G&P Fish & Wildlife Biologist I

State of Nebraska•Valentine, NE

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is hiring a Fish & Wildlife Biologist I at the Valentine State Fish Hatchery. The position assists the Fish Production Manager with fish culture and aquatic programs and supports the Fisheries District Biologist with fisheries management activities on area waterbodies. The work contributes to the Fisheries Division’s goals and the agency’s mission through a variety of hatchery and fisheries-management responsibilities. The role involves fish production using extensive pond-rearing methods and intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), along with fish spawning, feeding, recordkeeping, sample counts, and documenting fish distribution throughout the state. It also includes fish-disease treatments, aquatic vegetation control, hatchery grounds and facility maintenance, water-quality assessment and laboratory work, and operation of fish-production and grounds-maintenance equipment. The employee will participate in public relations by providing hatchery tours and information to visitors. By assignment, the employee may lead temporary and volunteer staff. Fisheries management activities include fish-population monitoring with scientific sampling gear, aquatic habitat and angler-access enhancement projects, aquatic invasive species monitoring and management assistance, fish age-and-growth processing and analysis, and data entry. The employee may also work on interagency and intra-agency projects and other related duties as required or assigned. The position has an 8-hour workday and 40-hour work week, but many activities require work outside assigned hours and schedule adjustments. Work takes place indoors and outdoors in variable and sometimes adverse weather, including hot and cold wet conditions in and around water. The employee may work alone in remote locations, respond quickly to emergencies, work outside normal hours, and travel for short periods. State housing is provided and required. The employee must obtain an aquatic pesticide applicator’s license within the first year of hire.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, fish or wildlife management, or a closely related field of biological science; experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Acquire an aquatic pesticide applicator’s license within the first year of hire.
General knowledge of fish culture techniques and fisheries management.
Ability to operate, maintain, and repair vehicles, power tools, electrical instruments, scientific equipment, sampling gear, and fish hatchery equipment.
Organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects.
Ability to communicate effectively, follow instructions, and maintain records.
Ability to develop positive working relationships and work as a team member.
Ability to assemble, organize, and process data using recognized scientific techniques.
Ability to communicate fisheries concepts to diverse user groups and communicate effectively with the public.
Ability to be flexible and creative in response to changing circumstances and directives.
Ability to respond to facility requirements at any time, day or night.
Ability to lift and move 50 pounds.
Ability to work in hot and cold wet conditions in and around water, including alone in remote locations and outside normal work hours when needed.
Ability to travel for short periods for Commission goals and required training.

Responsibilities

Assist the Fish Production Manager with fish culture and aquatic programs.
Assist the Fisheries District Biologist with fisheries management activities on area waterbodies.
Conduct fish production using pond-rearing methods and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
Spawn and feed fish, maintain records, collect and perform sample counts, and document statewide fish distribution.
Perform fish-disease treatments and aquatic vegetation control as required.
Maintain hatchery grounds, including mowing, tree trimming, and tree removal.
Assist with maintenance of equipment, vehicles, buildings, grounds, and ponds.
Operate specialized equipment for water-quality assessment, chemistry, and laboratory work.
Operate fish-production and grounds-maintenance equipment, including motor vehicles, motorboats, mowers, tractors, backhoes, and welders.
Provide tours and information to visitors about hatchery operations and related Commission activities.
By assignment, serve as work leader for temporary and volunteer staff.
Monitor fish populations using scientific sampling gear.
Participate in aquatic habitat and angler-access enhancement projects.
Assist with aquatic invasive species monitoring and management.
Process and analyze fish age-and-growth information and enter data.
Participate in interagency and intra-agency projects and perform other assigned related duties.