Neets Bay Hatchery Manager

Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA)

SSRAA’s mission is to enhance and rehabilitate salmon production in southern Southeast Alaska to the optimum social and economic benefit of salmon users.

SSRAA is seeking a qualified and motivated professional to serve as Hatchery Manager at our Neets Bay Hatchery. Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Hatchery Manager is responsible for directing all aspects of hatchery operations. Neets Bay is a remote, multi-species salmon hatchery located approximately 30 air miles north of Ketchikan, Alaska. The facility integrates both freshwater and saltwater fish culture and operates year-round with a permanent staff of 8–10 employees and a seasonal staff of 6–8.

The Neets Bay facility cultures approximately 140 million chum salmon and 3.2 million coho salmon annually. This is a remote position requiring year-round, on-site living in furnished rental housing. Utilities are provided. Remote-site benefits include, but are not limited to, weekly mail and supply flights, satellite internet access, and monthly hotel accommodations in Ketchikan. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills and the ability to foster positive working relationships across the organization while mentoring and developing staff. Qualifications include a solid foundation in hatchery operations, demonstrated experience successfully leading and supervising personnel, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a knowledge of facility and equipment maintenance. A minimum of four years of experience in production-scale hatcheries, including experience at the assistant manager level or higher, is required. A two-year degree in fish culture or a related field is preferred; relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. 

SSRAA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance, as well as a competitive retirement plan. SSRAA is an equal opportunity employer.  This posting will remain open until filled. 

Department: Production

FLSA Status: Exempt Salary

Reports to: Operations Manager

Location: Neets Bay

Summary of Position: Under the supervision of the Operations Manager the Neets Bay Hatchery Senior Manager directs all aspects of hatchery operations at the Neets Bay Hatchery. Neets Bay is SSRAA’s largest hatchery. A remote, multi-species facility incorporating both freshwater and saltwater fish culture with a permanent staff consisting of two assistant managers, maintenance supervisor, three fish culture positions, two maintenance positions and up to eight seasonal staff.      

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Directs the freshwater and marine fish culture programs to meet or exceed the production goals for each species as presented in the annual management plan.
• Prepares the operations and capital budgets for the hatcheries and is responsible for the most efficient disbursement of those funds to accomplish production goals.
• Develops and maintains a well trained staff that is proficient in modern salmon culture techniques and duties and to be responsible for directing and evaluating facility personnel and their safety.
• Prepares and submits monthly reports for the facility listing status of inventory by brood year, species, rearing type, mortality, growth rate compared to expected and feed conversions.
• Submits and Coordinates annually a list of construction and maintenance requirements of the facility and equipment.   
• Initiates and/or coordinates with SSRAA staff or outside entities to test or improve upon fish culture and hatchery techniques to maintain a high level of innovation for the hatchery and other SSRAA programs. 
• Coordination with outreach and tourism contract operations
• Coordination with cost recovery operations
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities Required:

• Minimum of an Associates degree in fisheries, aquaculture or related field.
• Minimum four years work history in production scale Pacific Salmon culture. 
• Demonstrated work history in fisheries, aquaculture or related field with management experience 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Working knowledge of budgeting processes.
• Experience in thermal marking.
• Knowledge of local fisheries and hatchery enhancement
• Experience with public speaking, outreach and/or tourism

Preferable, but not required skills and experience:

• Understanding of maintenance and construction including mechanical, electrical, carpentry and plumbing.
• Ability to assist in the maintenance and development of the sites.
• BS in fisheries, aquaculture or related field.
• Four years or more of previous managerial experience

Core Competencies:

• Belief in SSRAA’s mission statement.
• Must be able to multi-task, coordinate with fellow employees, outside individuals and entities.
• Must be able to recognize critical components of a process and adapt as needed.
• Ability to work as a team or individually, be a problem solver and build consensus.
• Maintain confidentiality when appropriate.
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Must be able to identify and manage risk, develop and adhere to safety protocols

Reporting to this position: Permanent staff of up to ten and seasonal staff up to eight.

Physical demands: Often work in cold, wet conditions. Ability to lift in excess of 50 pounds and do strenuous physical and mental activities. Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Many fish culture related jobs require repetitive motions, awkward positioning and immersion of hands in cool/cold water. 

Work environment: Must be able to work in inclement weather and be capable of responding to alarm situations at any time, will occasionally require work on holidays and weekends, and will require occasional travel. Position requires living on site.   

SSRAA is a growing organization changing as needed to best address its goals. Any description of work is a picture of the major responsibilities of a position at a given point in time. Jobs are dynamic and assignments/priorities may change. This position description is not intended or implied to be an employment contract but is a communication tool to explain the responsibilities, advertise the job, and identify performance measures and potential training needs. SSRAA is an at-will employer.