Fish Culturist

General Overview:
Gunnuk Creek Hatchery is a private non-profit hatchery located in the village of Kake, Alaska and operated by Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA), providing increased fishing opportunities for the common property fisheries of Northern Southeast Alaska. Gunnuk Creek Hatchery was shut down in 2014 due to a foreclosure by the State of Alaska under previous owners and purchased by NSRAA in 2017. Since purchase NSRAA has worked to modernize the hatchery fabricating and installing a modern recirculating aquaculture system and water treatment facility. 2019 marked the first year since purchase that NSRAA was able to incubate chum salmon fry at Gunnuk Creek Hatchery. The facility produces and releases 20 million chum fry for broodstock. Additionally, Gunnuk Creek oversees the Southeast Cove remote site that releases 45 million chum per year.

Qualifications:
BS degree in a fisheries/aquaculture-related field, or two-year Associates Degree in an aquaculture-related field; minimum of 9 months fish culture experience. The preferred candidate will have a background in fish culture techniques and methods which will include, but will not be limited to: fry and smolt rearing, brood stock handling, hatchery incubation operations, fish disease prevention and recognition, gamete collection, data collection and recording methods. Candidates must be willing and able to live and work cooperatively in creating a positive environment among other staff and temporary employees in a rural, tight-knit community, where good communication skills are essential. Additionally, sound physical fitness is necessary due to the physical component of hatchery work (i.e., ability to carry 50 pounds for distances up to 100 yards). Demonstrated experience handling small boats is required, along with a willingness to develop a working knowledge of knots and rigging.

Duties/Responsibilities:
Gunnuk Creek’s Fish Culturist works under the direction of hatchery management and will share responsibility for the oversight and performance of all aspects of hatchery-related fish culture operations. The Fish Culturist will provide supervision, direction, and leadership to all employees, and will be expected to actively participate in facility development and management. This position will require the operation of hatchery-related equipment: forklifts, chainsaws, power tools, brush cutters, snow blowers, egg sorters, fish counters, fish pumps, and other associated apparatus. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an understanding of the hatchery’s water system, including the water collection process, water routings, and associated emergency procedures. It will be required that the successful applicant live on site in private, company provided housing, this is to assure adequate personnel on-site for emergency response purposes.

Salary and Compensation:
Competitive salary range for this position will fall within the range provided ($4,258 through $5,204 per month, dependent upon experience). Additional benefits include: housing and utilities, medical/dental insurance, annual/sick leave accrual and a 401(A) program available after a 2 year vesting period.

This position has potential for promotion to a management level after demonstrating sufficient expertise in fish culture and various practical skills necessary to oversee a hatchery.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $51,096.00 - $62,451.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Supplemental Pay:

• Bonus opportunities

Work Location: In person

Salary : $51,096 - $62,451