Fish Culturist

Fish Culturist I

Within the Department of Environmental Management, to participate in the culture, maintenance and distribution of cool water, warm water and anadromous hatchery fish; to spawn and monitor development of eggs and fry, and to implement feeding schedules required for specified growth rates; and to do related duties as required.

Works under the general supervision of a superior who makes general and specific assignments; work may be reviewed for conformance to federal and state laws, regulations and departmental policies. Usually none; as needed, may provide guidance to seasonal employees and interns.

Illustrative examples of work performed:

• Within the Department of Environmental Management, to participate in the culture, maintenance and distribution of cool water, warm water and anadromous hatchery fish.
• To spawn and monitor development of eggs and fry, and to implement feeding schedules required for specified growth rates.
• To participate in netting, sorting, grading, weighing, feeding, egg handling, sampling, inspecting, extracting, fertilization, hatching, testing, incubating and rearing practices and procedures.
• To participate in fish stocking and to track hatchery inventory of various species.
• To help in maintaining records and contributing to reports, documenting hatchery activities such as fish diseases, treatments, and production studies.
• To perform semi-skilled construction and maintenance work in the hatchery buildings and grounds.
• To maintain all fish rearing structures and buildings as well as to perform landscaping tasks, road repairs, snow plowing, repair of hatchery equipment, and maintain safety equipment and facility structures.
• To load and stock fish as instructed.
• To participate in educational and/or outreach programs for the Division; to conduct tours and educate the public as necessary.
• To provide guidance to seasonal employees and interns as required.
• To do related work as required.

Required qualifications for appointment:

Knowledge, skills, and capacities: A working knowledge of aquaculture and the growing and maintaining of fish; a working knowledge of hatchery operations, policies and regulations dealing with the maintenance and distribution of fish in State waters; a working knowledge of fish culture operations and techniques; a working knowledge of maintaining and documenting hatchery activities; a working knowledge of various species of cold water, warm water and anadromous species including trout and Atlantic salmon;

a working knowledge of the state laws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles; the ability to follow directions, procedures, and schedules as assigned; the ability to operate heavy motorized equipment the ability to make ordinary emergency repairs to the motorized equipment; and related capacities and abilities.

Education and experience:

Such as may have been gained through: an Associate's Degree in fish culture, fisheries and/or a related discipline; and at least one (1) year of employment in fish production and/or a related discipline. Or any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Special requirements:

At the time of appointment (or as specified) and continually thereafter:

1. Must be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidence by a physician's certificate. Must be capable of lifting heavy loads of 50+ lbs.

2. Within six (6) months of appointment, must possess and maintain a Hoisting License issued by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.