Fisheries Biologist

Role Responsibilities

We are seeking a Fisheries Biologist who will be responsible for assisting in the development and delivery of the Forestry and Parks fisheries allocation and use program. This includes fisheries management related program and activities designed to ensure the sustainable allocation of fish populations and fisheries.

Reporting to the Provincial Fisheries Resource Specialist in the Hunting and Fishing Branch, Ministry of Forestry and Parks, the Fisheries Biologist is a professional level fisheries management biologist operating with a high degree of independence, with provincial-level responsibility focused on the sustainable allocation of fish to recreation, Indigenous and commercial uses, from lotic to lentic fisheries.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Assisting in developing and planning fisheries management related projects that include policy development and implementation, planning and participating on teams responsible for single and multi-year projects, participating in research activities, collecting data, conducting data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
• Represents fisheries program interests when interacting with other agencies, government departments, resource industries, NGOs, local governments, stakeholders and the public concerning resource management activities and issues.
• Function as a key member of an integrated team of professional and technical staff responsible for the management of fisheries resources in Alberta.  The incumbent may represent Fisheries Management in various planning initiatives at the landscape and species management level as well as participating in interagency and multi-stakeholder resource management as well as department initiatives.
• Reviews and identifies conditions for the issuance of licences such as competitive fishing event licences, bait fish licences etc.
• Supervising technical or administrative staff as needed including identification of work priorities and developing as well as monitoring of performance agreements/work plans.

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.

How Competencies will apply to this role:

• Build Collaborative Environments: Involve a diversity of specialties for their input to help develop innovative products and ask questions that may expose issues as well as lead to innovation.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Think outside the box. Understand the difference between certainty and uncertainty, utilize existing and sought knowledge to help develop current system or solve issues.
• Develop Self and Others: Challenge current thinking/system and support innovative ideas/direction/products.
• Systems Thinking: Appreciate and understand the concept of sustainability and/or socio-economic models regarding how they relate to the management of resources. Understand current issues/challenges and develop a path to the desired state.
• Drive for Results: See the bigger picture/challenges/hurdles and proactively address issues/challenges while remaining principled to achieve outcomes.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• A completed University degree (4 years) in environmental science/natural resource management, Conservation Management, Biology, Fisheries Management, Aquatics Ecology or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years of directly related field experience in fisheries management.
• A valid Class 5 Driver’s License or equivalent.

Equivalences may be considered: Related 2-year diploma plus 6 years of related experience. Additional related education considered in lieu of experience based on one year of experience for one year of education.

Assets:

• Experience with Alberta’s Fisheries Management program.
• A graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in environmental science/natural resource management, Conservation Management, Biology, Fisheries Management, Aquatics Ecology or a related field.
• Experience managing large datasets including the management of data, data analysis and reporting. Experience with mapping software as it relates to data management and interpretation.
• Experience with fisheries and aquatic ecological principles, data analysis and interpretation, project management, and the development of fisheries management plans.
• Experience collaborating with multi-jurisdictional stakeholder groups including other levels of government.
• Knowledge of relevant provincial and federal acts, regulations, policies, and procedures. Specifically, Alberta Fishery Regulations, Federal Fisheries Act, Fisheries Ministerial Regulation, General Fisheries Alberta Regulation, Fisheries Alberta Act, Federal Fisheries Act, and Federal Species at Risk Act.
• Experience with operating off-highway vehicles (4X4, ATV, snowmobile), motorized boats (jet and propeller), use of firearms, specialized fisheries equipment including radio/acoustic telemetry, gill nets, trap nets, electro-fishing (backpack and boat), limnological and water sampling, and other fisheries management sampling equipment.

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 competition is for 1 full-time permanent position located in Edmonton. Other locations within Alberta may be considered.
• Monday – Friday, 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week.

Any costs associated with obtaining 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.

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).
Example: Administrator, 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.
Example: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017).

Links and information on what the GoA has 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/alberta-public-service-human-resource-directives.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.

Resources for Applicants:

• https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-jobs-with-the-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx.
• https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/.