Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  00049260

Description Activated On:  12/19/2025 12:57:17 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. 

 Assist in the propagation, care, and stocking of fish species in numbers sufficient to meet fisheries management goals toward enhancement of fishing opportunities for the general public. Assist in maintaining facilities in an endeavor to maximize efficiency of propagation, care, and stocking.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Assist and perform a training level range of fish culture duties with some supervision and learn to operate a fish distribution unit. Learn to carry out assignments using independent judgment following approved procedures, tools, equipment and materials.

Duties/Activities:
To be trained in the behavior, habitat requirements and identification of common freshwater fish.
To be trained in performing technical computations, prepare clear and concise activity report and keep records.

Spawning:
To be trained in the collection and selection of brood stock and identify species, sex, and ripeness.
To be trained to handle fish in a manner to minimize stress, injury and mortality.
Learn how to measure, mix and administer anesthetics to brood stock.
To learn how to collect, fertilize eggs, enumerate eggs using standard calculating and sampling methods.
Learn to keep concise records of brood used, number of eggs per female, spawned date, total number of eggs collected

Egg Care:
Learn how to assemble, clean and set-up egg incubation equipment and repair if necessary and report condition to supervisor.
To be taught to measure and administer prophylactic and therapeutic medication/sanitizing agents and monitor water quality and flow.
To learn how to monitor water quality, flow, observe, record and/or report relative information.
To learn how to sample and calculate hatch percentage.

Care of Fish:
To learn how to inventory fry/fingerling, determine weight and number and record required data.
To be trained to clean culture units in a manner to minimize stress, avoid injury and introduction of disease factors.
To be trained how to set-up and maintain both inside tanks and outside raceways including appropriately sized screens to hold different sized fish.
To learn to recognize signs of fish disease, parasites and environmental stress and report problems to supervisor.
To learn how to measure and administer prophylactic and therapeutic medication/sanitizing agents and monitor effectiveness.
To learn how to set-up and operate a vehicle mounted feeding system and feed by hand.
To learn how to dispense proper amounts and sizes of feed according to management instructions, species and size
To learn to recognize appetite loss or needed feed adjustments and report.
To be taught to maintain accurate records of feed dispensation/fish growth/fish behavior.
Learn to assemble, set-up and operate grading equipment to sort fish size.
Learn to sort fish by species and/or size, by hand, using techniques minimizing stress or injury.

Transporting/Stocking Fish:
Learn to operate a fish-stocking vehicle in a safe and timely manner.
To learn how to know and perform required procedures prior to loading fish.
To learn to know and apply approved methods of loading and transporting fish of various size and species.
Learn to operate, clean and maintain a vehicle mounted fish life support system.
Learn to monitor fish and take necessary corrective action to deliver fish in excellent condition.
Learn to assist and advise stocking personnel of proper fish handling and release methods to avoid stress and injury.
Learn to maintain neat and accurate stocking and vehicle records.
Maintain appearance and conduct in accordance to current driver instructions and adhere to established standards for dealing with the public.

Fish Handling:
Learn to select correct crowding equipment for various size/species of fish as to minimize stress and avoid injury to fish.
Learn to repair, maintain and care for fish handling equipment.

Maintenance/Construction:
Assist in performing repairs and maintenance to buildings, equipment, and grounds.
Assist in the repair, operation and maintaining pumps, sprayers, agitators, aerators and water filter and treatment devices.
Learn how to repair, operate and maintain power equipment including but not limited to; mowers, snow removal equipment, pumps, chainsaws, tractors, backhoe, and trucks.

Miscellaneous Operational Requirements:
Learn how to carry out contingency plans for power failures, pump failure, flooding, toxic substances in water and other emergencies.

Necessary Special Requirement:
Must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License, and necessary special endorsements, that permits the operation of vehicles of 26,000 lbs. or more prior to completing the probationary period.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Employee to learn how to make emergency decisions needed to provide for the welfare of the fish in their care.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Possess a valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License.

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Class C Driver's License
 
2.   N/A
 
3.   N/A
 
4.   N/A
 
5.   N/A
 
6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
 
 1. Lift nets of fish, fish feed, tools, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds up to a height of five feet repeatedly.
 2. Work outside in inclement weather.
 3. Climb a ladder, steps, and navigate narrow catwalks and walkways.
 4. Operate in closed spaces.
 5. Travel offsite/travel overnight.
 6. Operate a motor vehicle for long distances.
 7. Perform simple math calculations.
 8. Maintain records and reports.
 9. Monitor and maintain hatchery conditions and equipment.
 10. Interact well with the general public and other employees to work as a team.