Aquatic Research and Conservation Center Hatchery Manager

Description of Duties: This position serves as the on-site hatchery manager of the Aquatic Research and jobshiringnearme.org Center (ARCC), which specializes in research on native fishes supporting conservation efforts. Oversees daily operations and maintenance of the facility, including all aspects of fish care and propagation. Oversees daily facilities care and maintenance, equipment care, ordering and inventorying supplies. Assists in the planning and execution of facility enhancement or renovation projects, as needed. Monitors budget and expenditures for the facility and assists the Aquatic Research Program Manager in managing and optimizing facility budget. Supervises a Wildlife Specialist Level 1 (Fish Culturist) and possibly intern positions at the facility, including all aspects of recruitment, training, performance review, and mentoring. Supports research projects through logistical help, implementation and care of study fish.

 Major duties will include:

• FISH CARE AND PROPAGATION: Provides overall fish care and spawning techniques for fish on site. Produces and interprets feed charts, calculates fish feed needs and places feed orders. Diagnoses and treats fish diseases with therapeutic chemicals as necessary, in coordination with the Department fish health specialist. Stays current on fish diseases and parasites, diagnosis processes, and appropriate treatment methods.
• MAINTENANCE OF HATCHERY FACILITIES: Maintains hatchery buildings, grounds, and support systems. Performs minor maintenance on vehicles and equipment. Operates vehicles for hatchery operations (ATVs, stocking trucks, fork lift, front-end loader, etc.). Designs and fabricate specialty tools/equipment and additions or modifications to hatchery equipment. Assists in the planning and execution of facility enhancement or renovation projects, as needed.
• HATCHERY DUTIES: Cleans rearing ponds, tanks, and raceways, adjusts water flows, removes dead fish, checks water quality and quantity within the hatchery. Gathers, compiles, and analyzes fish culture data, size/weight of fish, and water quality data. Uses models to forecast refuge population sizes and collection needs. Communicates with federal and state managers to identify spawning priorities, desired production numbers, preferred stocking locations and times, and collection needs of the facility. Responsible for monitoring 24 hour facility alarms and required action in the event of an emergency.
• SUPERVISION: Supervise a Fish Culturist I and possibly intern positions at the facility, including all aspects of recruitment, training, performance review, and mentoring.
• RESEARCH SUPPORT: Supports research conducted at the facility, including facilitation of fish housing and treatments as specified in study designs. Assists with research projects as needed, including tagging, marking, and measuring fish. As needed, assists with development of research methods, including techniques for improving culture of endangered fish species. Serves as facility host for visiting scientists, and provides similar support for their research, as approved for the facility.
• COORDINATION AND OUTREACH: Serves as the Safety Monitor for the facility. Participates in public outreach and education. Works as part of the larger Research Branch team to accomplish the branch’s goals and operational objectives which include, but are not limited to, outreach, training, and providing expertise and support to other work units in the Department.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The candidate must have knowledge of/in: fish and wildlife management. Knowledge of endangered and desert fishes; Personnel management and leadership techniques; Rules and regulations related to personnel, environmental compliance, regulatory laws, and OSHA laws; Fish biology and behavior in an intensive culture setting. Understanding diagnostics of aquatic disease/parasite/pathogen symptoms as well as medical and/or chemical treatments. Basic water chemistry; Federal, state and agency laws, rules, and regulations, policies and procedures appropriate to assignment; Computerized and manual data/information management in a hatchery setting. Aquaculture techniques in a pond-culture, raceway, and circular tank setting; Speciality equipment and vehicle operation and maintenance. Basic trades such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding, fabrication, and the tools and equipment used in basic trades.

Candidates must have skills/abilities of/in: Supervision and personnel management; Applying principles and techniques of fish biology, behavior, propagation, and care in an intensive culture setting. Identifying symptoms of disease/parasites in fish. Use detailed application techniques for medications and chemicals; Applying appropriate federal, state and agency laws, rules and regulations. Applying public relations and problem-solving techniques and applications to everyday work; Promoting positive interpersonal relationships with the public and staff. Communicating verbally and in writing; Use of basic computer applications; Use and perform basic maintenance and repair on a variety of hatchery-related vehicles, buildings, tools, and equipment.

The candidate must have the ability to: Communicate effectively through verbal and writing; Advanced problem solving abilities. Ability to learn quickly. Ability to make critical decisions using various information and with sound judgment; Ability to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships. Perform as a lead worker, work alone and with others, and ability to work self-supervised; Work varied hours and have the ability to respond to and coordinate response to 24-hr emergencies; The ability to lift 50+ lbs to chest height and/or carry heavy equipment for extended periods. Work indoors and outdoors in often harsh conditions.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in a wildlife science or closely related field and three years of experience in wildlife research or management or equivalent to a Hatchery manager.

Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

All newly hired employees will be subject to the E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification program.

Our work environment offers training opportunities and encourages career development.

The State of Arizona offers an outstanding comprehensive benefits package including:

 * 13 days of vacation

 * 12 sick days with accumulation benefits

 * 10 paid holiday

* Participation in the nationally recognized Arizona State Retirement System

 * Superior health care options

 * Vision care, dental care, pharmacy benefits, and flexible spending account (options available)

* Life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance options are available

 * Many more benefit programs are available

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity agency