Fish Culturist (Wildlife Biologist I)

Full Job Description

Job Title: Fish Culturist (Wildlife Biologist I)

Job Description
How would you like to work 15 minutes from breathtaking Lake Powell? As an employee of the Wahweap State Fish Hatchery, you can do just that! You will have an interesting opportunity to cultivate some of Utah's native and sportfish. You will raise bonytail, catfish, virgin river chub, boreal toad, and hybrid striped bass in in lined and earthen ponds.

Wahweap State Fish Hatchery provides a variety of new opportunities for employees to learn, and advance within the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The hatchery is in Kane County near Lake Powell and The Grand Staircase National Monument. This position is eligible for a full benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance long-term disability insurance a retirement plan, plus paid leave to include annual, sick and holiday pay.
View Utah State Benefits

For more information about the department of division, please click the links below:
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Utah Department of Natural Resources

Requirements

As the fish culturist, you will:

• Facility:
  • Ponds – Prepare ponds, monitor, measure and adjust water quality, to raise sport and endangered fish species in 35 earthen or lined culture ponds. Measure and record dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH as directed.

  Maintain hatchery, office, and facility cleanliness. All troughs and incubators should be kept clean to prevent the growth of pathogens.

  Keep disinfection equipment clean and charged, keep equipment disinfected and follow disinfection and biosecurity policies and protocols.

  Keep work areas and facility clean and tidy to improve work efficiency, reduce hazards, and appearance to those we serve, as-well-as increase the overall longevity of equipment, vehicles and facility infrastructure.

  • Maintain culture equipment, facility infrastructure, and vehicles as necessary or as directed.
• Fish:
  • Feed - Ensure that proper feed size and amounts are fed to each lot. Use good culture techniques to minimize feed waste and fish size variability. Keep records up to date. Continually observe fish for signs of stress and disease.
  • Collect and record fish and water quality data daily. Properly dispose of mortalities to reduce risk to other fish. Perform heath and growth sampling as necessary. Keep log sheets up to date and accurate.
  • Use appropriate software to retrieve information on the station and assist with reporting or data entry.
  • Administer treatments on eggs and fish and use proper calculations for treatments.
  • Ensure that fish are stocked into receiving waters correctly and with a minimum amount of stress.
• Misc.:
  • Obtain a non-commercial pesticide applicators license.
  • Assist other facilities or regions as necessity warrants.
  • Work weekends as assigned with little to no supervision.
  • Ensuring all needed chores are completed.
  • Respond to alarms during and after hours when superintendent and assistant are unable.
  • And all other duties as deemed necessary by management.
  • As needed, perform public outreach and facility tours.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

• Position requires a BS degree or higher, or 2 years directly related work experience.
• Have or obtain and maintain a valid driver's license
• Must be able to work without direct supervision
• Travel in-state and out-of-state travel including occasional overnight stays

• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that may include working extended days and some weekends.

Preferred/Additional Qualifications:

• Experience with threatened and endangered species, wiper, striper, muskie, northern pike, walleye, catfish, white bass, or tiger muskie.

Additional Information

Working Conditions

• Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working in fish hatchery and field conditions, hazardous chemicals, etc.
• Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.
• Work will be performed in various environments including standard office conditions to working outdoors.