2027 and 2028 Fisheries Data Specialist (Field)
International Pacific Halibut Commission
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Description
2027 and 2028 IPHC Fisheries Data Specialist (Field) - 4 Opportunities
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is seeking to hire Fisheries Data Specialists (Field) (4 openings) for deployment in ports coastwide (in Canada and the USA). This announcement serves as the notice of these opportunities.
The IPHC is a public international organization and as such will consider applicants regardless of nationality or location. Non-US Citizens will be required to obtain a G-4 VISA for work in the USA. Non-Canadian citizens will be required to obtain a Canadian Work Permit for work in Canada. The IPHC Secretariat will assist in VISA acquisition.
OVERVIEW:
Under the direction of the Port Operations Coordinator who reports to the Executive Director, the Fisheries Data Specialist (Field) (FDS(F)) positions are responsible for the International Pacific Halibut Commission’s (IPHC) port operations in a designated port. The FDS(F) will act as the lead on all duties in their assigned location including, but not limited to, collecting logbooks, fish tags, and biological specimens, and representing the IPHC Secretariat in the field. Pacific halibut landings can be highly variable in time and space; therefore, this position requires being on call for extended hours, including Saturdays. Ideal candidates have strong interpersonal and organizational skills including the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a rapidly changing work environment, and the ability to collaborate and cooperate with members of the Secretariat, as well as outside contacts and stakeholders.
Employment date: Port specific start dates are subject to change due to the length of the fishing period and fleet behaviour. Note: Beginning with this contract cycle, specific ports may be hired for multiple years on one contract at the discretion of the hiring panel and therefore multiple dates are listed below. Employees will be offboarded between fishing periods. Employment begins with a mandatory 3-day training session held at the IPHC Headquarters in Seattle, WA, USA, starting on the port-specific dates listed below. Depending on the start date of the fishing period each year, there may be a gap in pay between the end of training and the start of the fishing period.
- Canada: Prince Rupert, BC (24 February 2027/28)
- USA: Petersburg and Seward, Alaska (24 February 2027/28), and St. Paul, Alaska (14 June 2027/28)
- Canada: Prince Rupert, BC (24 November 2027/28)
- USA: Petersburg and Seward, Alaska (24 November 2027/28) and St. Paul, Alaska (30 August 2027/28)
Primary Duties
- Prioritize office and field-based tasks and meet deadlines in a rapidly changing work environment;
- Follow random sampling procedures to collect biological samples from Pacific halibut, including fork length, weights, tissue samples and otoliths for stock assessment and other purposes;
- Collect and edit fishing records from vessel logbooks and landing records for Pacific halibut;
- Collect Pacific halibut tags and tag-associated information;
- Enter all biological and logbook data into applicable software and provide input to improve or update software as needed;
- Package and ship logbooks and biological samples to the IPHC Headquarters in Seattle, WA, USA, as directed, to meet deadlines;
- Write reports on sampling technique which are reviewed to ensure proper sampling procedures are being applied in the field;
- Serve as the representative of the IPHC Secretariat in port and relay information between stakeholders and the IPHC Secretariat while adhering to confidentiality policies and procedures.
- Contribute to the IPHC’s social media presence by drafting posts and providing photos on relevant information about their port while adhering to the IPHC’s confidentiality policies and procedures, and norms of professionalism;
- Train other Fisheries Data Specialists (Field) on a topic(s) during pre-season training and as needed;
- Submit administrative requirements (e.g. timecards, mileage reports, leave, gear and expense requests, etc.) on time using Secretariat utilized software applications;
- Provide logistical support for the IPHC’s Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) and other research activities, when needed;
- Process and enter data assigned (e.g. historical records, logbook data, etc.);
- Comply fully with all IPHC policies, including but not limited to the Business Ethics and Conduct, and to declare any actual or potential perceived conflicts of interest;
- Secretariat staff are prohibited from holding or being the beneficiary for any interest in the Pacific halibut industry;
- Carry out other duties as assigned as part of a small and flexible organization.
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, fisheries or related field or equivalent work experience in this same field;
- Proven ability to effectively collect fisheries data and biological structures, while following random and representative sample collection protocols;
- Proven ability to work cooperatively and professionally with people with diverse backgrounds, responsibilities, and positions and who have varying degrees of understanding of fisheries data collection methods and the impact of fisheries data on fisheries management;
- The ability to work independently and the organizational skills to balance a shifting workload in a deadline driven work environment.
- Experience collecting, editing, and entering data in the field;
- Experience with fisheries monitoring, or other wildlife monitoring, especially Pacific halibut, is welcome;
- Experience working with Microsoft Office 365 (i.e. Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, PowerApps).
Salary: This position is rated as an IPHC-GS-8. FDS(F) work an on-call schedule from 6 am to 6 pm local time Monday through Saturday, not to exceed 40 hours per week. Working hours in St. Paul vary outside of 6am-6pm but shall not exceed 40 hours a week. The salary rates shown below are the 2026 rates; these may change early 2027 and 2028.
- New FDS(F) will be paid at an IPHC-GS-8.1 rate (US$5,378.05 per month);
- Returning FDS(F) will be paid at an IPHC-GS-8.2 rate (US$5,557.31 per month);
- FDS(F) in the Port of St. Paul will be paid at an IPHC-GS-8.4 rate (US$5,915.84 per month);
- FDS(F) who are currently paid at an IPHC-GS-8.4 rate or who have successfully completed at least one full contract in the Port of Dutch Harbor or the Port of St. Paul will be paid at an IPHC-GS-8.4 rate (US$5,915.84 per month).
- 100% employer paid medical and dental insurance option.
- 100% employer paid life insurance, AD&D, Group Specified Disease, Group Accident, and long-term disability. Employees must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) and be located in the USA to participate.
- Employer funded health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Employees must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) and be located in the USA to participate.
- 403(b) savings program with a 7% base salary contribution by the employer and up to 5% matching in addition to the 7% commencing on the first day of employment. Employees must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) and be located in the USA to participate.
- Annual Leave (4.67 hours accrued every pay period).
- Sick Leave (4.33 hours accrued every pay period).
APPLICATION:
Deadline: 09 August 2026. An initial review of applications will occur on 10 August 2026 with the intent of determining if sufficient caliber candidates are available to fill the 4 positions. The position will remain open to source a list of reserve candidates.
Applications must be submitted through the IPHC website at https://www.iphc.int/the-commission/opportunities. For your application to be considered eligible, you must submit: 1) a response to the major duties and responsibilities (1 page maximum); 2) a curriculum vitae; and 3) Transcript(s) for any post-secondary degree(s) earned (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
A satisfactory background check is a condition of employment.
You must hold a valid passport that does not expire before 01 January 2028.
For more information about this position, please email [email protected] and cite Position Reference Number 2026-003.
Skills
Excel
