Wildlife biologist

Full job description

Job ID: 27262
Agency: Department of Game, Fish and Parks - Wildlife Division
Location: Rapid City
Salary: $28.86 to $34.36 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GJ
Closing Date: 06/24/2024

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. For more information on the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, please visit

This position is stationed at Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery in Rapid City, South Dakota. Cleghorn Springs SFH produces multiple species of coldwater, coolwater, and warmwater fish in both flow-through and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The wildlife biologist - Production Specialist position at Cleghorn Springs SFH assists hatchery management with intensive fish production and stocking for recreational fish management throughout the state.

This position will:

• design and execute controlled experiments on intensive rearing techniques;
• read specific literature, trade journals, books, and other sources for use in intensive rearing components and rearing procedures, applied research, and manuscript preparation;
• create novel cost-saving solutions to intensive rearing problems;
• write scientific journal articles;
• present research results at local, regional, and national meetings;
• effectively network with other aquaculture professionals in academia, private industry, and other governmental agencies;
• initiate and maintain effective partnerships, particularly with hatchery staff in other states;
• train other hatchery staff on intensive rearing procedures, equipment, and remediation of potential problems;
• diagnose fish health issues, identify diseases and pathogens, and oversee therapeutic treatments;
• develop and document SOPs (standard operating procedures) for a variety of fish species at different life stages;
• quickly identify, troubleshoot, and rectify intensive rearing equipment and culture problems;
• identify, conduct, and oversee testing of the appropriate water chemistry parameters to maintain the water quality needed for successful aquaculture production;
• identify intensive rearing record keeping needs and develop appropriate and efficient record keeping systems;
• identify intensive rearing production capabilities;
• develop aquaculture production programming to best meet the statewide stocking request;
• direct hatchery volunteers, interns, and resource biologists during aquaculture production, experimentation, and record keeping;
• collaborate with other state fish hatchery technical staff on intensive rearing experimentation;
• prepare feed specifications and feed orders for production fish to evaluate novel feeds and feed ingredients.

This position will also conduct fish culture activities, including spawning, egg incubation, feeding, preparing feed projections and charts, completing fish inventories, and fish moving and stocking.

This position must understand and maintain recirculating aquaculture systems and variable frequency drive pumping systems.

This position must be able to:

• respond to hatchery alarm calls within 20 minutes at any hour of the day or night when scheduled is required;
• repeatedly lift 40lb nets of fish to shoulder height is required;
• lift 50lb feed bags to shoulder height;
• lift 60lb oxygen bottles onto stocking trucks;
• work indoors in wet, cold, and slippery environments;
• work outdoors in all weather conditions;
• travel out-of-town and overnight;
• work a non-standard schedule, including weekends when scheduled.

Licenses and Certifications:
Must possess a valid drivers license.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
A bachelor's degree or master's degree in aquaculture, biology, or a related field and at least 2 years of experience in fish culture in recirculating aquaculture systems and flow-through is preferred. Strong mechanical abilities to operate, troubleshoot, and repair aquaculture systems and variable frequency drive pumping systems is essential.

Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs, particularly Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint, is essential.

Knowledge of:

• fish culture techniques, specifically those relating to intensive production aquaculture;
• research, laboratory, and statistical methods as they relate to aquaculture;
• data analysis;
• effective written and verbal communication techniques;
• recreational fisheries management.

Skill to:

• maintain and repair variable frequency drive pumping operations and recirculating aquaculture systems;
• perform statistical analyses to ensure research findings are validated and documented;
• effectively write scientific journal articles;
• operate dissolved gas meter, pH meter, and calculate flow rates and analyze those reading as they relate to fish rearing conditions and the facilities discharge monitoring regulations;
• prepare for and make presentations on research to local, regional, and national meetings;
• effective interpersonal skills;
• buildings, grounds, and equipment trouble shooting and maintenance;
• operation of trucks, tractors, and small equipment.

Ability to:

• read and comprehend technical material;
• organize and maintain a variety of of data and records;
• organize and present information effectively and in a logical sequence;
• operate and manipulate electronic control systems;
• make decisions under pressure to ensure fish survival;
• lift 60 pounds to shoulder level repeatedly;
• perform chemical treatments on eggs and fish;
• work in wet, cold, and slippery conditions;
• work weekends and non-standard work hours;
• communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing;
• operate large trucks, skid steer, and other equipment;
• effectively interact with hatchery visitors;
• effectively communicate potential fish rearing problems to hatchery management;
• maintain positive relationships with hatchery partners and coworkers;
• establish and maintain effective relationships with coworkers, other agencies, and the public.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online:
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: Email:


"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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