Fish Culturist

Job Description

Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for this position increased by 3%. The wage listed in this job posting reflects the increase.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.

Please check our

residency definition

to determine if you qualify.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish is recruiting

for a Fish Culturist 1 located in Anchorage at William Jack Hernandez Sportfish Hatchery!

What you will be doing:

Perform fish stocking operations by maintaining stocking trucks and transport equipment, loading and transporting fish, monitoring fish health and water quality during transport, and making operational decisions to ensure successful releases.

Assist with hatchery operations, including fish rearing, feeding, tank maintenance, fish transfers, growth sampling, egg collection activities, and fish health monitoring.

Support development and implementation of the annual statewide stocking plan by maintaining stocking databases and preparing and executing fish release schedules.

Provide information to the public at the hatchery and fish stocking locations by answering questions and promoting understanding of hatchery operations and sport fish enhancement programs.

Perform minor fabrication, equipment repair, and facility maintenance projects to ensure hatchery infrastructure, fish culture equipment, and grounds remain safe and operational.

Our mission, values, and culture:

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and well-being are prioritized. Employees at all levels are encouraged to cultivate a culture in which everyone is valued, respected, and equitably treated. The Division of Sport Fish employs fisheries enhancement programs to increase angling opportunities, offer diverse angling experiences, and alleviate fishing pressure on potentially sensitive wild stocks.

The primary means of achieving these objectives is through the rearing and release of fish from the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery.

The benefits of joining our team:

The William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery presents an opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated team of fish culturists and maintenance staff at one of the nation's largest and most technologically advanced recirculating aquaculture system facilities. The incumbent will have the chance to develop technical skills related to fish rearing and maintenance of fish transfer equipment, oxygen delivery systems, and water quality monitoring systems.

This position offers a flexible work schedule, which is highly dependent on the individual’s ability to work independently to accomplish goals and objectives.

The working environment you can expect:

This position is based at the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery, situated along the banks of Ship Creek in Anchorage. The work environment involves spending a significant portion of the day outdoors and/or on the hatchery production floor year-round to carry out stocking activities, maintain stocking and fish transfer equipment, and assist other fish culturists with fish culture duties.

Position may require regular outdoor work in inclement weather during summer and winter seasons.

During “primary stocking season” (May-June), position will require travel throughout Southcentral Alaska. This may include working long days (10 hours plus).

Position may require occasional overnight travel.

Position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Position requires the ability to bend, lift, and stand for long periods of time, and the ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.

We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

Uses a logical and systematic approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.

Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

Possesses knowledge of procedures for operating motor vehicles, including cars and trucks.

Possesses knowledge of the care and handling of fish…