behavior.
Research: Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
To view the general description and example of duties for a Fishery Biologist 3 please go to the
following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs
Special Note:
A valid driver's license is required.
This position may be in possession of, or have access to, firearms/ammunition.
The incumbent is also encouraged to:

• attend Peace Officer/Law Enforcement training to become a State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game Peace Officer; and
• obtain First Aid/CPR certification. Provided by the department at no cost to the employee.

Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, fisheries science, or natural resource management;
AND
One year of full performance professional experience as a biologist or fish culturist. The required professional biologist work experience is met by service as a Fishery Biologist 2, Fish Culturist 2, Wildlife Biologist 2, Habitat Biologist 2, or Fisheries Geneticist 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.
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:
• at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in biology, a branch of biology, limnology, biometrics, oceanography, forestry, aquaculture, aquatic ecology, fisheries resources, 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.
Additional Required Information
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please provide at time of application submission:

1. Cover letter

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

1. Transcripts, to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial copies are acceptable)
2. A list of three (3) professional references with current contact information (daytime phone numbers).
3. Example of a written report, authored by the applicant, relating to fisheries research or a stock assessment.

COVER LETTER
A cover letter is required for this position and will be used as a writing sample. The cover letter should highlight your knowledge, skills, abilities, and demonstrated experience as they pertain to the 5 competencies for fisheries biology as listed above in the "Who we are looking for section." 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 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 at
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 to
For applicant password assistance please visit:
Contact Information
For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager:Jack Erickson, Fish and Wildlife Coordinator
Phone: (907) 267-2376
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefi