Fisheries and Aquaculture Biologist

Role Responsibilities

We are seeking a Fisheries and Aquaculture Biologist who will be responsible for the development and delivery of the aquaculture program including the management of stocked cultured fish within Alberta and fisheries management related program activities designed to ensure the sustainability of the fish populations and fisheries. 

Reporting to the Provincial Fish Culture Specialist in the Hunting and Fishing Branch, Ministry of Forestry and Parks, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Biologist is a professional level fisheries management biologist operating with a high degree of independence, with provincial-level responsibility focused on the use of cultured fish but also extended to recreation, Indigenous and commercial uses, from lotic to lentic to stocked fisheries and the fish species that inhabit those waters.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

•    Licensing and inspections of recreational, commercial, facilities and aquatic animal import licenses.
•    Participating on provincial level teams for aquaculture related initiatives and functioning as a member of an integrated team of fisheries professionals at a provincial level.
•    Developing and implementing provincial production plans by planning and coordinating the stocking requirements and the production of fish for stocking into public waters, in association with Environment and Protected Areas as well as Fish Culture.
•    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, providing data analysis, interpretation, and reporting, under the supervision of senior staff.
•    Representing the program and province in interactions with professional staff from other provincial and federal levels of government on trans-boundary fisheries management issues and resource management initiatives. 
•    Supervising technical or administrative staff as needed including identification of work priorities, and developing and monitoring of Performance Agreements/work plans.

Please click on this link to view the job description.

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.

Build Collaborative Environments: Involves a diversity of specialties for input to help develop innovative products and ask questions that may expose issues as well as lead to innovation.

Creative Problem-Solving: Thinks outside of the box/is innovative. Understands the difference between certainty and uncertainty, utilizes existing and sought knowledge to help develop current system or solve issues.

Develop Self and Others: Challenges current thinking/system and supports innovative ideas/direction/products.

Systems Thinking: Appreciates and understands the concept of sustainability and/or socio-economic models including how they relates to the management of resources. Understands current issues/challenges and develops the path to desired outcomes.

Drive for Results: Sees the bigger picture/challenges/hurdles and proactively addresses issues/challenges while remaining principled.

Qualifications

Required: 
•    A completed University degree in environmental science, or 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).

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

Assets:
•    Experience with Alberta Fisheries Management program, and the Alberta aquaculture program, and/or Alberta Fish Culture including program goals, standards, guidelines, and policies.
•    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 in regulatory processes and/or regulatory assurance in the field of fisheries and aquaculture. 
•    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.

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

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 one 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).

What the GoA has to offer:

•    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.
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreements.
•    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/.