Description

NOW HIRING: Wildlife Biologist 

The North Slope Borough (NSB) Department of Wildlife Management (DWM) (www.north-slope.org/ departments/wildlife-management) is seeking a Wildlife Biologist. The NSB is a municipal government encompassing the entire North Slope of Alaska (88,000 mi2). Residents of the NSB live subsistence lifestyles and harvest a broad range of both terrestrial and marine animals, including caribou, polar bears, whales, seals, and walrus. 

This position has two primary roles:

(1)                Conduct research to inform sustainable wildlife management decisions. The successful candidate will identify research questions that are relevant to terrestrial wildlife species that are harvested for subsistence by North Slope residents; develop appropriate research methods; lead and participate in field data collection; analyze data; and prepare technical reports and scientific manuscripts. The candidate will author peer-reviewed publications, present at professional conferences and meetings, and meet with local communities and other audiences to disseminate findings 

(2)                Participate in ongoing caribou research. The successful candidate will collaborate with established research partners to collect, analyze, and interpret caribou movement and harvest data to inform wildlife management decisions. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in several of the following skill sets:  animal capture methods; analysis of telemetry data–including movement rates, habitat use, and responses to infrastructure; GIS and remote sensing applications to evaluate snow conditions, vegetation, phenology, and topography; caribou population biology especially related to modeling of harvest and predation; and statistical analysis using R or Python. 

Qualifications:  

A bachelor’s degree in biology or wildlife management and two years of experience. Although an advanced degree is not required, the strongest candidates will likely hold an advanced degree in biology, wildlife management, ecology, or a related field. Candidates should also demonstrate quantitative skills equivalent to those typically developed through graduate-level training at the M.S. or Ph.D. level.  

Successful applicants holding an advanced degree will receive a premium of 2% above base salary for an M.S. and 7% for a Ph.D. Preference will be given to applicants with: (1) a strong quantitative background; (2) experience working with Indigenous peoples and related issues; (3) field experience in remote locations and ability to fly in small planes; (4) a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively; and (5) enthusiasm for living and working in a remote but vibrant community.

Base salary:  

$3,563.51 bi-weekly; $92,651.26 annually 

NSB Benefits:  

       Excellent benefit packages, including:  Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, and options for Family Medical Leave. 

       State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and supplemental annuity plans, including pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) options. 

       Paid time off and 14 additional days of paid holiday leave per year. 

       Relocation expenses up to $7,500. 

       Annual step increases in salary, typically 2%.

Location:  

The successful applicant must live and work in Utqiavik (Barrow), Alaska. 

Application:  

To apply for the position, go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northslope and apply for PR#15-26-008. 

Note that multiple positions are open; the applicant needs to apply to PR#15-26-008 to be considered for this position.  

For more information contact Todd Sformo (todd.sformo@north-slope.org)