Hatchery Manager

State of Oklahoma•Lawton, OK

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Fish Hatchery Supervisor or designated supervisor, this role supervises the operation of a state fish hatchery facility and directs the activities of employees engaged in cultivating fish to assure successful culture of an assigned number and species of fish. The position directs the collection, fertilization, incubating, feeding, sorting, transfer and distribution of various species. Responsibilities include maintaining proper pond conditions, guarding against diseases, and providing pest and weed control. The role also ensures hatchery grounds, buildings, and equipment are kept clean, orderly, and in good condition, and prepares and submits adequate, accurate records and reports on all phases of work.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, or closely related field.
Requires five years fisheries related experience, of which at least two years must be as a fish biologist with supervisory experience, and two years previous experience in fish culture.
Or a master’s degree in fisheries or wildlife management or related field and three years’ experience as a biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of fish and wildlife management.
Understanding of basic farming operations and equipment use and basic supervision principles.
Skills in exercising good judgement in analyzing situations and making decisions.
Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds for a distance of 100 yards.
Ability to push/pull a minimum of 50 pounds to hook up trailers, load boats, and various other equipment.
Ability to walk and jog over rough terrain for extended periods of time.
Must be able to swim.
Ability to work alone in remote areas.
Ability to endure various extremes of outdoor weather conditions.
Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and stay overnight out of town.
Ability to handle wild animals in live and dead condition, including field dressing wild game.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, work independently, and be professional and courteous with the public and other agencies.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in public speaking situations and express oneself clearly and concisely in writing.
Ability to operate and use small and hand held equipment and supplies.
Ability to use personal computer and various office equipment.
Ability to operate and use field traps, survey gear, and lab equipment.
Ability to conduct day/night audio and visual surveys.
Attach a copy of your official transcript to this application.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of supervisory techniques, personnel management, public relations, principals and techniques of warm water fish culture, production records accounting procedures and background in use of personal computers.
Skill in operation and maintenance of machinery, water quality instruments, farm implements and tools.

Responsibilities

Set goals for hatchery operations within the framework of general Division objectives.
Supervise and assign individual job duties for all hatchery personnel, including planning employee work schedules (daily, weekend, holiday, and vacation).
Determine the number and type of ponds available and schedule Hatchery operations to facilitate the production of assigned number and species of fish.
Prepare and submit an annual budget for supplies, materials, and equipment for the assigned Hatchery.
Ensure that all necessary supplies and equipment are available when needed and that they are kept in proper order and condition.
Supervise fish culture duties such as fertilizing ponds, treating ponds for vegetation control, treating and preventing disease in fish, stocking out brood fish, removal of spawn, hatching various species of fish, artificially spawning fish, and feeding fish.
Supervise the cleaning and sterilization of hatching jars, nets, seines, and all equipment and tools used in or near culture ponds and holding tanks.
Supervise the checking of pond water quality and inspection of fish in distress or signs of disease.
Supervise the collection of plankton samples from ponds, and check temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels.
Supervise general hatchery maintenance duties such as equipment maintenance and minor repair, maintenance of grounds and buildings, pond repair, painting, minor road repair, pump maintenance, and operation of simple farm machinery.
Supervise fish delivery to assigned stocking areas.
Coordinate work of the assigned hatchery with other division hatcheries, biologists, different projects in progress, other local, state, and federal agencies, civic groups, and other department divisions.
Integrate and/or time unify work of an assigned hatchery with other hatcheries or agencies, such as culturing a particular species of fish at more than one hatchery.
Establish and maintain performance standards for all job duties.
Maintain a great variety of accurate reports and records and submit them to supervisor on a predetermined schedule.
Take immediate corrective action when unsatisfactory conditions arise, submitting a written report to higher supervision if unable to alter such conditions.
Perform daily and routine duties normally performed by hatchery assistants during periods when hatchery employees are sick, on vacation, or during emergency situations.
Prepare and submit various reports and perform routine office duties.
May be required to be certified as a Reserve Officer to perform law enforcement duties a small percentage of time and participate in the inter-divisional training program.
May be required to perform other duties as assigned.
All Department employees may be on duty call 24 hours per day as determined by Division Chief/Head or Director.