Biometrician 1/2/3 (Salmon Biometrician - PCN 111730)

About the Department

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries is recruiting

 for a Biometrician 1/2/3 located in Anchorage or Juneau, Alaska!

What you will be doing: 
As a member of the Chief Fisheries Scientist for Salmon Office in the Research and Data Services program, the incumbent to this position works with a team of fisheries scientists, biologists, regional research coordinators, and senior-level biometricians to design, plan and perform statistical analyses to support State of Alaska needs for sustainable management.  This position`s primary responsibilities are to provide biometric support for assessment of finfish and shellfish populations statewide and to support the Alaska Pacific Salmon Treaty team. This position is also responsible for effectively communicating assessment results to diverse working groups (scientists, managers, industry, public), and authoring fisheries reports, technical publications, and external manuscripts.   

Our mission, values, and culture: 
This position helps fulfill the division’s mission to manage subsistence, commercial, and personal use fisheries in the interest of the economy and general well-being of the citizens of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle by conducting scientifically sound assessments to help manage sustainable uses of Alaska’s fish, shellfish and aquatic plant resources.

To achieve this mission, the incumbent’s main responsibilities are: 1) organize and analyze fisheries data, 2) interpret stock assessment results with appropriate descriptions of uncertainty and provide neutral recommendations along with their associated risk to fishery managers, 3) strive to improve assessment methods, and 4) communicate assessment results and recommendations clearly and effectively.  

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.

The benefits of joining our team: 
Within the Chief Fisheries Scientist for Salmon Office, the incumbent is a member of a diverse, dynamic, and committed team of specialists who collaborate to develop and implement applications for estimating abundance and distribution of anadromous fish species, monitoring fish health, marking and aging individual fish, and using genetics for a wide range of applications for finfish species statewide. This position offers a challenging and fulfilling, professional opportunity to collaborate with biologists, decision makers, scientists, and biometricians across state and federal agencies to ensure the best available science is used to sustainably manage the resources of the State of Alaska for the benefit of the people of Alaska.

The working environment you can expect: 
This full-time position is based at the ADF&G office in Anchorage or Juneau, Alaska. This is a dynamic position with regular interactions with scientists, three world-class laboratories, biometricians, as well as ADF&G staff from other divisions, and provides potential for collaborations with university, federal, and international researchers. There are opportunities to travel within Alaska, the U.S., and internationally for meetings and, when necessary, can include field sampling at remote locations or living and working aboard research vessels. This position occasionally requires time working outside normal business hours and on weekends for meetings and work sessions. We offer flexibility with work schedules and options for hybrid telework. Requires frequent travel in-state (2-5 trips/year) and out-of-state (1-2 trips/year) typically 2-5 days in length for various meetings. These trips may include international travel to Canada.  This position may also require travel in float planes and working in inclement weather and at sea.

Who we are looking for:
We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

• Thorough knowledge of statistical, mathematical, and population dynamics theory along with the principles and techniques of quantitative biological research.
• An ability to use contemporary statistical coding tools (e.g., R, git, markdown, Python).
• Strong oral and written communication skills for the presentation of scientific and policy issues to a diverse audience.
• Experience with preparing reports and publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven ability to work with a high degree of independence and as part of a team, and as a contributor to a positive and supportive working environment.

To view the general description and example of duties for a Biometrician 1, 2, or 3 please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Special Note:
A valid driver's license is preferred.

This position may be in possession of, or have access to, firearms/ammunition.

Valid passport for travel to Canada and the ability to legally enter Canada.
CPR/First Aid Certification. Training will be provided by the department at no cost to the employee. 

Position Duties

Biometrician 1:
A master's degree from an accredited college in biometrics, statistics, or one of the biological sciences including or supplemented by 18 semester or 27 quarter hours of graduate level statistics and/or biometrics.

Special Note:
Graduate level statistics and/or biometrics classes usually have course numbers of 500 or higher.

An individual who will complete the educational requirements and obtain the required master's degree within six months may apply and be considered for a vacancy. Such applicants may be given a conditional job offer but may not be appointed until receipt of the required degree has been documented.

Biometrician 2:
A master's degree from an accredited college in biometrics, statistics, or one of the biological sciences including or supplemented by 18 semester or 27 quarter hours of graduate level statistics and/or biometrics.
AND
One year of experience practicing as a biometrician at the first working level. With the State of Alaska, this experience is equivalent to a Biometrician 1.

Substitution: Any combination of two years of additional qualifying graduate study and professional experience in a position where primary responsibility is statistical analysis and design related to fish or game resource management or research will substitute for the required one year of biometrics experience.

Special Note: 
Graduate level statistics and/or biometrics classes usually have course numbers of 500 or higher.

Biometrician 3:
A master's degree from an accredited college in biometrics, statistics or one of the biological sciences including or supplemented by 18 semester or 27 quarter hours of graduate level statistics and/or biometrics.
AND
Two years of experience at the full proficiency level of professional biometric research. With the State of Alaska, this experience is equivalent to a Biometrician 2.

Substitution: Any combination totaling four years of additional qualifying graduate study and related professional experience including two years in a position where primary responsibility was statistical analysis and design related to fish or wildlife resource management or research will substitute for the required two years of biometric experience.

Special Note: 
Graduate level statistics and/or biometrics classes usually have course numbers of 500 or higher.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please provide at time of application submission:

1. Cover letter
2. CV or resume
3. Transcripts, if using to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial are accepted). 

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

1. Three (3) professional References with current contact information.
2. At least two (2) examples of professional or technical writing for which you are the sole or senior author.

COVER LETTER

Please express your interest in the position, highlight any qualifications pertinent to this position, and elaborate on experiences that showcase your effectiveness for this position. Cover letter should not exceed 2 pages in length with 12-point font. 

A cover letter is required for this position and will be used as a writing sample. In your cover letter please describe your reason(s) for applying for the position and clearly identify how your specific competencies relate to the job described in the posting. Your cover letter will serve as an additional example of your writing and communication skills and will be used as part of the recruitment and selection process. 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.

FLEXIBLY STAFFED 
This position is flexibly staffed. It may be filled at the 1, 2, or 3 level, depending on the applicant's trainingand/or experience. The full range of salaries is listed above. Starting salary will be determined by the level theposition is hired at. If filled at a lower level, promotion to the higher level will occur upon successful completion ofthe probationary period and required training, as well as the applicant meeting the minimum qualifications of thehigher job class.

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/competencies, 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 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 aides 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 to[email protected].
 
For applicant password assistance please visit: 

https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword 

Other Qualifications

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
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• 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

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of AlaskaAddress PO Box 110201

Juneau, Alaska, 99811 Phone(800) 587-0430 (Statewide toll-free number)
(907) 465-4095 (Juneau and out-of-state callers)Website http://workplace.alaska.gov/