Fishery Biologist ; Kodiak Salmon and Herring Area Management Biologist - PCN

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 (Kodiak Salmon and Herring area Management Biologist) located in Kodiak, Alaska!

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is seeking a skilled Fisheries Biologist 3 to lead the management of commercial and subsistence salmon and herring fisheries in the Kodiak Management Area (KMA). This key leadership role involves designing, budgeting, planning, and implementing fisheries management activities, including issuing emergency orders in accordance with 11 Board of Fisheries-approved regulatory management plans to effectively regulate large-scale, multimillion-dollar salmon and herring fisheries.

• Collecting and analyzing data critical to informed management decisions, including estimates of herring biomass and salmon escapement through aerial surveys in single-engine fixed-wing aircraft, vessel-based surveys from state-owned and contracted research vessels, and daily counts from salmon weir camps.
• Monitoring fleet effort, distribution, harvest rates, and total harvests through extensive communication with field biologists, technicians, fishermen, and processors via in-person contacts, phone, radio and email.
• Serving as the primary point of contact for complex or high-profile commercial fishery issues in the KMA, representing the department to agencies and the public.
• Determining and implementing necessary management actions (e.g., defining harvest areas, fishing periods or limits) in coordination with Federal Subsistence Managers, regional fisheries managers, research biologists, and sport fish managers.
• Supervising two Fisheries Biologist 2s and one Fisheries Biologist 1 responsible for operating four major salmon weirs (Karluk, Ayakulik, Upper Station, and Dog Salmon).
• Preparing comprehensive written reports and materials on area fisheries and projects, including harvest strategies, management plans, project operational plans, season summaries, annual management reports, escapement goal reports, and proposals for the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
• Delivering presentations on fisheries data, management strategies, and project outcomes to diverse audiences, including the Alaska Board of Fisheries, Kodiak Regional Planning Team, Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association, Federal Subsistence Board, local Native corporations and Tribal councils, Fish and Game Advisory Committee, and other stakeholder groups.
• Managing budgets for KMA commercial salmon and herring fishery projects, including apportioning and expending approximately $500,000 in annual general funds across multiple salmon and two herring projects.

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to play a central role in sustaining Alaska’s world-class fisheries resources while supporting vibrant coastal communities.

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and well-being are paramount, and employees at all levels promote a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully. This position is a professional-level Fisheries Biologist position with direct influence over Alaska’s valuable salmon and herring resources. As a key member of the Kodiak salmon management team, you will conduct real-time assessments of local salmon and herring stocks during the fishing season, providing critical data to ensure commercial fishing activities are managed sustainably and support long-term resource health.

This position leads a dedicated team of biologists and technical staff in managing the high-profile commercial salmon and herring fisheries of the Kodiak Management Area. The role requires an incumbent skilled in navigating uncertainty and developing innovative solutions to complex management challenges. Overseeing some of Alaska’s most productive and iconic salmon and herring stocks provides exceptional opportunities for professional growth…