Fisheries Technician III

State of South Carolina; West Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of South Carolina is seeking a dedicated fisheries technician to oversee fish propagation, manage hatchery operations, and support annual production targets at Cohen Campbell Fisheries Center and Barnwell Hatchery.

Responsibilities include coordinating with the Hatchery Coordinator, maintaining facilities and equipment, and assisting with budgeting and purchasing. The role requires outdoor work daily in various weather conditions and adherence to safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in technical sciences and 1 year of wildlife/fisheries experience OR a high school diploma with 3 years of wildlife/fisheries experience.
• SC Pesticide Applicators License (Aquatics) or ability to acquire within 1 year of employment.
• Ability to work outdoors daily in all weather conditions, lift heavy objects, follow instructions, perform detailed work, and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Oversee distribution of fish to public waters and implement fisheries development and management plans.
• Contribute to operation of Cohen Campbell Fisheries Center and Barnwell State Fish Hatchery, including pond grow-out activities.
• Maintain facilities, equipment, and grounds at the Fisheries Center and Hatchery.
• Ensure a well-maintained environment supporting fish culture, production, and outreach.
• Collaborate with Hatchery Coordinator to meet annual freshwater fish production goals.
• Support budgeting and purchasing for hatchery operations.

Skills

Outdoor work

Heavy lifting

Detail-oriented

Data recording

Education

Associate degree in technical sciences

High school diploma + 3 years wildlife/fisheries experience

SC Pesticide Applicators License (Aquatics) or ability to acquire in 1 year

Job description

Job Responsibilities

This employee will oversee the culture and propagation of fish species, management plans, and actively participate in the operation of the Cohen Campbell Fisheries Center and Barnwell State Fish Hatchery.

Job Duties Include

• Successfully managing the distribution of fish species to public waters throughout the state, ensuring proper implementation of fisheries development and management plans.
• Contributing to the efficient operation of the Cohen Campbell Fisheries Center and Barwell State Fish Hatchery, including overseeing pond grow-out activities in a large production hatchery.
• Maintaining the Cohen Campbell Fisheries Center and Barnwell State Fish Hatchery facilities, equipment, and grounds.
• Ensuring a well-maintained environment that supports optimal fish culture, production and outreach efforts.
• Collaborating with the Hatchery Coordinator to meet annual freshwater fish production objectives.
• Contributing to the achievement of set targets for species distribution, while adhering to established guidelines and procedures to ensure successful propagation and stocking of fish species.
• Providing administrative support for hatchery operations.
• Contributing to the financial aspects of hatchery operations by assisting with budgeting and purchasing.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

An associate degree in the technical sciences and one (1) year of experience in wildlife or fisheries work; or a high school diploma and three (3) years of experience in wildlife or fisheries work.

SC Pesticide Applicators License (Aquatics Category) or ability to acquire within one (1) year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of basic fish culture, hatchery operations, water quality monitoring, or general maintenance practices is preferred. Ability to work outdoors daily in all weather conditions, including extreme heat, rain, and cold. Ability to lift and carry heavy objects, follow oral and written instructions, perform detailed work accurately, and work independently with limited supervision. Ability to safely use hand tools, equipment, vehicles and utility vehicles preferred. Dependable, willing to learn and able to work cooperatively with hatchery staff.

Benefits For State Employees

• health and dental insurance
• retirement and savings plan options
• paid vacation and sick leave
• telecommuting and flexible work schedules

Insurance Benefits

• health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits
• dental
• vision
• term life insurance
• long term disability
• flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• defined benefit
• defined contribution plans
• South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options

Workplace Benefits

• tuition assistance
• holiday, annual and sick leave
• discounts on purchases, travel and more

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01
Are you currently employed with SCDNR?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have AT LEAST an associate degree in the technical sciences AND one (1) year of experience in wildlife or fisheries work OR a high school diploma AND three (3) years of experience in wildlife or fisheries work?

• Yes
• No

03
Describe your most relevant hands-on experience with fish culture, aquaculture, animal husbandry, or maintaining live aquatic organism. (Please include the setting and your role)

04
Describe your experience operating, hauling, launching, maintaining, or repairing field or hatchery equipment. (Examples may include boats, trailers, pumps, mowers, tractors, small engines, or related equipment)

05
Describe one example of how you have recorded, organized, or used work-related data. (Examples may include water quality readings, production records, inventory, maintenance logs, spreadsheets, databases, or reports)

06
This position will involve outdoor work, early mornings, harvest/stocking days, occasional travel, and changing priorities. Describe the type of work schedule and field conditions you have successfully worked under.

• Required Question