State of Maryland

A Conservation Associate VI Fish Propagation is the highest supervisory level of subprofessional technical work involving the management of the largest fish hatchery/rearing facilities.  Employees in this classification manage one of the largest State fish hatchery and/or fish rearing stations of the Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Administration.  Employees supply Scientists and Engineers with field investigations reports used to make regulatory decisions.  Employees are responsible for the day-to-day operations, work scheduling, implementation of general exploration or survey objectives provided by Engineers or Scientists, and for providing expert operational assistance to public officials and the general public.  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Conservation Associates and other assigned personnel.

Employees in this classification receives general direction from a higher-level official usually through conferences or objective statements.  Although many assignments are written, much independence is involved with specialized skill and experience discretion dictating daily operational decisions.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Manages the operations of a fish hatchery and/or rearing station;

Supervises the preventative or curative treatment of fish diseases;

Directs the husbanding, hatching, rearing, growth cultivation, and stocking of ponds and impoundments;

Plans, schedules and coordinates the annual Statewide trout stocking program or the monthly investigative survey activity;

Investigates and advises pond owners regarding fish kills, vegetation growth, and fertilization.

Supervises and provides instruction in the use of all equipment used in field and research activities;

Supervises the maintenance of grounds, buildings, equipment and vehicles;

Contacts contractors and suppliers for bids and ensures proper implementation of awarded contracts;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the expert practices and techniques of the propagation of finfish;

Knowledge of biological census and survey techniques;

Knowledge of State laws which apply to the propagation, protection, and stocking of fish;

Knowledge of the fundamental methods of measurement of distance, volume, weight and speed;

Knowledge of the safe operation of small row or motor boats;

Ability to organize field inspection work, analyze inspection problems and develop effective work practices;

Ability to work harmoniously with Conservation Associates, contractors and the general public;

Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications;

Ability to make routine calculations and tabulate data clearly and concisely;

Ability to prepare reports; to carry out special investigations and projects;

Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time in all kinds of weather;

Ability to communicate;

Ability to supervise other employees.

Education:    An Associate of Arts degree or sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university, including at least eighteen credit hours in physical or biological science, engineering, or natural resources related course work.

Experience: One year as a Conservation Associate V or three years experience as a Conservation Associate IV in the Department of Natural Resources performing work in the Fish Propagation work area.

                                                                              OR

Six years of full-time technical experience or its equivalent in a subprofessional natural resources field, three years of which must have involved fisheries management work in a fish hatchery and/or rearing station.

                                                                              OR

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Eight years of full-time technical experience, or its equivalent, in a subprofessional natural resources field, four years of which must have involved fisheries management work in a fish hatchery and/or rearing station.

Notes: 

1. Applicants may substitute thirty credit hours, including nine hours in physical or biological science, engineering or natural resources related course work for one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources Management classifications or Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources Management specialty codes in the Engineering or Natural Resources field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education. 

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties may be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Some positions in this classification may required employees to possess a valid Class A, B, or C Maryland driver’s license prior to appointment.

1. Candidates must be willing to travel and be available for work in any part of the State, subject to required changes of work assignments.

2. Employees in this classification may be required to reside in the assigned region, county, or area.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit B, Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation. An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.