Fish Culturist IV -Cle Elum

Fish Culturist IV

Yakima, Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP)

Department of Natural Resources

Location:
Cle Elum

Provide support to the hatchery manager in the operation and maintenance of fish hatcheries. Direct and monitor the work of subordinates and staff involved in all phases of the hatchery operation to achieve management goals. The Fish Culturist IV performs a variety of technical and team‑lead tasks associated with managing valuable fish stocks at the Upper Yakama Supplementation Complex, a spawning, incubation, rearing and research complex near Cle Elum.

The incumbent supports the Hatchery Manager in producing over 810,000 Spring Chinook annually. Responsibilities include collection and spawning of brood stock, incubation and egg handling, administering treatments, biological sampling, feeding, fish transport and release, operating and maintaining hatchery water systems and equipment, and supporting research activities and data collection.

• Provide support to management by scheduling the work of subordinates and assisting in trapping and selecting adult salmon for artificial spawning, egg collection, traying, shocking, counting, setting proper water flows, monitoring egg development and fish growth, and preparing tanks and ponds for receipt of fry or fingerling.
• Schedule transfers of fish to proper sites.
• Monitor water levels, follow feeding schedules, observe fish for presence of disease or parasites, and determine treatment to alleviate disease or parasite.
• Dissect dead or spawned‑out salmon to check for egg retention and take viral samples for disease analysis.
• Consult with supervisor to determine liberation schedules and may drive a liberation tank truck to scheduled sites.
• Establish proper feeding schedules to coordinate fish growth with pond availability and release dates.
• Assist management in planning production schedules.
• Collect, record, and report observation data; maintain activity logs; prepare periodic reports of activities and accomplishments.
• Determine proper levels of water quality such as dissolved gases, suspended solids, temperature, and pH; treat hatchery water as needed.
• Maintain genetic diversity through proper brood stock selection of the wild stock population.
• Assume responsibility for all hatchery operations in the absence of the Hatchery Manager, Assistant Manager, or Complex Foreman.
• Coordinate work with contractors on major equipment issues and work with onsite contractors for repairs and upgrades.
• Perform fish facility maintenance duties requiring welding, grinding, fabrication, and carpentry work.
• Perform Safety Officer duties on a routine basis.
• Coordinate with and assist management in project planning, setting goals, and adjusting priorities as conditions require.

• Knowledge of various types of salmonids, life histories, common fish diseases, and usual treatments.
• Knowledge of fish care habits and propagation of fish and fish eggs, including equipment and supplies needed for maintenance of buildings and grounds.
• Ability to operate and maintain machinery and equipment used in hatchery operations.
• Ability to assist in hatchery reports such as water permits and monthly progress reports.

• Minimum of a two‑year fish technology degree and three years of hatchery experience.
• One year of experience as a Fish Culturist III or Fish Technician III.
• Required to pass a pre‑employment drug test.
• Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation driving permit.
• Required to live on site, perform standby duties and respond to alarms.
• May be required to work variable hours, long days, early mornings, holidays, and weekends.
• Enrolled in Yakama preference program; all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.