Alaska USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Opportunities 2015
Listed below are several employment opportunities with Wildlife Services in Alaska for 2015. We will continue to
accept applications until positions are filled. If you are interested in any of these offerings, please provide us with
contact information, availability, and a resume’. We will e-mail applications to those respondents who are interested
and available. We can be reached at the following:
USDA, APHIS, WS
9001 E Frontage Rd, Suite A
Palmer, AK 99645
907-745-0871
907-746-0873 Fax
Assistant District Supervisor: Marc Pratt
Marc.W.Pratt@aphis.usda.gov
Invasive Species Eradication/Predator Suppression
Prince William Sound Mink Trapping
Location: Naked Island Group, AK
Work environment: Remote
Timeframe: Late February through late April
Appointment: Full time seasonal
Grade: AD-404-4, plus 7.18% COLA*
Hours expected: 80 hours per pay period, plus 16 hours of overtime per pay period
Benefits: Lodging and food are provided. Per Diem (meals and incidentals) while in travel status.
Positions: 1
Mink control in the Prince William Sound is being initiated to protect the Naked Island Group-breeding population of
pigeon guillemot and other nesting sea birds. Methods used in control activities include trapping and opportunistic
shooting. Specialists must be skilled in the use of different types of body-grip and foothold traps, as well as winter
trapping techniques. It is critical that Specialists be versed in trapping techniques to reduce the likelihood of non-target
take. Specialists must be able to hike long distances with a pack full of gear, and operate small water craft. The
weather in Prince William Sound can be difficult at times with heavy snow, fierce winds, and low visibility. Food and
lodging is provided to the Specialist on site. Specialists will be provided transportation from Anchorage to Prince
William Sound. Mink trapping experience required.
Aleutian Island Fox
Location: Chirikof Island
Work Environment: Remote
Timeframe: Mid-March to Mid-May
Appointment: Full time seasonal
Grade: AD-404-4, plus 7.18% COLA*
Hours expected: 80 hours per pay period, plus 16 hours overtime per pay period
Benefits: Lodging, meals, incidental expenses
Positions: 3
Chirikof is a currently uninhabited island located 80 miles Southwest of Kodiak Island. Starting in the late 1800's the
Alaska Commercial Company began using Chirikof as farm for blue phase Arctic fox. Shortly thereafter, cattle were
brought on to the island as a source of food for the employees. Later, more cattle were brought to Chirikof as a
foundation for a beef industry that existed in some part until the early 1980’s when ownership of the island was turned
over to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Alaska’s tremendous island-nesting seabird populations were
viewed as a cost-free source of fox food. Historic populations of many burrow-nesting seabirds were seriously
depleted or eliminated on islands where the foxes were introduced. The physical demands required of the Aleutian
projects are significant. Specialists can expect to operate a small, inflatable skiff in inclement weather to navigate the
island’s shoreline (several miles), and hike 10 miles each day on soft tundra with a 30 lb. pack. Eradication methods
will include trapping and opportunistic shooting. There will be 2 camps of 2 Specialists per camp. Lodging will be
cabins and/or tents. Food will be provided for the duration of the project.
Revised11/18/14 Barrow Fox Trapping
Location: Barrow, AK
Work environment: Rural/Remote
Timeframe: Late-May through Mid-July
Appointment: Full time seasonal
Grade: AD-404-4, plus 7.18% COLA*
Hours expected: 80 hours per pay period, plus 16 hours of overtime per pay period
Benefits: Lodging and food are provided. Per Diem (meals and incidentals) while in travel status.
Positions: 1
Arctic fox control in Barrow was initiated in 2005 to protect the threatened Alaska-breeding population of Steller’s
eider and other indigenous nesting birds. In cooperation with the USFWS, fox removal activities have been conducted
by WS personnel every year since. Late-spring/early-summer is the nesting season for the Steller’s eider, and is when
they are highly susceptible to predation. Methods used in control activities include trapping and opportunistic shooting.
Specialists must be skilled in the use of different types of foothold and body grip traps, as well as winter trapping
techniques. It is critical that Specialists be versed in trapping techniques to reduce the likelihood of non-target take.
Specialists must be able to hike long distances with a pack full of gear, and operate an ATV. It is likely that Specialists
will be asked to present the project to the community, and/or conduct trapping and necropsy demonstrations at the local
school. Food is provided to the Specialist upon the start of the project, and re-supply shipments are made as necessary.
Specialists will be provided transportation from Anchorage to Barrow, and housing while in Barrow.
Airport Direct Control Wildlife Hazard Management
Anchorage International Airport
Location: Anchorage, AK
Work environment: Urban
Timeframe: Late-March through October
Appointment: Full time seasonal
Grade: AD-404-4, plus 5.57% COLA*
Hours expected: 80 hours per pay period, plus necessary comp time
Benefits: Federal Employee Health Benefit, Sick and Annual Leave
Positions: 2
Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is Alaska’s largest and busiest airport. Wildlife Services provides ANC and
neighboring Lake Hood Seaplane Base with a 24/7 wildlife hazard management program designed to reduce wildlife
hazards to aircraft. ANC offers a unique aspect to airport wildlife damage, where Specialists deal with a diverse
population of wildlife from moose and bears to gulls and waterfowl. A team of four Specialists operate independently
on twelve hour shifts, typically working three days one week and four the next. Specialists are required to patrol the
airport grounds, operate around aircraft, and communicate with the Air Traffic Control Tower via radio. Specialists are
responsible for housing and transportation to and from the project.
Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson
Location: Anchorage, AK
Work environment: Urban
Timeframe: Late-March through October
Appointment: Full time seasonal
Grade: AD-404-4, plus 5.57% COLA*
Hours expected: 80 hours per pay period, plus necessary comp time
Benefits: Federal Employee Health Benefit, Sick and Annual Leave
Positions: 1
Wildlife Services provides Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) with a 24/7 wildlife hazard management program
designed to reduce wildlife hazards to aircraft. JBER offers a unique aspect to airport wildlife damage, where
Specialists deal with a diverse population of wildlife from moose and bears to gulls and waterfowl. Specialists operate
independently on twelve hour shifts, typically working three days one week and four the next. Specialists are required
to patrol the property, operate around aircraft, and communicate with the Control Tower via radio. Specialists are
responsible for housing and transportation to and from the project.
Revised11/18/14 Eielson Air Force Base
Location: Eielson AFB, AK
Work environment: Urban
Timeframe: Late March through September
Appointment: Full time seasonal
Grade: AD-404-4, plus 5.57% COLA*
Hours expected: 80 hours per pay period, plus necessary comp time
Benefits: Federal Employee Health Benefit, Sick and Annual Leave
Positions: 4
Eielson Air Force Base, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Fairbanks, is the main base supporting the State’s
Red Flag operations. Red Flag is a series of war game exercises conducted at Eielson AFB for a variety of military
aircraft from various states and countries. Wildlife Services provides a Wildlife Hazard Management Program
designed reduce wildlife hazards to aircraft. Eielson AFB offers a unique experience in managing a variety of wildlife
species hazardous to aircraft. Wildlife species may consist of moose, lynx, fox, woodchucks, ravens, waterfowl, gulls,
and raptors. A team of 4 Specialists and 1 Biologist operate independently on twelve and eight hour shifts. Specialists
are required to patrol the property, operate around aircraft, and communicate with the Control Tower via radio.
Specialists are responsible for securing their own housing and transportation to and from the project.
Deadhorse Airport
Location: Prudhoe Bay, AK (North Slope)
Work Environment: Rural
Timeframe: Late May through mid-July
Appointment: Full time seasonal
Grade: AD-404-4, plus 7.18% COLA*
Hours expected: 80 hours per pay period, plus 32 hours overtime per pay period
Benefits: Lodging and food are provided, per Diem (incidental expense).
Positions: 2 – 1 month rotations
The Deadhorse Airport is located at Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope of Alaska. WS provides the airport with a
wildlife hazard management program 7 days a week, which is structured to cover scheduled arriving and departing
aircraft. A typical 8 hour day may start at 0600 and end at 1800, with down time mid-day. A government-owned
travel trailer is on site for the Specialist’s use and lodging. The DOT facility is available for Specialist to cook meals
and use the facilities. Food is provided to the Specialist upon the start of the project, and re-supply shipments are made
as necessary. A vehicle is provided for use on the airport. Transportation will be provided to and from Deadhorse via
Anchorage. Species encountered include migrating caribou, and nesting waterfowl and shorebirds. The Deadhorse
Airport project is typically worked in one month rotations, but can be extended if the Specialist expresses interest.
St. George Airport
Location: St. George Island, AK
Work Environment: Remote
Timeframe: Mid-May through mid-September
Appointment: Full time seasonal
Grade: AD-404-4, plus 7.18% COLA*
Hours expected: 80 hours per pay period
Benefits: Lodging is provided. Per Diem (meals and incidentals) while in travel status.
Positions: 3 – 1 month rotations
St. George Island is one of the two Pribilof Islands is the Bearing Sea southwest of Anchorage. The village community
is comprised of approximately 100 people. The island is home to approximately 2.5 million nesting seabirds, making it
the one of the largest bird colonies in Alaska. It is also the home of 80% (190,000) of the world’s population of redlegged kittiwakes. Kittiwakes nest in the bluffs and cliffs on one side of the airport and are often seen crossing over the
runway to access their feeding grounds. A fresh water pond that is opposite the airfield from the feeding grounds also
provides an attractant. This behavior makes the kittiwake a significant hazard for aircraft utilizing the St. George
airport. Air carriers have scheduled flights every other day, weather permitting. The St. George project is typically
worked in one month rotations, but can be extended if the Specialist expresses interest. Specialists will be provided
housing, and transportation from Anchorage. Lodging is a house in the village. Meals are the responsibility of the
Specialist as Per Diem is provided.
Revised11/18/14 Anchorage Urban Projects
Location: Anchorage, AK
Work environment: Urban
Timeframe: Late March through September
Appointment: Full time seasonal
Grade: AD-404-4, plus 5.57% COLA*
Hours expected: 80 hours per pay period, plus necessary comp time
Benefits: Federal Employee Health Benefit, Sick and Annual Leave
Positions: 2
Wildlife Services receives requests for assistance in resolving human-wildlife conflicts in the Anchorage area each
summer. The majority of this work includes removing gull nests and eggs from businesses in Anchorage. Specialists
must be able to safely climb ladders to access rooftops, and work in inclement weather. This is a highly visible project;
interaction with cooperators, the public, and other agency representatives can be expected. Specialists may be used to
cover shifts at the local landfill and airport projects throughout the season. Data collection and reporting is critical; the
ability to use a computer and reconcile data between multiple databases is required. Specialists are responsible for
housing and transportation to and from the project.
* The AD Salary schedule mimics the GS Locality Pay Tables for Alaska which can be accessed at http://www.opm.gov/policydata-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2014/AK_h.pdf . Federal employees in Alaska receive an additional
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) benefit of 5.57% or 7.18% depending on project locale.
Revised11/18/14