Fish Culturist I (Off Grid Hatchery) - CCH

The Fish Culturist I is a regular, full-time position with benefits. Position is available at the remote, off-grid facility, Cannery Creek Hatchery (CCH), located about 2 hours east of Whittier, AK by boat. The Cannery Creek Hatchery is a pink salmon facility that releases approximately 168 million pink salmon fry every year.

BENEFITS

• Health/Vision/Dental Insurance (no monthly premium cost)
• Life Insurance (no monthly cost)
• 100% employee vested 403(b) Retirement Plan, 6% employer match after 1 yr of service
• 5 Weeks Annual Leave
• Annual Leave Travel Assistance
• Work Wear Allowance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employer-Provided Housing

Position Title: Fish Culturist I
Category: Full time, Regular
Payroll Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt
Organizational Unit: Hatchery Operations
Location: Remote (off-grid), Hatchery or Field Station
Customary Work Hours: Variable, Based on 40-hour workweek (infrequent overtime)

Basic Function:  Fish Culturist I functions as part of the hatchery operations team in the cultivating and rearing of fish.  Under supervision, initiates, supervises and performs complex paraprofessional or technical field, laboratory, or office work, or directs minor segments in various phases of hatchery operations.  Independent judgment is exercised with written procedural approaches and only unique and complex situations referred to the supervisor.

Distinguishing Characteristics:  This class is the first working level of the fish culturist series.  Incumbents may act as the technical project leader of a programmatic segment of a hatchery project.  As senior technical specialists, incumbents are allowed discretion in achieving objectives directed toward goals and assignments which require considerable knowledge of principles and practices of aquaculture, and a thorough knowledge of culture for one or more salmonid species. Incumbents summarize data in written reports and write recommendations for management decisions, and assist in writing the annual report representing the segment of the project for which the position is responsible.  Positions have authority to initiate and direct the work of lower level technicians and perform on-going functions in the areas of field logistics, supply and personnel/payroll.  Work may involve contact with the public.

Fish Culturist I is distinguished from the II level in that incumbents manage a segment of a project and/or assist higher level culturists in managing a project; and they do not serve as acting manager of the hatchery in the absence of the Hatchery Manager and the Assistant Manager.

Description of duties and tasks:      

• Fish propagation: Enumerating, caring, killing, spawning and disposing of carcasses; preparing, cleaning and maintaining incubator; monitoring and maintaining water quality; loading, enumerating, picking and caring for egg/alevin; rearing, enumerating and setting up outmigration of fry; perform other general duties associated with fish culture operations.
• Fish Harvest: Preparing, repairing and maintaining harvest equipment; loading, transporting, caring for and unloading harvest pens; collecting and recording fish harvest management data.
• Takes samples from commercial fisheries catches for data on species, size, age and sex composition; collects scales, otoliths, ovaries or other biological specimens, scale mounting.
• Site cleanup, general maintenance and repair, cleans, sweeps or shovels snow.
• Leads by example work flow or scheduling to other crew members in a team.
• Use computers and computer software to conduct routine data entry or output.
• Performs as a crew leader supervising lower level technicians in the performance of routine duties, maintenance and operations.  May train lower level technicians in the collection of biological data or samples, performance of hatchery operations and/or operation of field stations, etc.
• Performs simple functions in the areas of personnel, procurement and supply to maintain a steady workflow for daily scheduled tasks.
• Maintains and adjusts water supplies to provide desired quality, quantity and temperature to incubation and rearing units.
• Use computers and computer software to conduct routine data entry or output.
• Serves as a project leader of a remote field station.
• Helps the project supervisor in the area of supply procurement and quarterly ordering as it applies to project budgets.
• Communicates daily information to supervisor to maintain logistical support of crews.
• Recommends procedures, techniques and new equipment to improve work efficiencies or adaptation to new techniques.
• Organizes, collects and presents data for reports and compiles information or assists in the writing of reports; compiles data and simple reports and/or maps; performs statistical computations; designs logs and forms for data collection.
• Discriminates, counts and measures annual growth marks on fish scales.
• Effectively interacts with public and directs inquiries to appropriate department or persons.
• Performs laboratory work such as identification and processing of fish, plankton or parts thereof.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:  Work performed at any hatchery or remote location as needed.  Must be able to move about freely; work outdoors in all weather conditions; ability to lift and carry 50 pounds; ability to climb stairs and ladders; ability to climb aboard and about vessels and small aircraft; work around water – on docks and floats; use telephones and computers unimpaired.  Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.  Must be able to hear and see to receive verbal and written instructions.

Positions Supervised:  Lower level fish technician.

Disclaimer: Duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list, and additional tasks may be assigned from time to time. The scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.