Fish Culturist - Watha State Fish Hatchery
Full Time
Willard, NC
Posted
Job description
* Salary Grade NC05 * * Recruitment Range: $36,132- $47,609 *
* VACANCY *
* VACANCY *
* Work Location is WRC Watha State Fish Hatchery in Watha, NC (Pender County) *
DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking applicants for a Wildlife Conservation Technician I (working title: “Fish Culturist – Watha State Fish Hatchery”) position for our Inland Fisheries Division.
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission Mission Statement is to conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats and provide programs and opportunities that allow hunters, anglers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation. The Commission is the regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of N.C. fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws. The NCWRC employs 670 full-time staff across the state, including wildlife and fisheries biologists and technicians, wildlife law enforcement officers, wildlife educators, communication specialists, customer service, information technology, and administrative professionals.
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission Inland Fisheries Division manages, conserves, enhances, and restores the State’s freshwater fishes, mussels, crayfish and supporting aquatic habitats through fisheries research, fisheries management, hatchery operation, and habitat conservation.
Located in Pender County between Burgaw and Penderlea, the Watha State Fish Hatchery is a warmwater hatchery featuring 43 ponds covering more than 45 acres of water. It is used to produce channel catfish, largemouth bass, striped bass, Bodie bass (striped bass hybrids), bluegill sunfish, redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, hybrid sunfish and American shad for stocking public waters across the entire state of North Carolina.
The Wildlife Conservation Technician I / Fish Culturist is responsible for performance of tasks resulting in production and distribution of Warmwater fishes. These activities include propagation, rearing, transportation, and distribution of the appropriate species, number, and sizes of selected fish species, and operation and maintenance of supporting facilities and equipment. The duties associated with fish culture include the maintenance of rearing environments, water quality assessment, fish health management, brood fish maintenance, fish feeding, fish spawning, and fish harvesting. The individual in this position will clean ponds, raceways, tanks, and troughs as needed. Position will harvest appropriate fish from pond or raceway environments for final distribution and will load correct species, quantities, and sizes of fish onto distribution trucks. Individual in this position will safely operate a two-ton stocking truck to transport fish to specific locations while monitoring the condition of fish and will then distribute fish into public waters. Attentiveness to water quality, dissolved oxygen, fish health and nutrition is required in all phases of the production cycle. The individual in this position also prepares routine reports and interacts with the public frequently.
Additional duties include maintaining Hatchery grounds, buildings, and equipment. Individual performs routine grounds maintenance activities which includes mowing, trimming, leaf removal, landscaping, and application of agricultural chemicals. Other duties are assigned as needed.
A modified schedule is associated with this position which involves working 40 hours per week within a Monday-Friday timeframe (specific times set by manager), with night work and overnight travel required on occasion. Individual in this position may be required to work some limited weekends and/or holidays.
Position will be based out of WRC Watha State Fish Hatchery located in Watha/Williard, NC (Pender County).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
In order to receive consideration during the selection process - You must document on the application - the competences you have, as they relate to the job you are applying for.
Some of the competencies for this position are:
Knowledge of warmwater fish culture- Skills and abilities in the operation and maintenance of the hatchery and laboratory equipment used in warmwater fish production
- Possess the ability to operate and maintain equipment used at a fish hatchery including farm tractor, fish feeder, lawn mower, stocking and pickup trucks, other motor vehicles, pumps, microscopes, other laboratory equipment, water quality instruments, water chemistry test kits, fish tagging equipment, and various hand and power tools.
- Possess the ability to identify, sex, and age fish species; ability to collect and record physical, chemical, and biological data
- Skills need to construct, maintain, and repair equipment, buildings, and other facilities
- Ability to conduct fish surveys and collect scientific data
- Knowledge of the principles and techniques of fish and wildlife management
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with crew members, other staff, cooperating agencies and organizations, and the general public
- Ability to periodically engage in heavy physical work and to work in rugged terrain and in a variety of weather conditions
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Associate Degree in Wildlife or Fisheries Management or Construction Management from an appropriately accredited institution, and two years of experience which has included the management of wildlife or fisheries resources or the operation of heavy equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS: This position works primarily outdoors, in all kinds of weather conditions. Position will be performing some manual labor in lifting medium to heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds on a daily basis. Employee is required to wear a State approved uniform and certain safety equipment as well as follow established safety regulations and procedures. Candidate must present proof of a valid NC Driver’s License (or obtain one within 90 days of hire) and proof of an acceptable driving record.
SPECIAL NOTE: This position is required to live in on-site housing provided by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS: This position works primarily outdoors, in all kinds of weather conditions. Position will be performing some manual labor in lifting medium to heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds on a daily basis. Employee is required to wear a State approved uniform and certain safety equipment as well as follow established safety regulations and procedures. Candidate must present proof of a valid NC Driver’s License (or obtain one within 90 days of hire) and proof of an acceptable driving record.
SPECIAL NOTE: This position is required to live in on-site housing provided by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
BENEFITS: North Carolina State government employees enjoy many benefits including a retirement pension plan, 401K/457 membership, Paid Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave, State Health Plan, and various other benefits. Benefits information can be found by Googling “NC OSHR Benefits” or going directly to the NC OSHR website at: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits .
Salary will be based on budget, education, experience and equity. This position is a Salary Grade NC05, with a Hiring Range of $36,132 to $47,609.
Visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission page (https://www.ncwildlife.org/ ) for more information about careers with WRC.
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