Fish Culturist II

Yasama Nation; Ellensburg (WA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) in Ellensburg is seeking a Fish Culturist II to support hatchery operations and care for fish and facilities. You will assist the Hatchery Manager and team in production tasks and routine maintenance, reporting results and conditions.

The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least two years of hatchery experience, with the ability to pass a drug test and hold a WA Driver's License with a Yakama Nation permit.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus two years hatchery experience.
• Pass pre-employment drug test.
• Valid Washington Driver's License with Yakama Nation permit.
• Enrolled Yakama Preference; all qualified applicants encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the Hatchery Manager and work unit in hatchery operation and maintenance.
• Perform duties involved in hatchery production, caring for fish and facilities as scheduled.
• Operate and maintain machinery and equipment used in hatchery operations.
• Maintain records of pond loss, weight and size gains, medications and water temperature.

Skills

Fish knowledge

Machinery operation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Hatchery equipment

Job description

Fish Culturist II

Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP)

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $15.74-$17.72/Regular/Furlough

Location: Ellensburg

Provide support to the Hatchery Manager and work unit in the operation and maintenance of fish hatcheries. Perform a variety of duties involved in fish hatchery production, assisting in manual and technical work. Care for fish and facilities as scheduled.

Examples of Work Performed:

• Remove eggs from fish, weigh and sort eggs, attend to egg and fry in the incubators and transfer fry from troughs to ponds; prepare food and feed fish; net and mark percentage of fry before trucking to acclimation sites for release and down-stream migration.
• Detect diseases in fish and administer prescribed treatment; dissects dead, spawned out salmon to check for diseased livers and retention of eggs; take samples for disease analysis.
• Trap and select adult salmon for use as brood stock.
• Operate an eyeing or egg taking station as sum-unit of a regular hatchery.
• Maintain fish propagation records such as pond loss, weight and size gains, medications, diets and water temperature.
• Clean ponds, troughs, trays, screens and rack; mend nets and traps; mow lawns; repair and paint buildings and equipment; operate various mechanical equipment such as pumps, grinders, power mowers, forklift and light automotive equipment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of various species of fish; common fish disease and usual treatment habits of fish care and propagation of fish methods, equipment and supplies used in maintenance of buildings and grounds.
• Ability to operate and maintain machinery and equipment used in hatchery operations; direct and work with other employees; understand and carry out written and oral instructions; maintain simple records.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent and two years of fish hatchery experience.
• Required to pass pre-employment drug test.
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Tribal Driving Permit.
• Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.