Assistant Hatchery Manager

The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game works to preserve the state's natural resources and people's right to conservation of those resources, as protected by Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. To carry out this mission, the Department exercises responsibility over the Commonwealth's marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife species, plants, and natural communities, as well as the habitats that support them.

 

MassWildlife is responsible for the conservation of freshwater fish and wildlife in the Commonwealth, including endangered plants and animals. MassWildlife restores, protects, and manages land for wildlife to thrive and for people to enjoy.

 

The Department of Fish and Game, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Hatchery Manager (Fish Culturist II). The position is assigned to the McLaughlin Fish Hatchery in Belchertown, MA.  
 

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached "as relevant" to the requisition.  
 

Working under the direction of the Hatchery Manager, the Assistant Hatchery Manager assists in the supervision and management of all hatchery operations at McLaughlin State Trout Hatchery and assumes full duties and responsibilities of the Hatchery Manager (Aquatic Biologist IV) in their absence.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent is the Assistant Manager of the McLaughlin State Trout Hatchery which annually hatches in excess of one million eggs, supplies fingerlings sufficient to meet fingerling requirements of the Sunderland and Bitzer Hatcheries and produces over 200,000 pounds of fish.

1. Assumes full duties and responsibilities of Hatchery Manager in their absence, to ensure continuity of operation;

2. Assists in the supervision and coordination of fish culture activities at the State Hatchery through the utilization of computerized environmental monitoring, state of the art stock production techniques and data analysis to optimize hatchery productivity;

3. Assists in maintenance of a brood stock program to provide eggs for state needs, as required;

4. Assists in the operation of hatching facility to provide sufficient trout stock to meet demand of state fisheries program;

5. Trains new labor or technical personnel to familiarize them with hatchery techniques and policies;

6. Under the supervision of the Fish Culturist, conducts on site disease investigations, and determines proper methods for collection, preparation and examination of biological samples to detect pathogens and initiate corrective measures; 

7. Treats bacterial diseases, and parasitic infestations, as instructed by supervisor, to mitigate fish losses;

8. Functionally oversees the maintenance of hatchery physical plant and water handling facilities such as, water filtration systems, ultraviolet water sterilizers, water transfer systems, flow measuring and telemetering devices, wastewater treatment and monitoring equipment, and ensures compliance with state and federal effluent standards;

9. Interviews and recommends candidates for employment;

10. Performs Employee Performance Review (EPRS) Evaluations for reporting staff to define their duties and promote good work habits;

11. Oversees 5-10 hatchery and district personnel during loading of stocking vehicle to ensure adherence to hatchery policies;

12. Enters data into a computer daily to maintain an up-to-date stockout database;

13. Supervises the construction, installation and use of predation control devises as instructed by supervisor, to reduce predation losses;

14. Monitors and maintains records of water flow through hatchery using computerized telemetering system, and troubleshoots / repairs system failures, to ensure the rate of flow is adequate to meet current demands;

15. Inspects and maintains records of emergency generator operation on a weekly basis to ensure normal hatchery function in case of purchase power loss;

16. Maintains security of hatchery and stock from trespassers after hours;

17. Available for standby duty as required to ensure normal operation of hatchery 24 hours a day;

18. Responds to emergency alarms promptly in all types of weather, and at any time of day or night, to evaluate the situation, correct cause of the alarm or summon assistance as required to restore normal operation;

19. Operates and performs/records periodic maintenance on hatchery equipment and vehicles;

20. Recommends purchase of supplies and equipment to Hatchery Manager to maintain adequate inventories;

21. Escorts tour groups through hatchery, explains operation and answers inquiries to promote good public relations;

22. Performs other tasks as required.

 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE (List knowledge's, skills, abilities)

1. Detailed knowledge of the characteristics, anatomy, and habits of fish;

2. Working knowledge of hatchery management and fish culturing techniques;

3. Knowledge of methods used in preparation of charts, graphs and tables, and the ability to perform basic arithmetic and statistical computations;

4. Ability to maintain accurate records;

5. Ability to gather information by examining records, documents, and publications;

6. Ability to prepare general and technical reports;

7. Ability to give oral and written instructions in a precise, understandable manner;

8. Ability to work independently;

9. Ability to deal tactfully with others;

10. Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relations with others;

11. Ability to exercise sound judgement, particularly in emergency situations;

12. Willingness to work while exposed to adverse or severe weather conditions;

13. Willingness to be subject to standby or call-back work status;

14. Willingness to work varied shifts, or irregular hours (weekends, holidays, etc.);

15. Willingness to participate in maintaining hatchery security;

16. Ability to supervise including, planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job, assessing the capabilities of subordinates and available resources, determining training needs of subordinate personnel and providing or arranging for such training, motivating subordinates to work effectively, determining needs for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action;

17. Ability to identify and treat diseases of fish;

18. Knowledge of the uses and dispensing of drugs and chemicals in the treatment of fish diseases;

19. Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of hatchery data to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations;

20. Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, etc. governing assigned unit activities;

21. Physical and mental capacity to handle all aspects of the position;

 

QUALIFICATIONS ACQUIRED ON JOB (List knowledge's, skills, abilities)

1. Increased knowledge of the above;

2. Knowledge of the laws, rules regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, etc. governing assigned unit activities;

3. Knowledge of the types and uses of agency forms;

4. Ability to use existing computer software to maintain records and monitor production.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.   Applicants must have at least (a) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional or technical experience in fisheries management, fish hatchery or fish culture work, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) or equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below .
Substitutions :
I. An Associate 's degree with a major in fisheries technology, wildlife technology, fisheries or wildlife management, marine science or fisheries, marine or wildlife biology may be substituted for one year of the required (A) experience.* II. A Batchelor's degree with a major in fisheries or wildlife management, marine science, or fisheries, marine or wildlife biology may be substituted for two years of the required (A) experience .*
III. A graduate degree with a major in fisheries or wildlife management, marine science, or fisheries, marine or wildlife biology may be substituted for the required experience .*
*Education towards such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

 

 

Comprehensive Benefits

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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.