Hatchery Worker

Imperial, CA

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Under general supervision, maintains district grass carp hatchery and other fish facilities operated by the district; performs routine and specialized duties such as spawning fish, triploidy induction and certifies fish ploidy using scientific equipment; releases fish in to canals, collects data on fish stocks and water quality parameters; summarizes data and prepares reports.

Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The examples of essential functions listed below are representative but not necessarily exhaustive or descriptive and the incumbent may be assigned other related functions not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment for the position.

Assists in the production (spawning) of triploid grass carp and stocks in district canal system and other waters, as directed.
Monitors and records hatchery pond water elevation, dissolved oxygen levels, water temperature and other water quality parameters to control fish environment and facilitate removal of brood stock grass carp, fry, fingerlings and stockable fish.
Maintains meters used to collect water quality parameters performing calibration checks as directed.
Collects fingerlings from ponds for certification with coulter counter and operates coulter counter when performing ploidy (sterility) testing of all grass carp.
Collects aquatic plants from canals and transfers to district fish facilities and feeds fish plant materials and pellet feed.
Inspects ponds, water pipes, air lines, filters and pumps to ensuring all are in operating condition and makes repairs as necessary.
Maintains hatchery grounds; installs and repairs bird netting over ponds.
Conducts hydrilla eradication and giant salvinia eradication efforts and manually removes salvinia and directs heavy equipment.
Observes and inspects fish for signs of diseases, administers treatment and monitors fish condition during and after treatment.
Assists in recovering fish (brood stock, fingerlings, stackable) from ponds and canals using seines, dip nets and tags, records length, weight, and condition.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assists in district efforts to raise other fish species, including but not limited to bonytail chub, razorback chub, desert pupfish, or other endanger species.
Assists in training of new and/or temporary employees, summer students and cooperating agencies in the performance of assigned duties.
Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES - None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

High school equivalency with supplemental courses in science and;

Experience

Two years fish hatchery, fish culture or related experience.

Licensing

A valid drivers' license issued by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge

Basic fish culture; maintenance of hatchery ponds and grounds; record keeping; scientific equipment.
Imperial County roads and highways; operation of hatchery facilities, general spawning techniques; functioning of irrigation canals; basic mathematics; and safe work practices and procedures.

Skills/ Abilities

Read, interpret and follow policy and procedure; take field measurements and records data; compile basic statistics summaries.
Operates a personal computer; performs heavy manual labor including working in canal water, mud, various soil conditions and adverse climatic conditions; calculate addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Understand oral and written instructions, correspondence and memos; communicate information in one-on-one situations to supervisors and other employees.
Read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; prepare written narratives; deal with problems using standardized situations, define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Prompt and regular in attendance; present information and respond to questions from supervisors, private agency representatives and the general public.
Communicate effectively and work courteously and cooperatively with employees.

Tools and Equipment Used

General office equipment; computer, assorted hand tools, reference books, inventory list, shovel, pitch fork axe, safety glasses, head and ear protection, gloves, rubber boots, plastic coveralls, nets, seine, coulter counter, weight scale, lancet, row boat, motor boat, oxygen cylinder and vehicle.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. in water, mud and different types of soils; exposed to dust, fumes or airborne particles; fish bleach, anesthetics, tricaine and methanesulfonate.
The employee occasionally is exposed to herbicides, insecticides, normal household cleaners, paints, paint thinner and pvc glue products; and fish hormones and medical treatment solutions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walkuse hands to finger, handle, feel objects or live fish, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms; stand and walk in mud, ponds and canals or water soaked soil, wearing protective boots or rubberized coveralls or dive booties.

The employee is frequently required to sit, climb and balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear; the employee is frequently required to push and pull materials and feed container; the employee is required to see while observing fish, read fish blood results, and conducting surveys.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and 70 pounds with the assistance of another employee.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Degree of Physical Effort - 6

An employee in this category will be exposed to physical demands requiring strength, coordination and dexterity from a few times a day to many times a day.

Hatchery Worker

The examples of essential functions listed below are representative but not necessarily exhaustive or descriptive and the incumbent may be assigned other related functions not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment for the position.

Assists in the production (spawning) of triploid grass carp and stocks in district canal system and other waters, as directed.

Monitors and records hatchery pond water elevation, dissolved oxygen levels, water temperature and other water quality parameters to control fish environment and facilitate removal of brood stock grass carp, fry, fingerlings and stockable fish.

Maintains meters used to collect water quality parameters performing calibration checks as directed.

Collects fingerlings from ponds for certification with coulter counter and operates coulter counter when performing ploidy (sterility) testing of all grass carp.

Collects aquatic plants from canals and transfers to district fish facilities and feeds fish plant materials and pellet feed.

Inspects ponds, water pipes, air lines, filters and pumps to ensuring all are in operating condition and makes repairs as necessary.

Maintains hatchery grounds; installs and repairs bird netting over ponds.

Conducts hydrilla eradication and giant salvinia eradication efforts and manually removes salvinia and directs heavy equipment.

Observes and inspects fish for signs of diseases, administers treatment and monitors fish condition during and after treatment.

Assists in recovering fish (brood stock, fingerlings, stackable) from ponds and canals using seines, dip nets and tags, records length, weight, and condition.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assists in district efforts to raise other fish species, including but not limited to bonytail chub, razorback chub, desert pupfish, or other endanger species.

Assists in training of new and/or temporary employees, summer students and cooperating agencies in the performance of assigned duties.

Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES - None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

High school equivalency with supplemental courses in science and;

Experience

Two years fish hatchery, fish culture or related experience.

Licensing

A valid drivers' license issued by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge

Basic fish culture; maintenance of hatchery ponds and grounds; record keeping; scientific equipment.

Imperial County roads and highways; operation of hatchery facilities, general spawning techniques; functioning of irrigation canals; basic mathematics; and safe work practices and procedures.

Skills/ Abilities

Read, interpret and follow policy and procedure; take field measurements and records data; compile basic statistics summaries.

Operates a personal computer; performs heavy manual labor including working in canal water, mud, various soil conditions and adverse climatic conditions; calculate addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Understand oral and written instructions, correspondence and memos; communicate information in one-on-one situations to supervisors and other employees.

Read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; prepare written narratives; deal with problems using standardized situations, define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Prompt and regular in attendance; present information and respond to questions from supervisors, private agency representatives and the general public.

​​​​​​​Communicate effectively and work courteously and cooperatively with employees.

Tools and Equipment Used

General office equipment; computer, assorted hand tools, reference books, inventory list, shovel, pitch fork axe, safety glasses, head and ear protection, gloves, rubber boots, plastic coveralls, nets, seine, coulter counter, weight scale, lancet, row boat, motor boat, oxygen cylinder and vehicle.

​​​​​​​WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. in water, mud and different types of soils; exposed to dust, fumes or airborne particles; fish bleach, anesthetics, tricaine and methanesulfonate.

​​​​​​​The employee occasionally is exposed to herbicides, insecticides, normal household cleaners, paints, paint thinner and pvc glue products; and fish hormones and medical treatment solutions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and 70 pounds with the assistance of another employee. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Degree of Physical Effort - 6

An employee in this category will be exposed to physical demands requiring strength, coordination and dexterity from a few times a day to many times a day.

Share This Job

Understand oral and written instructions, correspondence and memos; communicate information in one-on-one situations to supervisors and other employees.

Communicate effectively and work courteously and cooperatively with employees.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee occasionally is exposed to herbicides, insecticides, normal household cleaners, paints, paint thinner and pvc glue products; and fish hormones and medical treatment solutions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and 70 pounds with the assistance of another employee.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.