Indian Preference in hiring is given to qualified enrolled members of Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) and Native Americans consistent with P.L. 93-638 and in accordance with KIC policy and other applicable federal laws.

Position Summary:

The Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) is seeking a Fisheries/Wildlife Biologist (“Biologist”) to support the sustainable management and conservation of key fish and wildlife resources important to the Tribe. The Biologist will support the Department Director and other staff with pertinent data collection and research to influence regulatory decisions. This position will focus on Eulachon (Sáak) monitoring, water quality assessments, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, and deer population assessments. The biologist will also lead efforts in subsistence harvest monitoring for deer, habitat mapping for game species, and support the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into resource management. The wildlife aspects of this job description will be the primary focus and duties of the biologist.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Fisheries & Aquatic Monitoring:

• Eulachon Monitoring: In collaboration with other department staff and in coordination with pertinent state and federal agencies, conduct surveys to assess Eulachon run timing, abundance, and habitat conditions in Southeast Alaska rivers.
• Water Quality Assessment: Monitor key water quality parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, turbidity) to evaluate habitat suitability for fisheries resources.
• eDNA Sampling & Analysis: Implement environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to detect fish and invasive species presence, track population trends, and assess biodiversity in aquatic systems.
• Marine Invasive Species Monitoring: support other department staff with field work that includes targeted surveys and trapping programs to detect and monitor European Green Crab and other invasive species affecting Southeast Alaska’s coastal ecosystems.

Wildlife Monitoring & Habitat Assessment:

• Deer Population Surveys: Conduct field surveys and data collection to assess Sitka black-tailed deer population trends, movement patterns, and health indicators.
• Subsistence Harvest Monitoring: Work with tribal members and agencies to track and evaluate subsistence deer harvest quotas, ensuring sustainable management for KIC members.
• Habitat Mapping: Utilize GIS and remote sensing technologies to map critical deer and game habitat, identifying key areas for conservation and land-use planning.
• Wildlife Research & TEK Integration: Collaborate with tribal members and knowledge holders to incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into deer and game management strategies.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Data Collection & Analysis: Collect, analyze, and interpret fisheries and wildlife habitat data to inform and influence resource management decisions.
• Restoration & Conservation Planning: Assist in developing and implementing conservation and habitat restoration strategies for key species, including salmon, Eulachon, deer, and shellfish.
• Collaboration & Outreach: Work with tribal leadership, community members, and external agencies on fisheries and wildlife management issues, invasive species response, and habitat protection.
• Report Writing & Grant Management: Prepare technical reports, grant proposals, and regulatory compliance documents to support funding and program sustainability.
• Fieldwork & Safety Compliance: Participate in fieldwork, including sampling, tagging, and data collection in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments, ensuring compliance with all tribal, state, and federal regulations.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal culture and lifestyle, working effectively with AI/AN populations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with sensitivity to the lifestyles of targeted participants.
• Skills in operating personal computers using a variety of software programs.
• Strong written and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with all applicable federal and tribal privacy laws and KIC policies (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.).
• Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.
• Proficiency in writing technical reports and grant applications.
• Experience in netting, handling, and transporting adult salmonids.
• Strong working knowledge of trailering, operating, and maintaining boats.
• Experience in deer population monitoring, game species management, and subsistence harvest assessments.
• Experience and knowledge of federal and state regulations and policies applicable to the management of Indian trust lands and natural resources is a plus (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency, Endangered Species Act, Alaska Forest Plan, National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, etc.).
• General knowledge of Tribal governments, the concepts of Tribal sovereignty and federal trust responsibility, and Tribal ordinances and policies affecting natural resources management is a plus.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Biology, Wildlife Biology, Marine Biology, Aquatic Ecology, or a related field.
• A minimum of three years’ combined experience conducting fisheries and/or wildlife fieldwork, data collection, and analysis; experience with eDNA sampling, laboratory analysis, and data interpretation; experience in deer population surveys, game management, and subsistence harvest monitoring.
• Knowledge of Eulachon ecology, life history, and habitat needs.
• Familiarity with water quality monitoring techniques and equipment.
• Ability to work in remote field conditions and operate boats or other field equipment.
• Proficiency in GIS, statistical analysis software, or wildlife and fisheries modeling tools.
• Proof of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• A minimum of three years’ combined experience working with Alaska Native communities or Indigenous resource management.
• Knowledge of Southeast Alaska fisheries, wildlife, and ecosystem dynamics.
• Grant writing and project management experience.
• Certifications in boat operation, first aid, or related field safety training.

KIC Competencies

Cultural Competency: To be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and cultural and linguistic needs of KIC Tribal Members. Developing cultural competence is an evolving, dynamic process that takes time and occurs along a continuum.

Commitment: To serve Tribal Members and set a high standard for yourself in your performance; strive for results and success; convey a sense of urgency and bring issues to closure; and stay persistent despite obstacles and opposition. 

Customer Service: Meet/exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identify, understand, and monitor the needs of both internal and external customers; always talk and act with customers in mind; and recognize working colleagues as customers.

Effective Communication: Ensure important information is passed to those who need to know; convey necessary information with respect, clearly and effectively orally or in writing

Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrate a high level of conscientiousness; hold oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and do the required fair share of work.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. 

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb, or balance. The ability to drive vehicles, with either standard or automatic transmissions, for several hours per day. The ability to walk several miles per day in-stream and/or uneven, hilly 3-22 terrain. Ability to work outdoors in all temperatures, in inclement weather, in and around water for extended periods of time. The ability to use both hands for frequent fingering and occasional simple grasping. The ability to frequently carry up to and including 25 pounds of weight for distances of up to 2 miles in various weather conditions and across various surfaces. The ability to rarely carry over 25 pounds of weight for distances up to 50 feet in various weather conditions and across various surfaces. The ability to occasionally lift up to and including 50 pounds of weight between the floor and the waist.

This weight will be constituted by the following items, but not limited to them: equipment, tools, nets, traps, etc. The ability to work around loud and constant noise continuously. The ability to tolerate required personal protective equipment such as safety boots, work gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, safety vests, hard hats and face shields. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. 

Conditions of Hire

• May be required to possess and maintain a valid driver's license or capable of obtaining one, as well as be insurable by KIC’s company insurance.
• KIC is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employees must adhere to KIC drug and alcohol policies and procedures to ensure a safe workplace. Employees must pass a pre-employment and subsequent random and/or for-cause drug and alcohol screening to be eligible for and maintain employment.
• KIC has several positions that must comply with the P.L. 101-630 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (ICPA); all employment offers in the "covered" classification are conditional until KIC has received a Federal criminal background check verifying eligibility to work in these programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This Job Description describes the essential duties and qualifications.  It is not an exhaustive statement of all the job duties, responsibilities, or qualifications; management has the exclusive right to alter or add to this job description at any time without notice.  Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties as assigned.