The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation is recruiting for a Biometrician 1/2/3 Flex located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, or Douglas!

What you will be doing:

We are seeking an aspiring individual with a solid background in statistics and an interest in promoting scientifically driven practices for wildlife management and conservation. In this position, you will be part of a team that conducts research throughout Alaska and on a diverse array of birds and small mammals, including species of greatest conservation need and waterfowl. If selected for this position, you will provide support to all aspects of research including field data collection, study design, biometric analysis, and the interpretation of findings. You will communicate regularly with ADF&G biologists to assist with their biometric needs and present your work to the scientific community through presentations, reports, and peer-reviewed journal articles.

Our organization, mission, and culture: 

The mission of the Division of Wildlife Conservation is to conserve and enhance Alaska's wildlife and habitats and provide for a wide range of public uses and benefits. This position will play a vital role in assessing population trends, demographic rates, and threats to Alaska's wildlife, and will help identify novel solutions to maintain populations of harvested species and recover species of conservation concern before they become threatened or endangered. 

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.

Benefits of joining our team:

In addition to receiving a competitive salary and benefits package, you will be offered a unique opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the understanding and management of Alaska’s wildlife while also enjoying steady professional development through training opportunities such as workshops and continuing education courses, collaboration with biologists in all aspects of research including fieldwork, and engagement with the greater scientific community at conferences or as an author of scientific manuscripts. As a successful applicant, you will have a flexible work schedule and a choice among several duty stations. You may also have the opportunity to telework if desired. 

The working conditions you can expect:

You have the option of working in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Douglas, or Juneau. You will communicate with your peers via regular staff meetings and routinely interact with biologists, biometricians, and application developers to ensure that high level service and best possible solutions are delivered for each project. In this position, you frequently rely on remote conferencing tools for communications since the majority of biologists and team members reside at various locations across Alaska. You should, however, expect to travel as needed to work with team members and biologists at other duty stations or to conduct fieldwork. In this position, you will need to be highly motivated and expect to often work independently to provide biometric solutions.

Requires frequent travel within the state for fieldwork and/or coordination with other regional offices. Trips may range in length from 3 - 15 days.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for a motivated biometrician to assist the division’s Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity Program (TED Program) and Waterfowl Program. 

The successful candidate will have some or all of the following desired strengths. To be considered for an interview, you must submit a cover letter that describes your work experience pertaining to each of the following numbered topics below. If you do not have experience with one or more of the topics listed below, simply say so. Your application should also include a resume or CV, academic transcripts, and contact info for three (3) professional or academic references including one individual who has received statistical assistance from you.              

• Demonstrated knowledge of statistical theory and techniques of quantitative biology. Knowledge should include an understanding of experimental design, and principles of population dynamics (e.g. population projection models, density dependence, growth curves). 
• Experience designing robust field-based studies of wildlife populations using a variety of different sampling techniques.
• Familiarity with a broad array of analytical approaches for wildlife data collection and analysis. These may include multivariate and nonparametric methods, generalized linear models, mixed effects models, hierarchical models, population size estimation using mark-recapture, line transect distance sampling, double sampling techniques, occupancy modeling, survival analysis, population trend estimation, Bayesian approaches, integrated population models, movement analysis, and resource selection analysis.  Applicants need not be proficient at all techniques. Experience with Program R and Jags is desired. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate statistical concepts and analytical results in a clear, understandable manner to staff members and lay audiences. Experience collaborating with or assisting biologists with statistical projects.
• Ability to communicate in written form via technical reports or journal publications and in oral presentations at meetings and conferences, ability to prepare publication quality graphics and maps. 
• Demonstrated familiarity with wildlife species common to Alaska and their basic life histories and interest and ability to conduct field work in rugged, remote, and challenging environments. 

To view the general description and example of duties for a Biometrician 1/2/3 Flex 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.