Senior Fisheries Biologist

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries populations and fisheries habitats in Alberta? Do you thrive in leadership roles, enjoy strategic planning, and have the expertise to engage with diverse stakeholders? The Government of Alberta invites you to join our team as a Senior Fisheries Biologist.

Reporting to the Northeast Regional Fisheries Manager, you will function with a high degree of independence and participate as a key member of an integrated team of professional and technical employees to reach several important outcomes:
•    Stewardship of fish populations and habitats.
•    Fish population monitoring and assessment.
•    Engaged stakeholders, First Nations, and Metis Communities.
•    Team leadership, Occupational Health and Safety, work planning and communication.

To achieve these outcomes, you will: 
•    Design and implement fish population assessment and monitoring programs and contribute to the development of fish management objectives.
•    Collaborate with other professional employees to complete multi-year regional and provincial fisheries monitoring plans and to develop scientifically rigorous approaches to characterize fish population status and to predict outcomes of fisheries management actions and land use activities on fish populations.
•    Lead and support the development and delivery of provincial and regional communication and engagement strategies related to species conservation and recovery to promote positive fisheries stewardship values with angling stakeholders, industry, local and regional governments, First Nations, and Metis communities.
•    Provide expert advice to ensure fisheries stewardship objectives are considered in regulatory processes under provincial and federal legislation and provincial regulations and policies.
•    Review license applications (e.g., Fish Research Licenses) for conditional authorization that align with statutory decision-making responsibilities and relevant legislation, regulations, policy, guidelines, and objectives.
•    Lead the recruitment, onboarding, supervision, training, and professional development of a team of fisheries biologists, technicians, and seasonal employees.
•    Lead and support all elements of the Branch Occupational Health and Safety program including hazard assessment, inspections; incident reporting, training (needs, courses, tracking); ensure effective communication with managers on program status and challenges.
•    Participate in a dynamic team setting with other professional employees throughout the Northeast Region offering a variety of experience and development opportunities.

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.

Drive for Results: By understanding the outcomes for fisheries management that are most important, you will use or recommend resources needed to achieve the desired results in an organized and timely manner while remaining accountable to your team.

Develop Networks: With consideration of stakeholders, collaborators, other Alberta Government departments and branches, appropriate levels of municipal and federal governments, Indigenous communities, and industrial proponents, identify risks and develop solutions that will maintain sustainable fish populations and their habitats.

Systems Thinking: abilities to identify priority fish management and recovery issues or opportunities including cumulative effects, plan for and implement single and multi-year projects, and shaping provincial policy and program priorities.

Creative Problem Solving: Abilities to develop and implement species and population inventory and monitoring programs that will position fisheries management to make and provide informed decisions or recommendations that will directly affect the long-term sustainability of fish.

Qualifications

Requirements:
•    University degree in conservation biology, ecology, zoology, fisheries or wildlife management, natural resource management, or a related field.
•    6 years of experience in fisheries management.
•    Valid Class 5 driver’s license or equivalent.

Equivalency:
•    A related two-year diploma plus 8 years related experience.
•    Additional related education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis.

Assets:
•    Supervisory experience.
•    Proficient 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.
•    Experienced in writing and presenting technical reports related to natural resource issues.
•    knowledge of relevant provincial and federal legislation (e.g., Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Fisheries Alberta Act, Federal Fisheries Act, Alberta Public Lands Act, Water Act, Land Stewardship Act, Alberta OH&S Act and regulations). 
•    Skilled in operating off-highway vehicles, boats, fisheries equipment, and firearms for fisheries management and sampling. 

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 full-time, permanent position is based Fort McMurray, Alberta.

The work schedule is Monday to Friday, from 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, totaling 36.25 hours per week. The ability to work overtime on occasion will also be necessary.  While most of the work is centered from Fort McMurray, this position will require you to travel to field locations within the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch Region, and times, the province.

Working and Living in Fort McMurray: 
Attraction Bonus: The attraction bonus is a one-time payment equivalent to 25% of the employee's base pay at the start of employment, subject to lawful deductions. This bonus is disbursed quarterly over the first year of employment.
Fort McMurray Allowance: Eligible employees will receive an additional $478.17 per bi-weekly pay period, in addition to their regular earnings, as part of the Fort McMurray Allowance.

Please submit your cover letter and updated resume, including clear and concise specific examples that demonstrate how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements and competencies.

Resume Guidelines:
Employment Experience:
•    Indicate the duration of employment (month, year).
•    Specify the employment status (e.g., casual, part-time, or full-time).
•    Example: Youth Worker, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three 8-hour shifts/week).

Post-Secondary Education:
•    Specify your major and the length of the program.
•    Indicate the year of graduation.
•    Example: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017).

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

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 has to offer to prospective employees.
•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    Northern Alberta Employee Programs - https://myaps.alberta.ca/Pages/My-HR/Compensation-Pay/Northern-Alberta-employee-programs.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.
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.