Fish Culturist II(RFT)-YKFP

Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; Prosser (WA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) in Prosser, WA is hiring a Fish Culturist II to support hatchery operations under the Hatchery Manager. Responsibilities include handling eggs and fry, disease checks, brood stock selection, and maintaining propagation records.

The role requires applying care to fish and facilities, operating hatchery equipment, and adhering to Yakama Nation rules. This is a regular full-time, hourly position based in Prosser.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of various species of fish and disease patterns.
• Ability to operate and maintain hatchery machinery and equipment.
• Ability to direct and work with other employees.
• Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
• Maintain simple records such as pond losses and temperatures.

Responsibilities

• Assist Hatchery Manager in day-to-day hatchery operations.
• Care for fish and facilities as scheduled.
• Maintain pond, troughs, trays, screens, and racks; clean and repair as needed.
• Operate pumps, grinders, mowers, forklift and light vehicles.
• Record weights, sizes, and medications; monitor water temperature.
• Follow Yakama Nation Rules and Regulations.

Skills

Fish species knowledge

Machinery operation

Team collaboration

Written and oral instructions

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years fish hatchery experience

Job description

Fish Culturist II

Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP)

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $15.74-$17.72/Regular/Full-Time

Location: Prosser

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.
• Abide by Yakama Nation Rules and Regulations.

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.