Company Overview
Work Where it Matters
Akima Systems Engineering (ASE), an Akima company, is not just another federal systems support contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.
At ASE, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.
For our shareholders, ASE provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.
For our government customers, ASE delivers solutions in maritime IT, systems engineering, and integration across the Department of Defense and stands ready to help improve operational performance at a reasonable and sustainable cost.
As an ASE employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.
Description
ASE is looking to hire a Biologist II to join the team supporting the USCG. The Biologist II will work as part of multidisciplinary teams addressing ecological conditions, contaminant pathways, and biological community response to metals and other stressors. Studies involve extensive field sampling, taxonomic identification, and integration of biological, chemical, and hydrologic data.
About the customer and work: The USGS conducts research on aquatic contaminants, watershed‑ecosystem processes, and biological integrity in western river basins, with emphasis on the Clark Fork and Kootenai River systems. Work supports national and regional resource managers, including federal, state, and Tribal partners.
The work environment: includes frequent outdoor scientific fieldwork (>50% during primary sampling seasons) in remote and sometimes harsh conditions, complemented by periods of office and laboratory analysis.
This Hybrid position requires that you live within commuting distance from Bozeman, MT.
Responsibilities
The Biologist II shall provide ecological field support, taxonomic identification, contaminant‑pathway sampling, and ecological data management in accordance with USGS protocols, Quality Management Systems, and safety plans.
In the performance of the assigned tasks, the Biologist II shall possess demonstrated experience conducting field sampling of aquatic biological communities, including the collection and taxonomic identification of freshwater macroinvertebrates. The Biologist II must be proficient in identifying these organisms to the appropriate taxonomic level and have experience working with contaminants in aquatic systems, particularly metals and metalloids. The role requires the ability to conduct ecological data analysis using platforms such as R, Python, or comparable analytical tools, as well as familiarity with USGS or similar federal and state biological monitoring protocols. The Biologist must also be physically capable of working in remote field environments, including wading in streams, carrying field equipment, and operating in adverse weather conditions.
Routine interaction with USGS scientists and collaborators will be necessary for field coordination, study planning, data interpretation, and integration of ecological results with chemical and hydrologic datasets. The following Tasks will be accomplished:
Field Ecology, Biological Sampling, and Assessment
- Lead field sampling of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities following standard USGS and state/federal protocols.
- Collect supporting habitat, substrate, and water‑quality data.
- Collect biological, chemical, and physical samples supporting contaminant‑pathway and trophic‑transfer analyses.
- Maintain sample integrity through proper chain of custody, preservation, and metadata documentation.
- Coordinate with project biologists on schedules, sampling locations, and safety plans.
Laboratory Processing and Taxonomic Identification
- Conduct sorting, preparation, and identification of biological samples.
- Prepare samples for metals/metalloid analyses under approved QA/QC procedures.
- Ensure laboratory activities meet USGS Quality Management Systems requirements.
Data Management, Analysis, and Visualization
- Conduct QA/QC on biological and chemical datasets.
- Integrate biological, chemical, and hydrologic data for use in ecological interpretation.
- Develop figures, tables, and ecological visualizations for reports and presentations.
- Prepare datasets for manuscripts, technical reports, and collaborative data products.
Qualifications
- BS in a Science related field.
- Must be a US Citizen able to pass a company background check.
- 2-4 years of experience in the field or a related area.
- Must be able to work extensively outdoors (>50%) in remote settings. This includes walking on uneven terrain, wading streams, and lifting moderate loads in variable weather conditions.
- Must be willing and able to conduct occasional overnight fieldwork.