Assistant Hatchery Manager

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks seeks an Assistant Hatchery Manager for the Pratt Fish Hatchery. This full-time position involves overseeing fish culture phases, including hatching and monitoring various fish species. The role includes scientific data collection and water chemistry management. The job offers benefits such as medical coverage, paid leave, and retirement programs. The position is based in Pratt County, KS, and is not remote.
Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:

Job Posting closes: March 14, 2025

Required documents uploaded by: March 17, 2025

Agency Information:

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is an executive branch agency in charge of operating and regulating the use of state parks, state lakes, recreational grounds, wildlife areas and sanctuaries, fish hatcheries, natural areas, historic sites and other lands, waters, and facilities for the promotion of public health, safety, and for the use and pleasure of visitors. The agency is also charged with the development and conservation of wildlife and the natural resources within the state. The agency oversees 29 state parks, 500 miles of trails, approximately 460,301 acres of leased or owned public lands, management of four hatcheries, and four nature centers.

To meet our mission, projects, and goals, KDWP employs approximately 466 full time employees and up to 350 temporary employees, throughout the state, with diverse and varying skillsets. The largest agency office is the Operational Headquarters in Pratt, Kansas. The Office of the Secretary is maintained in Topeka, Kansas. There are three Regional Offices located in Topeka, Wichita, and Hays; three District Offices in Kansas City, Chanute, and Dodge City; and a Research Office located in Emporia, Kansas. Various wildlife, public land, and parks offices are located across the state.

KDWP has an annual budget of $110 million for Fiscal Year 2024. The agency is primarily funded through license fees, grants and federal funds that are provided through the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts.

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Fisheries, Pratt, Management, Biologist

Compensation: $61,740 to $64,827
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits
• Immediate comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary: This unclassified, full-time position within the Fisheries Division, at Pratt Fish Hatchery, and is directly supervised by Mike Hassler, Hatchery Manager.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent is responsible for all culture phases required to produce their assigned fish species which may include Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Walleye, Saugeye, Bluegill, Fathead Minnow, Black Crappie and other species. Pratt Hatchery is an 80+ extensive earth culture pond facility with a surface water source supplied by diversion dam. Responsibilities to include Ictalurid & predaceous fish hatching, harvest, collecting scientific data, water chemistry, and monitoring fish growth and rates of feed consumption. Responsible for assisting with extensive pond management including water flow management, aquatic plant removal and treatment, pond bottom contouring, water well tracking, reporting, and harvest structure maintenance. The position designs and modifies fish culture equipment to meet specific needs. Diagnoses and monitors fish health and applies appropriate treatments to avoid loss. This position will supervise two Fisheries Biologists, one Fisheries Technician, and all temporary staff. Successful candidate will be the acting Hatchery Manager in the manager’s absence. The position will assist with maintaining hatchery assets, coordinating large capital improvement projects, purchasing, and other administrative duties.

Hatchery housing is currently not available. Must live within 15 minutes of hatchery.

Upon employment, the following licenses will be required:
• State of Kansas Driver’s License
• Commercial Applicator License – Category 5 for Aquatic Pesticides

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in fisheries science/management or wildlife science/management

Licensing & Certification: The successful candidate must pass a background check and must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in fisheries science/management or wildlife science/management and at least three years of full-time work experience in a fish hatchery or related position. Education may be substituted by the agency.

Preferred Qualifications: At least one year of full-time supervisory experience is preferred. Applicants with job knowledge and/or experience in fish production and/or fisheries management will be given preference.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements: The selected candidate must take and pass a state of Kansas Controlled Substance Test for Commercial Drivers prior to appointment and is subject to random testing for alcohol and controlled substances following employment.

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Laverne Taylor

Email: laverne.taylor@ks.gov

Phone: 620-672-0704

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions”

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

The following are the required items to apply:

1) a letter of interest

2) a detailed resume; including a valid e-mail address

3) transcript material, if applicable, (copies of official transcripts or unofficial student copies are acceptable as long as degree is conferred)

4) employment application – this is generated from the information which is input into the system

5) an Authorization to Release Information form (this can be found at the following website):

https://www.ksoutdoors.com/news/KDWP-Info/Jobs/Employment-Application-Additional-Info
• *Please note, this form must either be witnessed and signed by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks employee or signed in front of and notarized by a notary public. We reserve the right to conduct a background check on all qualified applicants.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application packet must be submitted for each position. We no longer make copies of previous applications. Submitted application materials will be reviewed in Pratt to assure that the position minimum requirements are met, and those meeting the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the respective division for interview selection.

Applicants are notified whether or not they are selected to interview. The interview is generally a one-time, panel interview consisting of position-specific questions for all applicants (same questions for each applicant), with the selection being made after all candidate interviews are completed

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran”; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person’s eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.