Fish Farm Worker (45-2093.00)

Job description

Fish Hatchery workers will be performing various activities associated with Fish Hatchery Labor. These activities will be
performed exclusively in an outdoor environment. Employees will perform any combination of the following tasks to trap and
spawn fish, incubate eggs, and rear fry in fish hatchery: Secures net on both side of pond to divert fish to holding pond. Catches ripened fish from holding pond with hand net and squeezes or slits bellies of female fish to release eggs in pail. Squeezes bellies of male fish to form milt over eggs and stirs with rubber gloved hand to fertilize eggs. Fill hatchery trays with fertilized eggs and places trays in incubation troughs. Turns valves and places baffles in troughs to adjust volume, depth, velocity, and temperature of water. Inspects eggs and picks out dead, infertile, and off-color eggs using suction syringe. Sorts fish according to size, coloring, and species and transfers fingerlings to rearing ponds or tanks, using buckets or tank truck. Scatters food over surface of water by hand or activates blower that automatically scatters food over water to feed fish. Observes appearance and actions of developing fish to detect diseases and adds medications to food and water is instructed by supervisor. Transfers mature fish to rivers and lakes, using tank truck. Records field data and prepare reports of hatchery activities. Drains and cleans ponds and troughs, using brushes, chemicals, and water. Workers may help catch fish and pack for market. Makes minor repairs to hatchery equipment, paints buildings, and maintains grounds. May spawn and rear food fish or tropical and exotic fish for commercial use. Workers may mark migrating fish with liquid nitrogen, using hand-operated branding device. Makes minor repairs to hatcher equipment paints buildings and maintains grounds. Workers will be checking oxygen levels in fishponds using oxygen meters provided by employer. Workers will maintain levees with movers and weed eaters. Workers will perform general maintenance on equipment and aerators. Workers are required to wade into ponds, up to their waist to perform some of the duties listed in this order. Workers will stand on feet in fields for long periods of time. Workers will be required to work when ground is wet with dew or rain Temperatures during working hours can range from thirty (30) degrees to over one hundred (100) degrees.

General Maintenance: Workers will be responsible for performing general maintenance around the farm. This will include fence mending, mowing, and weeding eating. Workers will repair and paint buildings to ensure they are in good repair.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Work begins at assigned time usually shortly after daylight. Work is performed during light rain and in high humidity and in temperatures ranging from 100 (+) degrees to 30 degrees. Workers will work on their feet in bent, stooped, and crouched positions for long periods of time. Workers will make fast, simple, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists. Workers must be able to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs. Workers will use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects. These could/will weigh 50 lbs. Workers will supply their own work clothes. All the tasks in this Job Description constitute one (1) job; the employer may assign workers to different tasks on any day or to multiple tasks during the same day in the sole judgment of the employer. Workers may be required to perform work on the farm that is incidental to farming the crops listed in the application, such as performing weeding making minor repairs to hatchery equipment, paint buildings, and maintain grounds, may operate tractors and bush hogs on an incidental basis, etc. Workers may be required to work with livestock. This is a very demanding and competitive business in which quality specifications must be rigorously adhered to. Sloppy work cannot and will not be tolerated.

Special Requirements

All applicants must have at least 3 months experience working in a fish hatchery. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers operating comparable operations establishing acceptable previous experience. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject to random drug testing at no cost to the employee. All drug testing will occur after the worker begins his or her employment and is not a part of the interview process. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.