This job was posted by https://www.vermontjoblink.com : For more
information, please see: https://www.vermontjoblink.com/jobs/1274288
Overview
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is seeking applications for a
Fish Health Biologist (F&W Scientist III) to work in the Fish Health
Laboratory located in a new, state-of-the-art facility in Randolph
Center, VT. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated laboratory
scientist to advance established methods in fish health testing and
conduct research in the fields of fish health and microbiology. The
laboratory is responsible for conducting annual fish health inspections
on all state-owned and private fish culture stations, as well as
investigating fish kills and studying fish disease agents in the natural
environment.
Duties for this position involve professional biological work in the
field of fish health. Work will be primarily performed in a laboratory
setting and will include the collection and processing of fish tissues
for disease testing. This position will be responsible for the operation
and maintenance of the fish health laboratory including conducting all
bacteriology, virology, parasitology, and polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) assays in compliance with guidelines set by the Northeast Fish
Health Committee, the American Fisheries Society/Fish Health Section
(AFS/FHS), and the World Organization of Animal Health. Additional
responsibilities involve occasional travel to field collection sites,
assisting in public outreach efforts, report writing, budget preparation
and administration of the program\'s budget, coordination of scheduling
between programs of operation, supervision and training of seasonal
employees, as well as cross-training of Fish Culture Specialists to
ensure smooth operations of the Fish Health Laboratory.
Experience working in a laboratory setting, developing and implementing
methods and protocols in bacterial, viral, and parasitological assays,
and/or experience with quantitative real-time PCR assays is highly
desirable.
The primary duty station for this position will be the Vermont
Agriculture Environmental Laboratory (VAEL) located in Randolph Center,
Vermont. Work requires a high degree of independence and initiative and
is performed under the supervision of the Fish Culture Operations
Manager.
Employees in this position are expected to obtain and maintain
certification as an Aquatic Animal Health Inspector through the AFS/FHS
within two years of hire. Additionally, the successful applicant will be
required to obtain an aquatic pesticide applicator\'s license and CPR
certification within six months of hire.
Environmental Factors
Duties are performed in both an office and a field setting. Field work
may require traversing rough terrain and bodies of water in all weather
conditions. Duties may require work outside of normal office hours.
Attendance is required at a variety of public meetings, hearings, and
seminars, where strong adversarial opinions and some hostility may be
encountered. Private means of transportation may be required for
necessary travel.
