Fish Farm Laborer

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Catfish.
This job requires a minimum of three months of prior agricultural experience, handling both manual and machine tasks. Experience operating a tractor is required. Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency.
Instructions and overall supervision and direction of workers will be provided by the Farm Manager. Workers hired pursuant to this labor certification must be able to comprehend and follow instructions of the Farm Manager and communicate effectively to supervisors and subordinates.

Work assignments will be made at the sole discretion of the employer conditional on unforeseen circumstances such as weather or other unscheduled/unexpected interruptions in regular work. Workers must perform the assigned work and may not perform duties not provided in this application, or work in areas not assigned without the specific authorization of the Farm Manager. The Fish Farm Laborer will be expected to perform any of the listed duties as assigned by the Farm Manager.

Experienced Fish Farm Laborers will: Prepare, repair and clean catfish hatchery for use prior to spawning season. Repair spawning containers and place into brood ponds as water temperature rises in the early spring. Check spawning containers by feeling inside container for any fish or spawns. Remove spawns from containers and deposit into aerated transport tank. Move spawns from the ponds to the hatchery where spawns will be prepared and placed into hatching troughs by acclimating eggs from pond environment to hatchery, picking eggs by hand, moving fry within hatchery, feed fry 12 to 18 times daily, clean hatching troughs by hand as needed, clean and disinfect hatching basket and troughs after every use, general hatchery cleanup. Assist with loading and transfer fry to nursery ponds via aerated transport tanks. Treat eggs for fungus and bacteria twice daily. After spawning, remove spawning containers and consolidate brood fish to holding ponds. Help with closing down hatchery and repair and clean catfish hatchery for use for the following year.

Experienced Fish Farm Laborers will also: Fertilize fry ponds by hand and with mechanized spreaders multiple times per day. Maintain pond and hatchery/shop areas by removing weeds, cutting grass, etc. Maintain barn areas by helping to clean and organize fish farming equipment. Maintain aeration equipment, as needed. Unload feed deliveries to farm and load feed daily on farm for feeding, as well as maintain feeding equipment. Feed fish using mechanized equipment daily. Deploy, repair, and maintain harvest equipment and nets. Harvest brood fish, fingerlings and food fish from ponds using mechanized seining equipment in a fashion standard to the industry from set up to completion; load fish into a live haul transport trailer(s), either for delivery to customers or for on farm movements; unload fish as needed on farm; monitor water temperature and oxygen levels using industry standard testing equipment daily/nightly; remove any remaining catfish from pond bottoms at pond draining by hand and place in hauling containers. Collect and remove any mortalities as needed through production season.

Workers must be able to work outside in 4 4.5 feet of water in catfish pond. Workers must be able to work on their feet in bent positions, stoop, reach and kneel for long periods of time. Workers must be able to lift 50 pounds to a height of 5 feet over the course of the work day. Work is to be done for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers ability to perform the job. Workers are exposed to wet weather early in the morning through the heat of the day. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop operations.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of three months of prior agricultural experience, handling both manual and machine tasks. Experience operating a tractor is required. Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 50 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required.