Fish Culture Specialist 1

Montana State Government

  • Arlee, MT
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 9 days ago
Announcement:Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.ResumeCover LetterReferencesApplications 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 17, 2025. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.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. Handling/spawning 12+ pound brood fish for multiple days in a row in freezing conditions.6. State housing is provided and employee will be required to live on station.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.10. Arlee, Montana is located 25 miles from Missoula, Montana within the Confederated Salish KootenaiJob Duties:
Duties include daily fish culture activities for cold water species (trout & salmon). Collect, receive, disinfect, enumerate, chemically treat, and incubate fish eggs. Monitor and estimate hatching and swim up survival. Perform tasks associated with feeding up to 25 different lots of
fish (feeding, monitoring feed intake and waste, and adjusting feeding rates). Provide a non-stressful rearing environment (cleaning, monitoring and adjusting flows, and monitoring gas levels). Observes, reports, and alleviates fish health problems (recognizes signs and symptoms, identifies probable pathogens through necropsy, calculates and administers therapeutic treatments). Maintains the proper carrying capacity of rearing units (samples, transfers, inventories fish lots). Evaluates fish culture techniques by researching scientific publications, attending workshops, and conducting experiments. Loads fish into trucks utilizing several types of inventory methods, operates five types of delivery trucks (3/4-ton 4x4, 1 ½ ton 4x4, and three Class B diesels rated over 26,000 GVW), monitors fish health enroute making adjustments as necessary, and releases fish into various waters throughout the state. Operates other unique hatchery equipment (gas meters, microscope, fish loader, pumps, graders, forklift). If
living in state hatchery housing, must perform fish and water supply protection duty in rotation with other employees living on-station.
Performs unique and skilled maintenance and repair of hatchery equipment, trucks, buildings, and grounds to keep facility in excellent operational and visually aesthetic condition. Assist supervisor with data collection, entering information on forms and/or computer. Helps with bill payments. May be assigned as acting supervisor when supervisor is away for extended periods. Performs task outside of Big Springs Trout Hatchery such as taking ovarian fluid samples, working at other hatcheries (helping with spawning or stocking), spawning wild brood stocks, and performing various public relation activities (tours, kids fishing day, presentations, school activities).Reservation. Arlee in nestled in the Jocko Valley between Yellowstone NP and Glacier NP, near Missoula International Airport and the National Bison Range. All the activities of Western Montana are available from skiing, rafting, fishing, hunting, hiking, boating on Flathead Lake and Clark Fork River, and travel. Jocko River Trout Hatchery is home to the world-famous Arlee Rainbow broodstock.QualificationsMinimum 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. This position may require a Montana Commercial Driver’s License Type 2 Class B and the ability to safely and effectively drive and operate combination vehicles over 26,000 lbs G.V.W. This license also requires an initial drug and alcohol test and then random drug testing to maintain the CDL.Special Requirements:· Fingerprint check· Background check· Valid driver’s license

Montana State Government