Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Fish Health Specialist)
ODFW
Application
Details
Posted: 09-May-22
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Type: Full Time
Required Education: DVM or equivalent
Salary: $4,552.00 - $6,964.00 Monthly
Categories:
Government/Military
Occupation:
Other
Species:
Aquatic
Salary Details:
Find information on State of Oregon benefits: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Benefits.aspx
Internal Number: REQ-96425
Natural Resource Specialist 3, Fish Health Specialist at Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
What you will do:
Promote health, employ preventative measures, and determine cause of mortality and recommend treatment to fish populations being managed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).
Investigate fish disease and determine causes of mortality of fish in hatcheries. Perform diagnostic necropsies and medical exams on fish to determine health status. Identify anatomical abnormalities and clinical signs of disease. Collect samples for diagnostic purposes. Interpret laboratory analysis to infer disease/pathogen presence. Communicate recommendations to hatchery staff to mitigate disease and promote optimum health based on diagnostic tests. Perform health exams and inspections on wild fish as needed by biologists for transportation or to investigate loss.
Prepare written reports and communicate reports to co-managers and interested parties within and outside of ODFW. Attend professional meetings and present papers when appropriate.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.
Working Conditions
Frequent travel to fish hatcheries or streams in western Oregon sometimes during adverse winter conditions to conduct fish health examinations. Each site is visited monthly. Must respond to emergency fish loss situations, on rare occasions need to travel weekends. Must be able to safely handle hazardous chemicals in the laboratory and lift adult salmon. Some overnight in-state travel may be required.
Requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day. This includes working the possibility of working at all hours and workdays in excess of eight hours. Position is not eligible for overtime.
We are seeking applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and have the following skills and experience:
Minimum Qualifications:
• Three years of experience in the fish health specialist field or a closely related field with knowledge of chemical, microbiological, virological and parasitology principles, microbiological laboratory techniques and terminology used in diagnosis of fish diseases, methods of fish disease prevention and control. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a fish or wildlife program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND
• A Bachelor's degree in biological sciences such as biology, microbiology, zoology, fisheries science or veterinary medicine which includes successful completion of course work in fish diseases or fish health management and fisheries related courses or a closely-related Bachelor's degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of biological/ecological coursework, or three additional years of experience in the fish health specialist field or a closely related field with knowledge of chemical, microbiological, virological and parasitology principles, microbiological laboratory techniques and terminology used in diagnosis of fish diseases, methods of fish disease prevention and control biological.
A Master's degree in biological sciences such as biology, microbiology, zoology, fisheries science or veterinary medicine which includes successful completion of course work in fish diseases or fish health management and fisheries related courses; Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely-related Master's degree in biological/ecological sciences will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
A Doctorate degree in biological sciences such as biology, microbiology, zoology, fisheries science or veterinary medicine which includes successful completion of course work in fish diseases or fish health management and fisheries related courses; Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely-related Doctorate degree in biological/ecological sciences will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
Applicants who have obtained a Master's degree or Doctorate that included work experience from an internship, work/study, thesis, or similar program may list this experience in their application to receive credit for the work experience. The Master's degree/Doctorate and applicable work experience will be considered separately and both the education and applicable experience may count toward minimum qualifications.
Requested Skills:
• Collecting biological samples, observing behaviors, making assessments, and recording data for wild or captive populations of animals
• Knowledge and experience of fish health and pathology
• Experience in fisheries and aquaculture
• Writing technical reports related to natural resources
• Veterinary Medical Degree (DVM, VMD, or BScV)
• Experience with coldwater finfish aquaculture species
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Fish Health Services is a diagnostic laboratory servicing Oregon's 34 public fish hatcheries, as well as providing testing for an additional 10-15 private aquaculture facilities and pathogen surveys of wild fish in the state. We assist ODFW fish culture and fish research and management programs in an effort to reduce the impacts of disease on fish populations.
Located on the Oregon State University campus on the 5th Floor of Nash Hall, we provide support and diagnostic services, including whirling disease testing, DNA, virological, bacteriological, and serological testing plus general fish health screening. In addition to our Corvallis lab, we also have a lab in Madras and LaGrande at Eastern Oregon University.
Our collaborations with OSU over the past 50 years have resulted in many major advances in the field of fish health. Our expertise in fish diseases and open exchange of information with OSU faculty and students has been mutually advantageous. We welcome students into the lab to get a first-hand look at microbiology in action.
