Fisheries Biologist

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about ensuring the long-term sustainability of fish in Alberta? The Government of Alberta invites you to join our team as a Fisheries Biologist.

Reporting to the Senior Fisheries Biologist, you will function as a full working‑level professional responsible for planning and delivering fisheries assessment programs in the Northeast Region. The position supports the sustainable management of fish populations and fish habitat through data collection and analysis, technical reporting, and participation in regional and provincial initiatives.

The role involves a combination of fieldwork, office‑based analysis, and collaboration with internal and external partners.

Fisheries Assessments:

• Plans and delivers fish population inventory and monitoring programs using standard fisheries management techniques (e.g., index netting, creel surveys).
• Analyzes and interprets biological data to assess population status, trends, and sustainability in relation to provincial frameworks and management plans.

Habitat and Land‑Use Integration:

• Provides input into land‑use and development reviews to support the sustainability of fish populations.
• Works with other specialists, regulators, and partner agencies on fisheries matters.
• Support the review and authorization of Research Licenses ensuring applications and proposed methods align with relevant legislation, regulations, policy, and guidelines.

Program Planning, Research, and Reporting:

• Supports the design and delivery of regional work planning, fisheries research, recovery planning, and adaptive management projects.
• Prepares technical reports, summaries, and briefing materials for internal review and decision‑making.

Collaboration and Engagement:

• Works with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and partner organizations on fisheries assessment initiatives.
• Participates in inter‑departmental and external committees, working groups, and planning processes when required.
• Responds to requests for fisheries information from internal and external audiences.

Operations and Administration:

• Supports budgeting, equipment management, data management, and occupational health and safety requirements.
• May provide functional guidance or supervision to junior staff, technicians, or temporary employees.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Agility: Adjusts priorities and approaches in response to changing field conditions, emerging information, and program needs, while supporting timely delivery of fisheries management activities.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Works effectively with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, partner organizations, and internal teams to support fisheries assessment initiatives and integrated resource management processes.
• Creative Problem Solving: Applies analytical thinking and practical solutions to complex fisheries management issues, including data gaps, competing interests, and emerging challenges that require adaptive approaches.
• Systems Thinking: Understands how fisheries data, population assessments, and habitat information contribute to broader regional and provincial management objectives, and considers ecological, social, and economic factors when developing recommendations.

Qualifications

Required:

• A completed university degree in a related field such as Biology, Fisheries Management, Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Conservation Science, or another closely related discipline; and
• A minimum of four (4) years of directly related experience in fisheries management, aquatic resource science, environmental monitoring, or natural resource management.

Equivalency: Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one‑for‑one basis.

Assets and Preferences:

• Experience with fisheries assessment methods and data analysis.
• Knowledge of fisheries management programs, regulations, or management frameworks in Alberta or another jurisdiction.
• Experience working in remote field environments.
• Experience collaborating with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, regulators, or multi‑stakeholder groups.
• Training or experience operating boats, off‑highway vehicles, electrofishing equipment, or other fisheries field sampling tools.
• Experience in computer use, including MS Office (word processing and spreadsheets), with a solid understanding of data analysis, modeling, statistical tools, GIS, and database management software.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a full-time, permanent position based in Cold Lake, Alberta. The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., totaling 36.25 hours per week.

This position involves regular travel to field locations across the North East Region, estimated at approximately up to 25% of work time, primarily during field seasons. A valid Class 5 Driver’s License is a condition of employment.

Instructions for your Resume:

For Employment Experience:

• Please indicate duration of employment (month, year).
• Please specify employment status (i.e., casual, part-time, or full-time).
• Ex: Issues Coordinator, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three, 8-hour shifts/week).
  
  

For any Post-Secondary Education:

• Please specify your major and length of program.
• Please specify the year you graduated.
• Ex: Bachelor of Social Science, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.