Fisheries Technician

About the Department

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is seeking a knowledgeable fisheries professional to fill a Fisheries Technician position within the Division of Fish Production Services in Centre County .

You will work with skilled staff who monitor hatcheries and cooperative nurseries across the state.

Your contributions will help ensure the long-term health of Pennsylvania’s fish hatcheries, water systems, and aquatic resources.

Join a team that values science, conservation, and hands-on fieldwork every day.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is seeking a knowledgeable fisheries professional to fill a Fisheries Technician position within the Division of Fish Production Services in Centre County .

You will work with skilled staff who monitor hatcheries and cooperative nurseries across the state.

Your contributions will help ensure the long-term health of Pennsylvania’s fish hatcheries, water systems, and aquatic resources.

Join a team that values science, conservation, and hands-on fieldwork every day.

This position provides support to the Water Quality Unit by performing a variety of duties to support the goals of the Northern and Southern Hatcheries, Division of Fish Production Services, and Division of Fisheries Management. The work helps protect fish populations, ensures important aquatic resources remain healthy, and all permit requirements and environmental standards are met. As a Fisheries Technician, you will perform the following duties: Water Sample Processing: Log and preserve water samples, complete bench sheets, and manage chain of custody documentation Sample Analysis: Conduct tests for pH, oxygen, solids, phosphorus, chloride, formaldehyde, and other parameters in accordance with required methods Data Management: Calculate results, maintain electronic water quality files, and prepare information for permit reporting Equipment Maintenance: Calibrate and maintain meters, pumps, ovens, samplers, balances, heaters, and other laboratory tools Guidance and Communication: Provide direction to hatchery staff on sample collection, autosampler use, and compliance procedures Compliance Reporting: Compile water quality data, submit electronic discharge reports, and notify supervisors of potential issues Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description . Work Schedule and Additional Information: Full-time employment Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch. Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.

In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.

You will receive further communication regarding this position via email.

Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

This position provides support to the Water Quality Unit by performing a variety of duties to support the goals of the Northern and Southern Hatcheries, Division of Fish Production Services, and Division of Fisheries Management.

The work helps protect fish populations, ensures important aquatic resources remain healthy, and all permit requirements and environmental standards are met.

As a Fisheries Technician, you will perform the following duties:

• Water Sample Processing: Log and preserve water samples, complete bench sheets, and manage chain of custody documentation
• Sample Analysis: Conduct tests for pH, oxygen, solids, phosphorus, chloride, formaldehyde, and other parameters in accordance with required methods
• Data Management: Calculate results, maintain electronic water quality files, and prepare information for permit reporting
• Equipment Maintenance: Calibrate and maintain meters, pumps, ovens, samplers, balances, heaters, and other laboratory tools
• Guidance and Communication: Provide direction to hatchery staff on sample collection, autosampler use, and compliance procedures
• Compliance Reporting: Compile water quality data, submit electronic discharge reports, and notify supervisors of potential issues

Interested in learning more?

Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description .

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: Three years of technical fisheries science experience; or Three years of college with 18 credits in biological sciences of which nine credits must be directly related to fish biology, fish ecology, fisheries management, ichthyology, fish culture, fish physiology, fish pathology, limnology, aquatic ecology, aquatic entomology or water quality; or An equivalent combination of experience and training. Special Requirement: You must possess a valid driver's license. Other Requirements: You must meet the PA residency requirement . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines. You must be able to perform essential job functions. Legal Requirements: This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements.

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date .

Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work.

Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted.

Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans: Pennsylvania law (51 Pa.

C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.

To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Three years of technical fisheries science experience; or
• Three years of college with 18 credits in biological sciences of which nine credits must be directly related to fish biology, fish ecology, fisheries management, ichthyology, fish culture, fish physiology, fish pathology, limnology, aquatic ecology, aquatic entomology or water quality; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

• You must possess a valid driver's license.

• You must meet the PA residency requirement . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.
• Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date . Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position.

No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.

Your score is valid for this specific posting only.

You must provide complete and accurate information or: your score may be lower than deserved. you may be disqualified.

You may only apply/test once for this posting.

Your results will be provided via email.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or: your score may be lower than deserved. you may be disqualified.
• your score may be lower than deserved.
• you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video ! See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator . Health & Wellness We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.* Compensation & Financial Planning We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. Work/Life Balance We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* Values and Culture We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving. Employee Perks Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships. For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box. *Eligibility rules apply.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video !

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator .

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

• Yes
• No
• 3 years or more
• 2 but less than 3 years
• 1 but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None
• 90 credits or more
• 60 but less than 90 credits
• 30 but less than 60 credits
• Less than 30 credits
• None
• 9 credits or more
• 6 but less than 9 credits
• 3 but less than 6 credits
• None
• 18 credits or more
• 12 but less than 18 credits
• 6 but less than 12 credits
• Less than 6 credits
• None

All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification.

Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty.

If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully.

Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training.

List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training.

The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered.

In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page .

• Yes
• A. I have experience conducting inspections of established nurseries and prospective sites to evaluate the condition of the fish; feeding methods; facility cleanliness; water quality; AND for gill lice. I have made recommendations on quantity and species composition.
• B. I have experience conducting inspections of established nurseries and prospective sites to evaluate the condition of the fish; feeding methods; facility cleanliness; and water quality. I have made recommendations on quantity and species composition. I have NOT conducted inspections for gill lice.
• C. I have experience conducting inspections of established nurseries and prospective sites to evaluate the condition of the fish; feeding methods; facility cleanliness; and water quality. Someone else was responsible for making recommendations.
• D. I have assisted others in conducting inspections of established nurseries and prospective sites to evaluate the condition of the fish; feeding methods; facility cleanliness; or water quality.
• E. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to fisheries biology, fisheries management, or fish hatchery management.
• F. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.
• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. Your experience conducting inspections, including gill lice. Your experience making recommendations on quantity and species composition. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• Your experience conducting inspections, including gill lice. Your experience making recommendations on quantity and species composition. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• Your experience making recommendations on quantity and species composition. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.

• Credits/Clock Hours
• A. I have experience collecting fish samples, performing fish autopsies, conducting stream surveys to determine the presence of disease or pathogens, AND treating the water and fish with appropriate products.
• B. I have experience collecting fish samples, conducting stream surveys to determine the presence of disease or pathogens, and treating the water and fish with appropriate products. I did NOT perform fish autopsies.
• C. I have experience collecting fish samples and treating the water and fish with appropriate products. I did NOT perform fish autopsies OR determine the presence of disease or pathogens.
• D. I have experience collecting fish samples. I did NOT perform fish autopsies, determine the presence of disease or pathogens, OR treat the water and fish.
• E. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to fish health, ichthyology, or aquaculture.
• F. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.
• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. Your experience collecting fish samples. Your experience performing fish autopsies. Your experience determining the presence of disease or pathogens. Your experience treating the fish and water. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• Your experience collecting fish samples. Your experience performing fish autopsies. Your experience determining the presence of disease or pathogens. Your experience treating the fish and water. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• Your experience performing fish autopsies. Your experience determining the presence of disease or pathogens. Your experience treating the fish and water. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• Your experience determining the presence of disease or pathogens. Your experience treating the fish and water. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• Your experience treating the fish and water. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.

• Credits/Clock Hours
• A. I have experience providing technical assistance/information to fish nursery personnel AND the general public regarding inspections, maintenance, fish feeding, or health concerns.
• B. I have experience providing technical assistance/information to fish nursery personnel regarding inspections, maintenance, fish feeding, or health concerns. Someone else was responsible for providing information/responding to the general public.
• C. I have experience providing technical assistance/information to others or responding to inquiries NOT related to fisheries or fish culture.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to public speaking or communications.
• E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.
• The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. Your experience providing technical assistance/information and to whom. The topic of the information provided. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• Your experience providing technical assistance/information and to whom. The topic of the information provided. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• The topic of the information provided. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.
• The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility.

• Credits/Clock Hours