Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To perform skilled technical duties as a member of a multi-disciplinary team delivering the provincial fish culture program, and assisting Districts/Regions/Great Lakes Units with the delivery of integrated resource management programs.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Under the general supervision of the Fish Culture Station (FCS) Manager performs a variety of highly skilled technical functions by:
1. Conducting and monitoring fish culture activities to ensure optimum rearing conditions are met, e.g., water chemistry analysis, monitoring fish health.
2. Carrying out all daily fish culture activities from egg collection and incubation through to yearling production, including brood stocks, to ensure the clients' specifications are achieved.
3. Planning and implementing fish culture projects as required (e.g., egg collections, inventories, fish and egg transfers, fish distribution, etc.) to meet assigned station targets.
4. Detecting/correcting abnormal conditions in station operations that may impact fish health, production objectives and/or other station operations (e.g., reduced flow, abnormal fish behaviour) and reporting conditions to the Operations Coordinator.
5. Operating and maintaining highly technical equipment such as water quality monitoring instruments, water process and control system equipment, fish handling and marking equipment.
6. In consultation with the Operations Coordinator, ensuring appropriate fish health management protocols are implemented (e.g., calculating and administering treatments for hatchery fish using appropriate drugs/chemicals, and operating isolation/quarantine units).
7. Performing data entry and analysis on computer (e.g., inventories, growth projections, feed orders/schedules), creating spreadsheets, preparing technical reports and/or plans based on the collection of fish husbandry related data (i.e., Monthly Fish Culture Summaries, growth reports, experimental results, etc.).
8. Ensuring final preparations are made with district staff for stocking; transferring fish to designated public water bodies or to secondary units (e.g., aircraft/snowmobile/boat) for distribution, assuring fish condition and survival during distribution.
9. Keeping abreast of current developments in fish culture, and of accepted, modern techniques and practices.
10. Participating in team to develop and implement station goals and objectives.
11. Meeting individual target assignments to assist in fulfilling station objectives.
12. Recommending incorporation of innovations, techniques and practices to improve efficiency and/or quality assurance at the fish culture station.
13. Providing leadership and technical direction to new employees (classified and unclassified), non-technical services, contractors, etc. as required.
14. Integrating with Great Lakes Units/Districts/Areas to facilitate fish culture program delivery.
15. Being responsible for facility care, control and security as assigned (e.g., weekends, holidays, emergencies).
16. Participating in public services functions (e.g., conducting tours).
17. Participating in cross-program projects involving Districts/Areas, Great Lakes Units, Assessment Units, and/or other units involved.
18. Performing routine and as required inspections/tests and maintenance of facilities (plant and grounds) and equipment.
19. Designing/constructing/modifying fish culture equipment to assist with facility efficiency or worker safety.
20. Serving as facility representative at meetings or on committees (e.g., Occupational Health and Safety Committee).
21. In the absence of the Operations Coordinator, referring all contentious or serious issues to the FCS Manager.
22. Performing a variety of functions/services for MNR district/area offices and external agencies (e.g., data collections, integrated programs).
23. The incumbent shall, while in the workplace conduct themselves in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, any workplace practices as directed by the FCS Manager and/or Operations Coordinator and in accordance with IRS as outlined in the OH&S Act.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid MTO Class G driver's license. Ability to obtain Class "D" licence with a Z endorsement where the Fish Culture Station has such a class of vehicle.

Knowledge :

Working knowledge of fish culture techniques including relevant policies and procedures.
Working knowledge of operation and maintenance procedures specific to fish culture stations.
Good understanding of the role of fish culture in the overall fisheries management program.
Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and associated safety regulations.

Skills :

Practical work experience with computers and spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
Good analytical, problem solving, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to meet essential physical demands of the position as reflected in the physical demands analysis.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within Ministry and Government legislation, policies, guidelines, directives, and established protocols and procedures to meet overall production targets.
Position has latitude to choose and carry out fish culture techniques and husbandry practices according to the accepted standards established at the fish culture station.
Position has latitude for decision making as it pertains to the operation and maintenance of the fish culture facility.
Work products and progress towards the achievement of products/targets are monitored regularly by the Operations Coordinator.