Fisheries Biologist

The Kuskokwim River is the longest free flowing river in the U.S. and still has no connections to the road system (Aniak is only accessible by air/river barge).  

Position Overview:

This is not your typical biologist position. It combines research and monitoring with outreach, education, capacity building, cooperation, and ensuring the sustainability of Native Alaskan subsistence culture -- it's about people and place as much as fish.

You will be working on cooperative fisheries management including leading fisheries monitoring and research projects in cooperation with state and federal management agencies, mentoring and supervising technicians and interns, and working with people, schools, and communities through the KNA Fisheries Community Outreach Program.

This is a unique opportunity to use creative biology/ecology, cultural, mentoring, leadership, and communication skills to build on the existing KNA Fisheries Program which has strong local resident, and state and federal agency support. This is a full-time position funded by grants from the Federal Office of Subsistence Management and the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative and is located in Aniak, Alaska.

The Fisheries Biologist will be under the general supervision of the KNA Fisheries Director and will work with various Native organizations, non-government organizations, state agencies, and federal agencies.

Responsibilities:

1. Direct KNA Fisheries project involvement (30%) to ensure successful and continued annual implementation and gradual increase of KNA involvement in the fisheries research and monitoring project including Kuskokwim Coho Salmon Radio Telemetry and Run-reconstruction, Salmon River Weir, Whitefish Radio Telemetry and Migrational Studies, and additional studies as directed. This direction shall include but is not limited to:

• directing logistical needs,
• conducting fisheries field work,
• supervising and training KNA and cooperating agency fisheries technicians,
• planning projects,
• writing reports, proposal, and project plans,
• managing budgets and spending, tracking expenses, ensuring camps are adequately supplied, ensuring project objectives are being met by onsite evaluation, securing short-term and long-term funding,
• ensuring KNA members know about project plans, results, and management implications, attending technical meetings to present and make project plans (e.g. AFS, AYKSSI, and interagency staff meetings), and ensuring that all grant requirements are met.
• This duty also includes developing research and monitoring funding proposals and plans for future projects.
• One of the primary goals of the KNA Fisheries Department is to increase our technical involvement in fisheries research and monitoring in the Kuskokwim River region.

2. Assisting in the KNA Fisheries Department internship programs and technician hiring and training (20%). Current internship programs including a college internship program and a high school internship program . This duty shall include but is not limited to:

• recruiting interns and technicians, mentoring and supervising interns and technicians, directing the development and implementation of high school internship curriculums,
• securing short- and long-term funding, managing the fisheries scholarship program,
• working with the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program and/or other university programs, working with the University of Alaska Fairbanks to ensure college interns receive credit,
• working with village teachers to ensure high school students meet state standards for their internship experiences, evaluating and improving intern programs,
• identifying and pursuing future internship program opportunities (e.g. working with the Marine Advisory Program sponsored interagency group to promote Rural and Native Alaskans in Fisheries),
• and developing and implementing employee training and retention programs.
• One of the primary goals of the KNA Fisheries Department is to increase the number of local residents working in the fisheries field.

3. Assist with the KNA Fisheries Department Community Outreach Program (25%) providing multi-directional fisheries outreach to KNA members and KNA member Tribes -- meaning that you provide information and listen, adjusting your plans accordingly and bring community concerns to the KNA Fisheries Director, KNA Executive Director, KNA Board, and management agencies.

This outreach will be for all ages of people from elementary school children to local government representatives. This duty shall include working closely with the KNA Fisheries Director to prioritized and plan outreach efforts. This duty shall specifically include but is not limited to:

• attending and presenting project results at regional fisheries management meetings (e.g. Kuskokwim Salmon Working Group, Federal Regional Advisory Councils, State Advisory Committees),
• planning and organizing community fisheries meetings in KNA villages to communicate with members about fisheries projects, internship programs, and fisheries issues,
• visiting schools to teach students and teachers about fisheries biology, ecology, management, monitoring, and research,
• working with teachers on school fisheries education programs,
• and writing and publishing fisheries articles in local news papers and a semi-annual news letter.

One of the primary goals of the KNA Fisheries Department is to increase the quality of communication among our member villages, our Department, and management agencies to facilitate greater local involvement in Kuskokwim River fisheries management.

4. Assist KNA Fisheries Director with Department administration responsibilities (20%) including ensuring that grant requirements are met (e.g. reporting, finance reporting, and other administrative requirements), completing personnel paperwork, ensuring personnel policies are adhered to, assisting with tracking employee time, assisting with office organization and purchases, documenting equipment and maintenance, planning employee scheduling and travel, and other administrative duties as directed.

This duty also includes assisting Fisheries Director with Departmental strategic planning and other related duties. These administrative duties are essential to a proper functioning Department and since KNA is a small organization these duties must be shared by all employees.

5. Assisting local advisory groups and member villages (5%) with fisheries management regulation proposals and fisheries monitoring and research funding proposals, plans, and implementation. Another primary goal of the KNA Fisheries Department is to assist our member villages in becoming involved in the fisheries management processes. This duty may require direct assistance (e.g. training, field assistance, document review, or equipment loan) or simply providing data and information.

Qualifications:

Candidates should have the desire, ability, and respectfulness to work with small communities and people of all ages. Candidate must clearly show dedication to ensuring sustainability of subsistence fisheries and an understanding (or a willingness to learn) about local Native cultures.

Candidates must have a solid understanding of fisheries and ecological principles and a B.S. Degree from an accredited college with a major in Fisheries or a related field. Additional studies or experiences in human dimensions (e.g. outreach, capacity development, cultural anthropology, and/or education) is a plus.

Candidates must also have 3 years of relevant professional work experience (M.S. Degree substitutes for 2 years experience). Candidates must possess strong field/outdoor skills, experiences, and the ability and attitude to learn about local environments (experiences operating boats and living in remote environments are a plus).

Candidates must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, be willing to spend up to 2 weeks at remote field camps, and be willing to travel to Kuskokwim area villages and regional meetings (25-50% of winter work time). Experiences with 501c3 non-profit organizations and/or Tribal organizations are a plus.

Compensation: Salary: $50,000 - $60,000, depending on qualifications, plus benefits.

Closing Date: The position is open until filled.

To Apply:

Please e-mail a cover letter and résumé to Mike Thalhauser, KNA Fisheries Director.