Fish Culturist

Overview

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking an entry-level Fish Culturist to support fish production and hatchery operations that contribute to Wyoming’s sport fishing opportunities and native fisheries restoration programs. This position is responsible for the care, propagation, and rearing of fish at all life stages within a state fish hatchery. Duties also include maintaining hatchery facilities, equipment, rearing units, station housing, and surrounding grounds to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations.

The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, dependable, and interested in fisheries management, aquaculture, and conservation. This role offers hands-on experience in fish culture and hatchery operations while supporting statewide fisheries programs.

• Responsible for producing fish for sport fishing programs and native fish restoration.
• Fish egg care and shipment, feeding and thinning fish, cleaning fish rearing facilities, fish distribution to other fish culture stations or stocking sites, and assisting in captive and wild spawning operations outside of the facility.
• Utilize and improve fish culture techniques to spawn, propagate, and distribute quality fish to meet statewide needs.
• As a member of the Statewide Response team, actively assist with statewide fish distribution trips requiring overnight travel at times.
• Operate various fish distribution units, including a 300-gallon pickup tank, 650-gallon tank truck, large single and tandem axle diesel tank trucks requiring a commercial driver's license.
• Assist in facility and equipment maintenance and upkeep.
• Participates in daily facility maintenance, including buildings, grounds, and rearing units.
• Keep accurate daily records, prepare monthly reports, and assist in station planning as delegated.
• Assists in the calculation and application of chemicals for bio-security management, fish disease prevention, and treatment.
• Maintain good public relations not only concerning fish but on a variety of department-wide topics.
• Conducts tours and interacts with the public, both on and off the assigned work station.
• Assists other Game and Fish work units, which may require travel and staying away from home overnight.
• Attend meetings, seminars, and various training to keep up with department and fish culture issues and technology.
• Keep abreast of Department and State policies and procedures.
• Supervises a limited-time contract position occasionally.

PREFERENCES/AGENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Preference may be given to those with a bachelor's degree in wildlife management, range management, biology, zoology, or ichthyology.
• Preference may be given to those with one year of professional work experience in fish culture or a related field in fisheries.
• Agency requires that the successful candidate have a valid driver's license and must obtain a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within six months of employment.

• Knowledge of proper fish culture techniques in spawning, egg handling, fish rearing, fish stocking and brood stock management.
• Knowledge of fish biology, fish physiology, and water chemistry parameters.
• Knowledge of State statutes, Department regulations and policies, and fiscal procedures.

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  
  Bachelor s Degree (typically in Fish or Wildlife Biology)
• EXPERIENCE:
  
  0-2 years of progressive work experience (typically in Fish or Wildlife Biology)
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
  Required to have a valid driver s license.
• Education & Experience Substitution: 3-5 years of progressive work experience (typically in Fish or Wildlife Biology) with a valid driver s license.

• Ability to work in cold and wet conditions in and around water.
• Ability to lift fifty pounds.
• Once a CDL is obtained, the Department of Transportation medical exam is required to be maintained for employment.

• FLSA:
  Exempt
• Successful applicants for employment must pass a background check prior to appointment.
• The current vacancy is located at the Clarks Fork Hatchery; additional locations may become available.
• Housing is provided for this position at no cost to the employee.

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Other The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Working for the State of Wyoming means more than a job — it’s a stable, rewarding career that lets you make a difference while enjoying a great quality of life.