Wildlife Specialist Supervisor Statewide "Fish Health Program Manager"

Job Details

Come join the Aquatics Team at AZGFD! Our Aquatic Wildlife Branch  has five primary programs and multiple sub-programs dedicated to the management and restoration of sport fish and native fish populations, a robust sport fish stocking program, operation and fish production at six hatcheries, assessment and enhancement of aquatic habitats, management and containment of Aquatic Invasive Species, fish health monitoring and analyses, and water quality monitoring and rapid response to water quality issues.

We are currently recruiting for the Fish Health Program Manager position, which will manage and supervise the state's fish health program. Responsibilities include  conducting fish health inspections and analyses, and verifying certifications at Department hatcheries and prior to importing, stocking, and/or transferring wild fish. Makes recommendations on treatment of diseases at hatcheries, coordinates medication requests with the Department veterinarian, and oversees treatments. Conducts eDNA analyses for aquatic invasive species identification or species of management interest. The position is the main point of contact for Arizona on all fish health concerns, questions, and informational needs, and works regularly with many other state, federal, NGO's, and private customers on jurisdictional and regulative fish health matters. Maintains AFS FHS Tier 1 laboratory certification. Establishes and maintains protocols and procedures following quality assurance and quality control guidelines. Reviews scientific publications pertinent to fish health to remain current on pathogens and testing methodologies. Supervises one employee.

Major duties may include:

●       Coordinate with other Department staff on prioritization and implementation of fish health activities.

●       Perform annual fish disease inspections of State Fish Hatcheries and wild fish populations and ARCC and subsequent analyses (virology, bacteriology, parasitology, molecular assays).

●       Establish and maintain protocols and procedures following quality assurance and quality control guidelines.

●       Diagnose disease epizootics in State Fish Hatcheries and in wild fish that live in Arizona waters.

●       Recommend changes to rearing methods, course of treatment (primarily chemical or medicated feed), to reduce/eliminate current diseases and to prevent future outbreaks.

●       Triploidy testing.

●       Serve as the key technical contact with the US Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife, Tribal governments, state agencies, and various partners to plan, develop and carry out all work and activities associated with the State Fish Health Laboratory.

●       Serve as a liaison with the State Veterinarian on fish health matters and egg importation requests.

●       Participate in national fish health activities and work groups.

●       Develop memorandums of understanding, Intergovernmental agreements, and cooperative agreements.

●       Develop and conduct eDNA sampling and testing for aquatic invasive species identification, fish species, amphibian, reptile detection, and confirmation of various fish pathogens (existing and exotic).

●       Establish criteria for determining positive or negative results. Establish and maintain protocols and procedures following quality assurance and quality control guidelines.

●       Provide recommendations to Department staff for the importation and stocking of fish.

●       Review associated health certificates for completeness and accuracy.

●       Maintain a process for internal review of proposed fish or egg importations.

●       Attend, participate and present research at professional meetings and training workshops.

●       Review scientific publications pertinent to fish health to remain current on pathogens and testing methodologies.

●       Works to maintain AFS FHS certification as a Quality Assurance/Quality Control approved laboratory.

●       Prepare correspondence, briefing memorandum, reports, presentations, publication, and policy, rule and legislation recommendations at a statewide level.

●       Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

The candidate will have knowledge of personnel management/supervision rules/regulations; interpersonal relations techniques; strategic planning processes and application; budget administration; federal, state and local agency role and function relative to wildlife management; aquaculture; southwest ecosystems; fisheries biology and ecology; application of management and conservation principles/concepts; frog and snake biology, ecology and management; fisheries and aquaculture investigation techniques and collection procedures; analysis and interpretation of field collected data; water quality and habitat requirements; scientific grammar and writing techniques; correspondence; vehicle, watercraft and other equipment operation, safety and maintenance; environmental compliance procedures; NEPA, ESA, mitigation development and reporting; Endangered Species Act regulations and policies; in fish diseases, immunology and genetics. The candidate will be skilled in decision-making; oral, verbal, and written communications; organization; time management; data gathering and techniques in field and laboratory setting; multitasking; molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, and parasitology and associated laboratory equipment. The candidate will have the ability to adapt to constantly changing priorities and work assignments; negotiate; organize, plan for and coordinate complex projects; engage internal and external partners; work independently or in a group environment; demonstrate leadership and promote a positive work environment.

The preferred candidate will have: Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine (DVM), American Fisheries Society (AFS) certified Fish Health Pathologist, and/or AFS certified Aquatic Animal Health.

Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, microbiology, molecular biology or similar is required.

 Employment is also contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

 If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked or suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

Contact Information