Announcement:Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.ResumeCover LetterApplications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on September 19, 2025. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.Fort Peck, Montana is a hidden gem nestled in the Northeast corner of Montana. The town of Fort Peck (population -- 235) and the Fort Peck Multispecies Fish Hatchery (FPH) sit below Fort Peck Reservoir. This reservoir is the largest hydraulically filled dam in the USA. Fort Peck Reservoir is known for its world class fishery and is surrounded by world class hunting and other outdoor opportunities. The town of Fort Peck is located 17 miles south of the "Middle of Nowhere", Glasgow, MT. Fort Peck is two hours to either Miles City, MT or Williston, ND, and is four and five hours from Billings, MT (Montana's largest city) and Great Falls, MT.Special Information:Identity of applicants who become finalists may be releases to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.Specific Job Information:1. Applicant will supply a Resume, Cover Letter, and References.2. Employee must possess a basic knowledge of fish biology and fish culture/husbandry.3. Employee will possess good speaking, writing and computer skills.4. Employee must possess good math skills, including statistics and algebra.5. Employee will handle the physical demands of the position (capable of lifting and carrying 50Ibs or more daily at one time), sometimes over rough and hazardous terrain.6. State housing may become available with this position. Employee will be required to stay in State housing, when available.7. Employee is to perform fish and water supply duties during business hours, after hours, weekends, and holidays on rotating shifts with staff.8. The Fish Culture Specialist 1 position is considered an Exempt Comp Time position. This means any hours worked over 40 will be set up as time for time (hour for hour) and will be used as time off and not overtime pay.9. Employee may be required to obtain a Class B CDL, over 26,000 GWR, with tanker endorsement within 18 months of hire.Job Duties:Duties include daily fish culture techniques and activities for cool, cold and possibly warm-water fish species. Spawning techniques include selecting and collecting mature broodstock, stripping and collecting fish gametes, fertilization of green eggs, proper disinfection of fertilized eggs, egg enumeration, and proper placement in numerous types of incubation systems. Fish husbandry techniques in the proper care of fish species throughout entire life cycle to achieve a high quality, healthy fish at stocking time. This is to include achieving high egg, fry, fingerling and fish survival, appropriate equipment use, sample counts using several skills, chemical treatments (including, but not limited to, egg disinfection and calculating and administrating therapeutic treatment), flow rates and maintaining good biosecurity measures throughout the hatchery complex and spawning areas/sites.Understanding the process of extensive pond culture. Walleye and northern pike are currently raised in the FPH ponds. These ponds consist of 45 surface acres of water. There are 8 – ½ -acre, 23 – 1-acre, and 9- 2-acre ponds on facility grounds. Assist supervisor and coworkers with prepping, filling and fertilizing ponds for phytoplankton and zooplankton production. Assist in the stocking of fry and evaluating pond production throughout the growing season. Drain ponds, collect, sample and stock fingerlings in numerous water bodies in Montana.Understanding the proper and safe use of hatchery equipment and vehicles. Able to perform preventative/routine maintenance and upkeep, insuring the safe and proper use of various hand/power tools, fish culture equipment, different types of transport vehicles, and life support systems.Understands, monitors, maintains and regulates the Hatchery Water and Building Control systems, and emergency generators. Execute and implement Emergency Action Procedures. Preforms Fish and Water Security duties when needed. Works beyond normal hours (nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies) to complete tasks.Maintenance of Equipment and Hatchery ComplexMaintain and operate all facility infrastructure and equipment to assure long term operational viability, safety and efficiency. Conduct infrastructure, equipment and supply inventories and assist in the purchasing items for the FPH to operate in a safe and efficient manner.Preform preventative/routine maintenance on facility, equipment, buildings and grounds. Preforming preparation, building maintenance, and various grounds and road maintenance tasks.Purchasing unique materials, call out for services and equipment, by writing work/equipment specifications and following state purchasing guidelines and rules.Hatchery Administration and Data RecordingAssist supervisor and coworkers with data collection. To include, fish life stage data, feed use and inventories, flow rates, fish lot data, and all others assigned. All assignments and duties to be completed with attention to detail, accuracy, and timely. Record data/information and maintain written and computer records to meet Hatchery, State and Federal needs. Proficient knowledge with computer software programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Ability to learn, comprehend and utilize new computer programs (HATCH, FIS) and other FWP and Hatchery Bureau specific programs.Tasks Outside the Scope of the HatcheryAssist other State and Federal Hatcheries in the transportation of various fish species, spawning activities and general hatchery help. Participate in various public relation activities (tours, kid’s fishing days, presentations, and school activities, either indoor or outdoor). Attend, participate, and present in State, FWP, Hatchery Bureau, and public meetings throughout the state and surrounding states.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):Basic fish culture techniques for warm, cool and cold-water fish propagationFish handling and transportation and the systems used for theseSuccessful spawning of fish and transferred eggsFish disease identification and managementGood math skillsKnowledge of basic fish biologyBasic computer skills for Excel, MS Word, Hatch or Power Point (or similar applications)Good communication skills: verbal and written.Basic mechanical skills for facility and equipment maintenanceBasic knowledge of construction methods and toolsAbility to manage multiple tasks and time managementQualificationsMinimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Wildlife, or associated field and at least 1 year of job-related experience. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
