Individual Placement - Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery Operations

The Student Conservation Association is seeking an AmeriCorps Cold Water Hatchery Member for a full-time position at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Jamestown, KY. The role involves assisting with fish husbandry, monitoring water quality, and supporting conservation efforts for various aquatic species. This service term lasts from April 2026 to January 2027, requiring a commitment of 1200 hours, with compensation including a weekly living allowance and an education award.
Service Position Summary

AmeriCorps Cold Water Hatchery Member

Position Summary

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, and much more across the country.

This position is part of SCA's National Direct Opportunity Youth Service Initiative (OYSI). OYSI is a partnership between SCA, AmeriCorps, and The Corps Network which engages youth ages 18-24 who are disconnected from school or work in hands-on conservation service that protect and restore public lands, waters, and recreation resources nationwide. The program provides job-skills training, support, and career pathways in environmental stewardship and infrastructure fields, while prioritizing placements for participants who meet opportunity-youth eligibility criteria .

The Southeast Region (Region 4) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program proposes to utilize Student Conservation Association members to support mission-critical hatchery-based fish culture and aquatic species propagation programs. The Service will place individuals at strategic locations throughout the region based on programmatic needs involving hatchery production support.

Schedule

April 6, 2026 - January 9, 2027 = 40 weeks

Hours

Full time service (40 hours per week)

A minimum 30-minute lunch break is required each service day. Lunch periods do not count toward the required minimum service hours.

Service Location

Jamestown, KY

Member Impact

AmeriCorps Members will assist with foundational hatchery fish-culture duties including all aspects of fish husbandry and hatchery operations, feeding fish, monitoring water quality, cleaning tanks and raceways, handling and transferring fish, caring for eggs, and preparing fish for stocking or distribution. The role involves maintaining accurate records of feeding, growth, and mortality, inspecting and servicing equipment, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Additionally, the AmeriCorps Members support conservation efforts for threatened and endangered species such as freshwater mussels, turtles, crayfish, and various fish by monitoring health, maintaining enclosures, disinfecting equipment, and assisting with field collection.

Immediate Supervisor/Title

James Gray/ Regional Cold Water Program Supervisor

AmeriCorps Service Term Minimum Hours Requirement

1200 hours

Compensation
• Amount of Living Allowance member will receive: $600/week
• One time relocation travel allowance of $1,100
• Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member term of service: $5,176.50
• All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
• Eligible for Federal Student Loan forbearance and interest payment deferment through AmeriCorps for qualifying student loans

Essential Functions

The position functions will comply with all AmeriCorps Prohibited Activity restrictions specified in the SCA AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement and SCA Corps Member Handbook.

This role will provide direct experience in hands-on hatchery operations, making the Member a vital contributing member of the hatchery staff supporting species propagation, conservation, and restoration.

Primary duties - Hatchery Operations & Fish-Culture Assist in all aspects of fish husbandry and hatchery operations • Feed fish according to established schedules and monitor feeding behavior. • Monitor water quality by checking and recording temperature, dissolved oxygen, and flow rates • Clean tanks, raceways, and rearing units to maintain hygiene and fish health. • Assist with fish handling, including grading, sorting, and transferring fish between rearing units • Prepare fish for stocking or distribution following hatchery guidelines. • Care for eggs and incubation equipment • Identify and report signs of disease or parasites; assist with treatments under supervision • Maintain accurate records of feeding, water quality, fish growth, and mortality • Help with packing and shipping fish or eggs for distribution • Follow all safety protocols and hatchery compliance guidelines

Marginal Functions

Assist with care for threatened and endangered species including freshwater mussels, turtles, crayfish, various fish species • Inspect pumps, aerators, heaters, chillers, and filtration systems for proper operation • Clean and maintain tanks, raceways, ponds, and plumbing for all species • Document water quality, feeding schedules, growth measurements, and mortality for all species • Maintain accurate logs for research, permits, and regulatory compliance • Check health and growth of mussels, fish, turtles, mammals, and crayfish • Perform routine cleaning of enclosures, trays, and substrates • Assist with field collection and monitoring as needed • Disinfect equipment and work areas to prevent cross-species disease transmission • Maintain inventory of species-specific supplies (algae, fish feed, turtle diets, crayfish substrates, chemicals) Assist with keeping the facility's grounds safe and presentable by mowing, trimming, clearing debris, managing vegetation and landscaping, maintaining pathways and buildings, and ensuring equipment is in good working order • Maintain clear and accessible access for staff and visitors, and equipment to ensure safe and optimal movement throughout the facility • Operate and maintain equipment (mowers, trimmers, etc.) to prevent malfunctions and loss of production • Mow and trim grass regularly and maintain landscaping to keep grounds neat and presentable for the public preventing unsafe conditions

Required Qualifications

AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements:

This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. To be eligible for this position you must meet these basic AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements:
• Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;
• Being at least 18 years or older;
• Having a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to complete;
• Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check after acceptance of position, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.
• High school diploma or GED • Valid Drivers License • Ability to lift and carry more than 50 lbs. • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions • Ability to serve safely in aquatic, muddy, and uneven environments • Ability to legally serve in the U.S. (part of SCA's National Direct AmeriCorps program)

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications
• Ability to serve effectively in strenuous outdoor and hatchery environments while maintaining attention to detail and safety • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in fisheries, biology, environmental science, wildlife, or related field (or equivalent experience) • 1+ year of experience in conservation work, hatchery operations, or fish culture • Experience with fish husbandry, water quality testing, spawning/rearing, or fisheries field sampling

Commitment Required

Serve full time for 40 weeks

Living Accommodations

Housing accommodations are provided by the hosting site.

Housing will be in a 2,100+ sq ft split level government quarters, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, full kitchen, dining room, living room, all upstairs. Downstairs is split between single car garage and large open room.

Living space may be shared with another SCA AmeriCorps Member.

WiFi is provided in housing, and laundry facility is on site.

Personal Vehicle Requirement

Vehicle required for personal transportation.

Training and Additional Benefits
• Training will not exceed 20% of total service hours
• AmeriCorps and SCA Orientation
• SCA Risk Management
• Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace
• Workforce Development & Job Readiness

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.