Wildlife/Fish Specialist 1 Working Title: Fish Health Program Coordinator

Code: GF01-15565

Released: 5/7/2009 - Closes: 'til Filled

Location: Laramie

Wildlife/Fish Specialist 1 Working Title: Fish Health Program Coordinator

Code: GF01-15565

Released: 5/7/2009 - Closes: 'til Filled

Location: Laramie

Pay: FULL HIRING RANGE: $3727.00 - $5229.00 Per Month AGENCY HIRING RANGE: $3,727.00 - $4,546.00 Per Month

Note:

NOTE: Must be currently certified by the American Fisheries Society (AFS) as an Aquatic Animal Health Inspector. The Fish Health Program Coordinator will be expected to obtaining a Fish Health Pathologist certification from the AFS (unless holding an advanced degree; i.e. a PhD and/or DVM) within a reasonable time period. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will assist with the cost of certification. Must have a valid drivers license. NOTE: If you had applied for recruitment number GF01-15361, you do not need to reapply.

Responsibilities:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Under the direction of the Laboratory Director; plan, coordinate, and execute the fish disease prevention and control program for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The person in this position will be required to closely coordinate and communicate program activities with the Laboratory Director and Division Administrators to provide legally mandated veterinary disease inspections for the Departments state hatcheries, free-ranging brookstocks, quarantine units and private aquaculture facilities in the state. The Fish Health Program Coordinator will be required to consult and advise Fish Division administration, hatchery superintendents, and fish culture personnel on fish health concerns and testing results to minimize disease impacts and to prevent the spread of pathogens. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Plans and conducts regulatory veterinary/fish health inspections and laboratory testing for commercial and state owned hatcheries. Oversees fish disease sampling and testing work including; reviewing and updating regulatory testing guidelines, reviewing fish health inspection reports for interstate movement of fish, traveling extensively to fish culture sites to perform necropsies and collect tissue samples, performs laboratory bacterial and viral assays as well as parasitological examinations. Will also provide all aspects of veterinary diagnostic services for investigating fish disease problems and fish kills at hatcheries and for field operations. Will be required to perform the appropriate diagnostic tests to determine the cause of fish disease or death and makes chemotherapeutic recommendations to hatchery managers. Will conduct in-service training for the purpose of educating hatchery and fish managers about proper fish disease prevention and control strategies. The Fish Health Program Coordinator will represent the interests of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at National fish health policy meetings and is required to network nationally with other fish health professionals to determine disease status of fish stocks and to establish standardized sampling protocols. Provides documentation and diagnostic reports to Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologist and the general fishing public. Provides recommendations to fish staff, biologist, and hatchery owners regarding chemotherapy, habitat modification, changes in water chemistry, and biological control measures when appropriate. Provides lab and field services for statewide fish disease studies. This include; parasite surveys, bacterial studies, fish aging studies, overseeing work on collection and identification of aquatic nuisance species, writing fish disease articles and publications, lecturing and teaching fish disease classes to university students and Wyoming Game and Fish employees, writes grant proposals, organizes and summaries disease data for administrative staff reports. Communicate on weekly basis with regional and national fish health professionals on fish health and aquatic nuisance species concerns.

Minimum Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a bachelors degree in wildlife management, range management, biology, zoology, ichthyology or closely related field, PLUS seven years of professional work experience in wildlife or fish resource management, research or habitat development, enforcement of wildlife laws and regulations, OR a masters degree in wildlife management, biology, zoology, ichthyology, range management or closely related field, PLUS five years of professional work experience in wildlife or fish resource management, research or habitat development enforcement of wildlife laws and regulations.

Skills:

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Proficiency in the disciplines of microbiology, bacteriology, parasitology, histology, virology, mycology and epidemiology. Essential skills include competency in oral and written communication as well as having the ability to speak effectively and effectively when communicating with other personnel; within and outside of the laboratory and Department. Competency in the use of chemicals and hazardous materials is required. Working knowledge of the American Fisheries Society Bluebook and the ability to use these procedures and protocols to perform legally mandated veterinarian aquatic animal health inspections are necessary. Ability to compile and analyze test data, write reports and drive a state vehicle long distances for sample collection and inspection work.

Application Information:

APPLICATIONS: For more information or to apply online go to http://statejobs.state.wy.us/JobSearchDetail.aspx?ID=15565 or submit a State of Wyoming Employment Application to the Human Resource Division, Emerson Building, 2001 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0060, Phone: (307)777-7188, Fax: (307)777-6562, along with transcripts of any relevant course work. The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities. No notice of eligibility will be sent to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. DATE RELEASED: 05/07/2009

As an EEO/ADA employer, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.