FISH HATCHERY MANAGER - 11102026-82619

State of Tennessee; Erwin (TN); On-site; USD 66,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site housing

Job summary

State of Tennessee's Wildlife Resources Agency seeks an experienced wildlife resources professional to manage habitat, lead population studies, and oversee field operations across a large wildlife area in Erwin, TN.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in wildlife or a related field and two years of full-time wildlife work; graduate coursework may substitute for some experience, and a valid driver’s license may be required. On-site housing is provided as part of the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in wildlife or related field and two years of full-time professional wildlife resources work.
• Graduate coursework in wildlife management may substitute for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis.
• A valid motor vehicle operator license may be required.

Responsibilities

• Assists other Wildlife Managers with wildlife population studies. Provides technical support to forestry research programs.
• Prepares and monitors budget; orders supplies and equipment; sells permits and licenses.
• Supervises, monitors and protects fry to support stocking programs; oversees feeding of fish in ponds.
• Constructs and maintains buildings, storage sheds, roads, bridges, and trails; conducts lands management activities.
• Performs reforestation and forest protection activities; conducts environmental reviews of projects.

Skills

Active Learning and Listening

Manual dexterity

Near Vision

Trunk Strength

Multilimbed Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in wildlife or related field

Tools

Boats

Motor Vehicles

Tractors & Farm Implements

Firearms-Rifles

ATVs

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 11/10/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 11/10/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 11/30/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $5,901.00 - $9,166.00

Salary (Annually) $70,812.00 - $109,992.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Erwin, TN

Department Wildlife Resources

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY, UNICOI COUNTY

Selected candidate must reside in on-site housing provided by TWRA

This is an on-site position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in wildlife or fisheries management, wildlife biology, or other related acceptable field and experience equivalent to two years of full-time professional wildlife resources work; additional graduate coursework in wildlife management or other related acceptable field may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of one year.

Necessary Special Qualifications

Applicants for this class must:

• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator license may be required.

Examination Method

Education and experience,100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Under general supervision, is responsible for advanced professional wildlife management work of average difficulty and supervisory work of routine difficulty in the implementation of wildlife management practices in a large wildlife area or facility; and performs related work as required. An employee in this class leads in a variety of activities associated with the management of wildlife, wildlife lands, and fish and fish facilities. Work involves leading in wildlife habitat development and maintenance, public relations activities, research data collection, and facilities maintenance. This class differs from that of Wildlife Manager 1 in that an incumbent of the latter is responsible for overseeing a moderate-sized wildlife area or facility. This class differs from that of Wildlife Manager 3 in that an incumbent of the latter is responsible for multiple wildlife management areas and fisheries programs.

Responsibilities

• Assists other Wildlife Managers with wildlife population studies. Provides technical support to forestry research programs in areas such as tree improvement, seed orchard operations, insect and disease surveys, or experimental forestry and forest engineering research.
• Prepares and monitors budget; orders supplies and equipment; sells permits and licenses.
• Supervises, monitors and protects fry where they continue to grow to supply adult stocking programs; oversees the feeding of the fish in ponds. Leads in the collection of fish by using electro-fishing (shocking) methods.
• Constructs and maintains buildings, storage sheds, roads, bridges, and trails at the assigned agency area. Performs/Oversees lands management activities which include forest thinning and harvesting, prescribed fire, application of herbicides to control vegetation growth and invasive species, disking, and mowing. Locates and traps animals such as turkeys and bears for relocation to other areas of the state.
• Performs reforestation, or forest renewal, including nursery and silviculture operations, site preparation, seeding and tree planting programs, cone collection, and tree improvement. Leads and conducts forest protection activities, including fire control, fire crew training, fire detection and public education.
• Performs environmental reviews of construction, road, bridge, utility line projects with regard to listed species and impacts to populations and habitats.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies

• Plans and Aligns
• Cultivates Innovation
• Communicates Effectively
• Drives Results
• Being Resilient

Knowledges

• Biology
• Building and Construction
• Customer and Personal Service
• Clerical
• Administration and Management

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Manual dexterity
• Near Vision
• Trunk Strength
• Multilimbed Coordination

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Stamina
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension

Tools & Equipment

• Boats
• Motor Vehicles
• Tractors & Farm Implements
• Firearms-Rifles
• ATVs

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.