Lucas Byker
Anchorage
Summary
Dynamic Habitat Biologist with extensive experience at the National Marine Fisheries Service, excelling in regulatory compliance and habitat assessment. Proven track record in project management and effective communication, successfully coordinating multi-million dollar restoration projects and presenting at key symposiums to advance fish habitat initiatives.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Habitat Biologist
National Marine Fisheries Service
Anchorage
08.2023 - Current
- Completed consultations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act for projects that may have had a negative effect on essential fish habitat.
- Participated in a working group to determine whether a species could be listed under the Endangered Species Act.
- Coordinated with agencies in advance to ensure that project permitting was completed as efficiently as possible.
- Conducted field surveys to map anadromous streams, and to monitor the effectiveness of stream simulation culverts.
- Worked collaboratively to publish a manuscript.
Habitat Restoration Biologist
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Anchorage
03.2022 - Current
- Company Overview: Habitat Restoration (This is a federal job)
- Coordinated with Tribal and local government entities to obtain funding for multiple fish passage and fish habitat restoration projects, totaling in the millions of dollars.
- Coordinated and presented at interagency meetings to develop fish passage and habitat restoration projects.
- Advised private landowners on designing and funding bioengineered bank stabilization projects which helped improve riparian fish habitat on multiple anadromous streams in the Mat-Su Valley.
- Presented at multiple symposiums on phytoremediation techniques tied to fish passage projects, in order to prevent further degradation of anadromous fish habitat.
- Twice annually presented at the Streambank Stabilization workshops hosted in the Mat-Su Valley and Kenai Peninsula.
- Worked to develop new fish passage projects in the Kodiak Archipelago through outreach efforts.
- Habitat Restoration (This is a federal job)
Regulatory Specialist
US Army Corps of Engineers
Anchorage
09.2020 - 03.2022
- Company Overview: Regulatory Division (This is a federal job)
- Initiated consultations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act for proposed development projects in SE Alaska.
- Assessed and made permitting decisions on marine projects which included port improvement, infrastructure, and mooring structures.
- Completed compliance inspections on permitted activities to ensure compliance with the Rivers and Harbors Protection Act and other regulations under USACE jurisdiction.
- Regulatory Division (This is a federal job)
River Center Manager
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Soldotna
09.2019 - 08.2020
- Conducted complex biological literature reviews and investigations to protect resources while simultaneously ensuring project compliance with Borough Habitat Protection regulations.
- Organized and facilitated Multi-Agency meetings with State, Federal and Local Entities to review and permit complex development projects.
- Provided the Planning Commission thorough reports on potential environmental impacts to aid in their decision to grant or deny Conditional Use Permits.
- Served as staff, technical advisor and biological advisor to a politically-appointed working group to revise and implement changes to the Borough's Habitat Protection regulations.
- Expanded a Habitat Protection Tax Credit Program to offer landowners the opportunity to reduce their property tax burden by improving anadromous fish habitat.
- Successfully prosecuted violations, from initial to contact with the violator to final resolution and mitigation of the offense.
Habitat Biologist 2
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Soldotna
11.2017 - 08.2019
- Reviewed the impacts of marine and coastal development activities for the Title 16 permitting process.
- Provided information, assistance and permits to individuals, property owners, and agencies for projects falling under AS 16.05.871 (Fish Habitat), AS 16.05.841 (Fish Passage) and 5 AAC 95 (Critical Habitat Areas).
- Conducted public meetings and educational programs to educate the public on habitat issues and regulations.
- Gained exposure to Federal environmental regulations (ESA, MMPA, NEPA process) through extensive collaboration with Federal resource agencies.
Habitat Biologist I
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Soldotna
06.2016 - 11.2017
- Collaborated with other State, Federal, local Government and Non-Profit natural resource agencies to minimize the potential effects of projects on habitat productivity.
- Coordinated site visits and permitting actions with other regulatory agencies within the Donald E. Gilman Kenai River Center.
- Surveyed and nominated streams and other water bodies to the Anadromous Waters Catalog (AWC).
Wildlife Technician
USDA- Wildlife Services
Palmer
05.2014 - 06.2016
- Company Overview: This is a federal job
- Collected and organized data concerning wildlife damage utilizing several software programs.
- Gained an introductory knowledge of ArcGIS tracking forage densities on airports.
- Took samples for disease analysis and scientific and museum collection.
- Worked in remote locations without an on-site supervisor, interfacing with other Federal and State agencies.
- This is a federal job
Observer
Saltwater, Inc.
Anchorage
12.2015 - 04.2016
- Gathered biological data on multiple crab species while living on board commercial fishing vessels in the Bering Sea.
- Successfully integrated with diverse fishing crews to achieve an above average sampling rate.
- Attained ADF&G Shellfish biologist certification ahead of schedule due to quality of data submitted.
- Used dichotomous keys to identify numerous marine fish species captured as by-catch in the Opilio and Bairdi crab fisheries.
Training Sergeant
4/25 Infantry Division
Anchorage
05.2013 - 05.2014
- Coordinated schools and instructed tactical classes for more than 50 paratroopers.
- Managed a multi-million dollar training budget.
- Maximized the use of a limited training budget to achieve the highest unit readiness possible.
Special Operations Communications Team Leader
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Colorado Springs
05.2011 - 05.2013
- Lived in and instructed soldiers in harsh field conditions; soldiers successfully deployed across two continents.
- Deployed without a direct supervisor to third-world country to support a Special Operations mission, while responsible for equipment valued at over $1.3 million dollars.
- Selected as Battalion Sergeant of the year candidate over peers.
Education
Master's degree - Environmental Policy
American Military University
Charles Town, WV, United States05.2019
Bachelor's degree - Environmental Science- Fish and Wildlife Management Emphasis
American Military University
Charles Town, WV, United States12.2015
Some college (no degree) - Applied Fisheries Technology
University of Alaska Southeast
Sitka, AKSkills
- Regulatory compliance
- Habitat assessment
- Public speaking
- Resource management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Effective communication
- Presenting at conferences
- Project management
- Environmental impact analysis
Availability
Permanent, Term, Presidential Management Fellows, Recent graduates, Multiple, Telework, Full-time
References
- Josh Moffi, NOAA Fisheries/Alaska Region/Sustainable Fisheries Division, Fisheries Management Specialist, 9075867072, joshua.moffi@noaa.gov, professional
- Stewart Cogswell, USFWS Midway Atoll Refuge (Acting Manager), Acting Refuge Manager, 8089544818, stewart_cogswell@fws.gov, professional
Day Phone
9073542484
Job Related Training
- USFWS Alaska Native Relation Training, 1 week, Anchorage, AK
- USFWS Basic Firearms Instructor Course, 4 days, Anchorage, AK
- Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings, 1 week, Juneau, AK
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game Basic Law Enforcement/Compliance, 1 Week, Anchorage, AK
- Wilderness First Aid, 2 Days, Soldotna, AK
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game Shellfish Observer Training, 3 Weeks, Kodiak, AK
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Habitat Biologist
National Marine Fisheries Service
08.2023 - Current
Habitat Restoration Biologist
US Fish and Wildlife Service
03.2022 - Current
Regulatory Specialist
US Army Corps of Engineers
09.2020 - 03.2022
River Center Manager
Kenai Peninsula Borough
09.2019 - 08.2020
Habitat Biologist 2
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
11.2017 - 08.2019
Habitat Biologist I
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
06.2016 - 11.2017
Observer
Saltwater, Inc.
12.2015 - 04.2016
Wildlife Technician
USDA- Wildlife Services
05.2014 - 06.2016
Training Sergeant
4/25 Infantry Division
05.2013 - 05.2014
Special Operations Communications Team Leader
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
05.2011 - 05.2013
Master's degree - Environmental Policy
American Military University
Bachelor's degree - Environmental Science- Fish and Wildlife Management Emphasis
American Military University
Some college (no degree) - Applied Fisheries Technology
University of Alaska Southeast
Similar Profiles
Stephanie M. GarnettStephanie M. Garnett
Chief of Procurement at NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science CenterChief of Procurement at NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Simon DionsonSimon Dionson
Natural Resources Specialist at National Marine Fisheries ServiceNatural Resources Specialist at National Marine Fisheries Service
RAKHI R KRISHNANRAKHI R KRISHNAN
Young Professional I at Central Marine Fisheries Research InstituteYoung Professional I at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
David A. RixnerDavid A. Rixner
Contracting Officer III at State of Alaska Department of Natural ResourcesContracting Officer III at State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Alice PatiAlice Pati
Front Desk Agent at Homewood Suites HotelFront Desk Agent at Homewood Suites Hotel