Fisheries Biologist

Overview

The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.

The Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas is dedicated to safeguarding Alberta's natural resources and ecosystems while balancing environmental and economic priorities. Through wildlife conservation, protected area management, environmental policy development, research, and public education, the Ministry is committed to sustainability and the responsible stewardship of Alberta's landscapes and resources for future generations. Within the Ministry, the Resource Stewardship Division plays a key role in managing Alberta's land, water, and biodiversity through science-based planning, policy development, regulatory oversight, conservation initiatives, and support for responsible resource development.

The Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch provides leadership in species and population assessment, habitat policy and stewardship, species at risk conservation, fish and wildlife disease management, aquatic invasive species programming, and land-use planning support. The Branch also fosters strong partnerships to collect, share, and apply information that supports effective management and stewardship decisions across Alberta.

For more information about the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/environment-and-protected-areas.

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about supporting healthy fish populations and aquatic habitats? As a Fisheries Biologist, you will advance the management, conservation, and recovery of fish populations and habitats through scientific assessment, stewardship initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based decision making. Reporting to the Senior Fisheries Biologist, you will play a key role in informing fisheries management, conservation and recovery actions, and land-use decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide fisheries expertise for major flood and drought mitigation projects and lead collaborations on offsetting initiatives such as habitat restoration, non-native species management, and recovery stocking.
• Support the development of land use plans and other regulatory processes by providing subject matter expertise on fish populations and habitats.
• Plan and deliver fish population monitoring and assessment programs to support fisheries management decisions.
• Support native trout and other threatened fish species recovery initiatives, including species status assessments, recovery planning, and project implementation.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of fisheries monitoring approaches, protocols, and data systems.
• Review licence applications, reporting submissions, and related documentation to support stewardship and regulatory objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, First Nations, Métis communities, partners, and collaborators to promote positive fisheries stewardship.
• Contribute to occupational health and safety, work planning, budgeting, reporting, procurement, contract management, and administrative activities.

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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.

Role-Specific APS Competencies

• Systems Thinking: Takes a long-term and holistic view of fisheries management challenges and opportunities. Considers environmental, social, and economic impacts when assessing fish populations, habitat conditions, stewardship actions, and land-use decisions. Seeks diverse perspectives and supports sustainable outcomes through informed decision-making.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Builds and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders, First Nations and Métis communities, regulators, researchers, industry representatives, and program partners. Encourages open communication, collaboration, and shared accountability to achieve stewardship and conservation objectives.
• Creative Problem Solving: Applies scientific expertise, critical thinking, and sound judgment to address complex fisheries management issues. Identifies practical solutions to challenges related to fish populations, habitat conservation, species recovery, invasive species management, and competing interests.

Qualifications

Required

• Education: A bachelor's degree in a related discipline such as Fisheries Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 4 years of experience in fisheries management, fish population and habitat assessment, fisheries conservation and stewardship, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and technical report writing.
• Other: A valid Class 5 Driver's Licence (or equivalent).
• Equivalency: A related two-year diploma and 6 years of related experience will be considered. Additional related education may be considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis.

Assets

• Experience assessing fish populations using a range of sampling and monitoring techniques, including index netting and electrofishing.
• Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of provincial and federal legislation, regulations, and policies related to fisheries management and fish habitat conservation.
• Experience assessing the effects of infrastructure, water management, agriculture, energy development, timber harvest and other land-use activities on fish and fish habitat.
• Experience preparing technical reports, managing and analyzing data, and communicating scientific information to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of the ecology and management of native trout and other cold-water fish species in Alberta.

CRITICAL NOTE

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This full-time, permanent position is based in Cochrane, Alberta; however, other suitable locations within Southern Alberta may be considered. The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM (36.25 hours per week).

The role involves a combination of office and field work and may require travel to support fisheries monitoring, habitat assessments, stewardship activities, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery. Field work may involve operating boats, rafts, trucks, ATVs, trailers, and specialized fisheries equipment in a variety of environmental conditions.

Resume Instructions

Please submit a cover letter and an updated resume that clearly demonstrate how your education and experience align with the responsibilities of the Fisheries Biologist position.

In your resume, clearly indicate the start and end dates (month and year) for each position held, along with your employment status (e.g., casual, part-time, or full-time). Where applicable, include the number of hours worked per week.

Example: Fisheries Technician, May 2018 to September 2022, Full-time (40 hours per week).

For post-secondary education, include the credential obtained, area of study, length of the program, and year of graduation.

Example: Bachelor of Science in Biology, 4-year program, Graduated 2020.

Your cover letter and resume should clearly demonstrate how your education and experience relate to the responsibilities of the role, including fish population assessment and monitoring, fish habitat assessment, fisheries stewardship and conservation initiatives, stakeholder engagement, data management and analysis, technical reporting, and the application of scientific information to support resource management and land-use decisions.

Candidates may be required to complete a written assessment as part of the selection process to further evaluate their knowledge of fisheries management, fish population and habitat assessment, technical report writing, and communication skills.

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 We Have to Offer

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP).
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

How to Apply

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please see Job Application Resources for information.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.

It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Jane McEwen at Jane.Mcewen@gov.ab.ca.