GAME AND FISH DEPT

Address:  1970 N Page Springs Road, Cornville, Arizona

Hiring Salary Range: $50,000 - $80,000 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 12/02/2024

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST SENIOR
“Aquatic Research and Conservation Center Hatchery Manager”
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION / RESEARCH BRANCH / CORNIVILLE, AZ BASED
FLSA-EXEMPT / SALARY GRADE 22 / HIRING SALARY RANGE $50,000 - $80,000
CLOSING DATE: 12/02/2024

This position serves as the on-site hatchery manager of the Aquatic Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), which specializes in research on native fishes supporting conservation efforts. Oversees daily operations and maintenance of the facility, including all aspects of fish care and propagation. Oversees daily facilities care and maintenance, equipment care, ordering and inventorying supplies. Assists in the planning and execution of facility enhancement or renovation projects, as needed. Monitors budget and expenditures for the facility and assists the Aquatic Research Program Manager in managing and optimizing facility budget. Supervises a Wildlife Specialist Level 1 (Fish Culturist) and possibly intern positions at the facility, including all aspects of recruitment, training, performance review, and mentoring. Supports research projects through logistical help, implementation and care of study fish.

Major duties will include:

FISH CARE AND PROPAGATION: Provides overall fish care and spawning techniques for fish on site. Produces and interprets feed charts, calculates fish feed needs and places feed orders. Diagnoses and treats fish diseases with therapeutic chemicals as necessary, in coordination with the Department fish health specialist. Stays current on fish diseases and parasites, diagnosis processes, and appropriate treatment methods.

MAINTENANCE OF HATCHERY FACILITIES: Maintains hatchery buildings, grounds, and support systems. Performs minor maintenance on vehicles and equipment. Operates vehicles for hatchery operations (ATVs, stocking trucks, fork lift, front-end loader, etc.). Designs and fabricate specialty tools/equipment and additions or modifications to hatchery equipment. Assists in the planning and execution of facility enhancement or renovation projects, as needed.

HATCHERY DUTIES: Cleans rearing ponds, tanks, and raceways, adjusts water flows, removes dead fish, checks water quality and quantity within the hatchery. Gathers, compiles, and analyzes fish culture data, size/weight of fish, and water quality data. Uses models to forecast refuge population sizes and collection needs. Communicates with federal and state managers to identify spawning priorities, desired production numbers, preferred stocking locations and times, and collection needs of the facility. Responsible for monitoring 24 hour facility alarms and required action in the event of an emergency.

SUPERVISION: Supervise a Fish Culturist I and possibly intern positions at the facility, including all aspects of recruitment, training, performance review, and mentoring.

RESEARCH SUPPORT: Supports research conducted at the facility, including facilitation of fish housing and treatments as specified in study designs. Assists with research projects as needed, including tagging, marking, and measuring fish. As needed, assists with development of research methods, including techniques for improving culture of endangered fish species. Serves as facility host for visiting scientists, and provides similar support for their research, as approved for the facility.

COORDINATION AND OUTREACH: Serves as the Safety Monitor for the facility. Participates in public outreach and education. Works as part of the larger Research Branch team to accomplish the branch’s goals and operational objectives which include, but are not limited to, outreach, training, and providing expertise and support to other work units in the Department.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Candidates must have skills/abilities of/in: Supervision and personnel management; Applying principles and techniques of fish biology, behavior, propagation, and care in an intensive culture setting. Identifying symptoms of disease/parasites in fish. Use detailed application techniques for medications and chemicals; Applying appropriate federal, state and agency laws, rules and regulations. Applying public relations and problem-solving techniques and applications to everyday work; Promoting positive interpersonal relationships with the public and staff. Communicating verbally and in writing; Use of basic computer applications; Use and perform basic maintenance and repair on a variety of hatchery-related vehicles, buildings, tools, and equipment.

The candidate must have the ability to: Communicate effectively through verbal and writing; Advanced problem solving abilities. Ability to learn quickly. Ability to make critical decisions using various information and with sound judgment; Ability to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships. Perform as a lead worker, work alone and with others, and ability to work self-supervised; Work varied hours and have the ability to respond to and coordinate response to 24-hr emergencies; The ability to lift 50+ lbs to chest height and/or carry heavy equipment for extended periods. Work indoor and outdoors in often harsh conditions.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in a wildlife science or closely related field and three years of experience in wildlife research or management or equivalent to a Hatchery manager.

Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required
training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Milani Barron at mbarron@azgfd.gov for assistance.