POSITION TITLE: fish and wildlife technician

Hiring Organization/Employer: State Of Alaska 
Application Deadline:  9/4/26
Education Required:  none
Location:  Anchorage, AK

Description:  

 As a technician with the Gulf & Bering - Marine Mammal Program, you will assist with preparing for and conducting multiple field research and office-based projects throughout Alaska. This position manages operation of the Program’s fleet of skiffs (range 15 to 23 feet) and field equipment, including vessel scheduling, maintenance, preparedness, and modifications to suit the program’s needs. The position independently coordinates field logistics supporting research, including contracting with research vessel operators, acting as liaison between vessel crews and the science party, collaborating with Wildlife Biologists, and supervising Fish & Wildlife Technicians to prepare and execute field research. Depending on the fieldwork load, this position may perform duties year-round or may fill in support with desktop duties when fieldwork load is light. 

 

 

Compensation & Benefits:  

 

 

 

Responsibilities:  

 This position is currently staffed in the ADF&G office located in Anchorage. An office is provided for desk work, and you will be responsible for managing the dedicated warehouse/maintenance shop. This position can require multiple bouts of extended travel (1-3 weeks per trip) away from the duty station, mostly during summer months, though additional time away may be possible during all seasons depending upon project needs.  

Alaska's rugged coasts are subject to all types of meteorological events, regardless of season, and consequently our field work can occur during harsh and uncomfortable conditions including cool, foggy, windy, and downright wet weather. Field duties are generally conducted by small boat, though some locations or circumstances will require hiking on wet, muddy, primitive trails along steep slopes and near cliff edges. The daily field work schedule is tide/weather/daylight dependent, so it includes early mornings, late evenings, split shifts, weekend and holiday work. Access to professional medical care is not readily available, and emergency response time is measured in hours or days rather than minutes.

  • Requires ability to operate skiffs and back trailers.

  • Requires the ability to work in cold, wet, and otherwise in climate weather for extended periods

  • Experience operating small skiffs in challenging conditions requiring strong situational awareness and a keen understanding of animal behavior so that researchers can work near large concentrations of wary animals. Previous experience observing, working with, or handling wildlife is helpful. 
  • Experience procuring, building, modifying, and/or maintaining things like boats, outboard motors, cabins, sampling equipment, small engines, electronics, optics, etc.  Skills in the trades, such as small engine repair and maintenance, metal fabrication and welding, electrical, and carpentry is highly desirable. Skills with electronics such as cameras, computers etc. are helpful.  
  • Experience with "off-the-grid" living aboard charter vessels or in remote field camps where meeting our research objectives is dependent upon our ability to be self-sufficient.  Candidate is expected to operate, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain project equipment such as skiffs, outboard motors, generators, electronics, and various living structures. 
  • Experience using computers and software for inventory tracking, accessing technical manuals, writing SOPs, writing contracts, basic data entry, create summaries, generate figures and tables, writing basic reports. Ability to follow instructions or a protocol and produce a high-quality final product.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:  

 High school graduation or the equivalent.
AND
One year of experience as an advanced fish and wildlife technician or aide. With the State of Alaska, this experience is equivalent to Fish and Wildlife Technician 4.
OR
Six years of technical laboratory and/or field experience involving fish or wildlife research, management, or habitat protection; as a commercial fisher, guide, or trapper; or a subsistence hunter or fisher.

 

 

 

How to Apply:  

 

Provide at the time of application: 

  • Cover letter
  • Resume/CV
  • Transcripts, if using to meet minimum qualifications (unofficial copies are acceptable). 

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

  • Three (3) references, including current phone numbers, two of which must be supervisors from recent employment. 

A cover letter is required for this position. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. All of the Desired Strengths listed above in the "who we are looking for," section of the job posting must be documented in your cover letter and applicant profile or your application may be processed as incomplete, and you will not advance to the next step in the selection process. If you do not have experience with one or more of the strengths listed above, simply state so in your cover letter. 

 

 

 

 

Contact:  

 

Linnea Pearson, Wildlife Biologist 4