IntroductionThe Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hiring a Fish Culture Biologist to oversee all aspects of fish production at the Governor Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery in Spooner, WI. Wisconsin's Fisheries Management program is responsible for protecting, maintaining, and developing Wisconsin's fisheries and aquatic resources. The program annually employs 200+ positions and spends over $30 million to manage fisheries in Wisconsin's 15,000+ lakes, 42,000 miles of perennial streams and rivers, 2 Great Lakes and 1,000 miles of their shoreline and 260 miles of the Mississippi River. Find a meaningful and rewarding career with the DNR! The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our residents. We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. The staff works in partnership with individuals and organizations to manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air, and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a talented workforce representative of the people of Wisconsin we serve. We offer training and career growth opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package, and are searching for people with diverse backgrounds to join our dynamic and team-oriented environment.
Position SummaryThe Fish Culture Biologist requires a high level of fish culture knowledge, fish diseases, complex electrical and mechanical systems, environmental monitoring, and accurate record keeping. This position requires lead worker skills, communication skills, planning expertise, computer skills, ability to work with others, and an ability to understand, convey, and carry out instructions. This position will be the lead in ensuring compliance with WPDES ( Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ) requirements and oversee all aspects of fish production on site. This position will be added to the hatchery alarm call list. This position will direct the work of Fisheries Technician's (Advanced level) and LTE (limited term employment) staff daily and is the primary lead worker in the absence of the supervisor. For more information, please see the Position Description .
Salary InformationStarting pay for this position is between $64,480 to $72,800 annually ($31 to $35 per hour), in addition to excellent benefits. This position is included in the classification Fisheries Biologist - Sr within Pay Schedule/Range 15-03. This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan. In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, the State of Wisconsin offers an exemplary benefits package with:
- Generous paid time off , including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
- Excellent and affordable health insurance options
- Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
- A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
- A Well Wisconsin program
- A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.
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Job DetailsFuture vacancies: The results from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies if they become available. Probation: A 12-month probationary period may be required. Travel: Regular travel between other facilities may be required. Periodic travel is required within the region and statewide for meetings. Driver License Requirement: The selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment and meet the requirements of the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy. The candidate must be at least 18 years of age with 2 years driving experience. Candidates with three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years, or who have an OWI/DUE violation within the past year are not eligible to drive state vehicles. Other Requirement: A Pesticide Applicator license will be required to be obtained within 12 months of employment. Physical / Environmental Factors: Work hours may be variable and occur 7 days a week, 24 hours a day by scheduling, or emergency. The person in this position will be added to the hatchery alarm call list. This position requires the ability to wear personal protective equipment such as hearing and eye protection while on the job and safety apparatus when applying pesticides. Housing: The Department may require persons in this position to live in unoccupied housing units in order to prevent deterioration of Department-owned properties and in order to shorten emergency and other customer service response times. Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record. Eligibility to work in United States: The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.
QualificationsYour letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here . Please describe the below qualifications in your letter of qualification and resume to be considered for this position: Required qualifications include experience in ALL of the following:
- Fish health and/or fish culture including spawning, rearing and stocking fish and incubating eggs.
- Conducting water quality tests such as pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite/nitrates, etc.
- Recording data and updating documents and spreadsheets such as production logs, transfer forms, stocking receipts, equipment maintenance logs, etc.
In addition to the above, best-qualified applicants will also have a combination of the following:
- Training or experience administering a fish hatchery monitoring system such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition); including attending to alarms, changing setpoints, and monitoring the various equipment in the system.
- Experience communicating, coordinating, adjusting, and developing fish hatchery production schedules.
- Experience working with wastewater permits such as Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) program.
- Experience leading a team or work crew including training, teaching, coaching and/or mentoring others.
How To ApplyIf viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for Job ID: 18402 to complete your application for this posting. Current state employees, including those with Career Executive status, must apply through STAR ESS. Former permanent classified state employees must apply through Wisc.Jobs. The steps to apply online are quick and easy! Your resume and letter of qualifications are used during our evaluation process to determine your eligibility for further consideration. Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. It is critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated job qualifications. Please review our helpful tips for developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included. References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted. For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions . For questions regarding the application process, please contact Vicki Treml in Human Resources at
[email protected]. Disabled veterans: Qualified veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability are eligible for non-competitive appointment to permanent positions in classified civil service under s 230.275 WI Stats. Please send your letter of qualifications and resume outlining how you meet the required qualifications for the position listed above in the job announcement along with your DD-214 and documentation of your service-connected disability rating (dated within 12-months) to the HR contact listed in this announcement for information on how to apply under this provision. Current permanent State employees are not eligible for non-competitive appointment. The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Deadline to ApplyAll applications must be received by 11:59 pm central standard time on Monday, August 18th, 2025.
