Fish Health Specialist

State of Montana•Great Falls, MT

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties of this position are usually acquired through a bachelor's degree in fish health management, fish & wildlife management, fish and wildlife biology, microbiology or closely related field and 1-2 years prior work experience. Combinations of education and experience that could provide such knowledge, skills and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis. The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application. State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant. THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL. Announcement: Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement. Resume Cover Letter References Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on July 6, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site. Special Information: This position may be eligible for a statutory base pay increase of $1.00 an hour effective July 1, 2026. Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association). A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation. Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply. Effective June 22, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/ Specific Job Information: The duty station is the Fish Health Laboratory in Great Falls, MT Considerable outdoor work including in adverse conditions for extended periods of time is required. Field work may involve work in remote locations and be able to carry heavy loads to work site. May involve working long hours and some weekends. The job frequently requires long trips, driving long distances and extended time away from home and the duty station.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in fish health management, fish & wildlife management, fish and wildlife biology, microbiology or closely related field and 1-2 years prior work experience.
Considerable knowledge of fish disease, fish health management, fish biology, fish culture, microbiological techniques, statistics, algebra, chemistry, and computers.
Strong speaking and writing skills.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to schedule time effectively.
Ability to work effectively with other people.
Interest and ability to learn and apply fish disease concepts, laws and policies.
Ability to grasp and learn new techniques to keep up with changing technologies.
Ability to utilize proper laboratory procedures to identify fish pathogens.
Ability to interpret laboratory results.
Knowledge of the use of compound and dissecting microscopes and other laboratory equipment.
Must have a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Incumbent will work in all areas of fish health management.
Conducts both routine and diagnostic fish health inspections on both wild and hatchery reared fish, including preparation of culture media and field sampling materials, sample collection in the field and in the lab, preparation of samples for shipping to appropriate laboratories, and conducting laboratory work necessary to identify bacterial and parasitic fish pathogens.
Incumbent is responsible for collecting and managing data, communicating findings, and providing reports to various parties.
Must maintain technical competence in the fish health and fisheries fields by participating in workshops, professional meetings, and other educational opportunities.
Participates in educational and public relations activities.
Performs laboratory work related to fish health investigations and health condition assessments.
Provides assistance in reviewing and issuing import permits and transport permits.
Works with hatchery staff to develop strategies to prevent and control diseases in Montana’s 11 State fish hatcheries.