Planning a Wildlife Career:
Fisheries Research & Management
Fisheries Biologist
Fisheries Biologist Supervisor
Fish Management Supervisor
Fish Management Unit Leader
Fish Management Technician
Fish Hatchery Superintendent
Fish Hatchery Coordinator
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Fisheries Biologist I & II
 Evaluating existing fish management programs, formulating research study and management proposals, preparing budgets, writing monthly, annual and final reports on studies and ordering necessary supplies and equipment for studies.
Performs laboratory analysis of biological samples (e.g., analysis of fish scales to determine age and growth, microscopic examination of stomach contents to determine species food habits); conducts limited chemical analysis of water samples; identifies zooplankton and tabulates data; surveys fishermen to determine harvest and catch rates.
Conducts technical fish management activities (e.g., drafts bottom contour maps; calculates area, volume and depth, operates limnological and fish survey equipment to collect samples and gather data.
Presents technical findings at scientific meeting and speaks before sports and commercial fish organizations; answers questions concerning division policies and other inquiries. Assists in equipment maintenance and repair.
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
Biologist I
Completion of graduate core program in fisheries science or completion of graduate core program in biological sciences to include 6 courses in fisheries science and 2 courses in statistics; (e.g. fisheries management, fishery techniques, limnology, icthyology, fish biology, fish ecology, aquatic entomology.) Or completion of undergraduate core program in fisheries science; 18 mos. training or experience in management and coordination of fisheries projects.
Biologist II
Completion of graduate core program in fisheries science; 6 mos. training or 6 mos. experience in management & coordination of fisheries projects. Or completion of graduate core program in biological sciences to include 6 courses in fisheries science and 2 courses in statistics; (e.g. fisheries management, fishery techniques, limnology, icthyology, fish biology, fish ecology, aquatic entomology), 6 mos. training or 6 mos. experience in management and coordination of fisheries projects. Or 24 mos. training/exp. as Fisheries Biologist I.
Essential Knowledge, Abilities & Skills
Knowledge of fish management practices; aquatic biology; aquatic zoology; research methods; technical writing. Skill in operation of lab and survey equipment. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; write complex reports and position papers; gather, collate and classify data; lift up to 50 lbs.
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Fisheries Biologist Supervisor
 Supervises wildlife biologists and technical staff and serves as research project leader, plans and directs fish management and research projects. Maintains current evaluation of project findings, prepares monthly operational and special reports, reviews edits and writes technical reports associated with project.
Coordinates research study work with educational institutions, bordering states, and or countries and federal government; serves on special work groups concerning area fisheries and maintains current evaluation of research findings.
Attends meetings to present research findings to wildlife council, general public and special interest groups in absence of program administrator; conducts public relations; conducts laboratory analysis of aquatic samples.
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
Completion of graduate core program in fisheries science; 6 mos. exp. as research project leader. Or completion of undergraduate core program in fisheries science; 18 mos. training or experience in management and coordination of fisheries projects (6 mos. as project leader).
Essential Knowledge, Abilities & Skills
Knowledge of fish management practices; aquatic biology; aquatic zoology; research methods; technical writing; supervisory techniques/principals budgeting. Skill in operation of lab and survey equipment. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; write and edit complex reports and position papers; gather, collate and classify data.
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Fish Management Supervisor
Plans, monitors and evaluates fish management projects in assigned district and supervises field personnel and hatchery superintendents, assists in formulating statewide fish management programs and acts in absence of district wildlife manager, as assigned.
Plans, administers, and coordinates research projects in assigned district, performs biological assessment of water areas, prepares environmental impact statements and numerous other studies and analyzes and compiles data into reports and makes recommendations.
Performs variety of public relations activities (e.g. conducts clinics on farm pond management, prepares news releases; provides technical assistance to consulting firms).
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
Completion of graduate core program in fisheries science; 6 mos. training/exp. in supervisory principles/techniques; valid drivers license.
Essential Knowledge, Abilities & Skills
Knowledge of fish management ; biology; zoology; chemistry; supervisory techniques/principals budgeting. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; prepare technical reports and project plans; gather, collate and classify data.
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Fish Management Unit Leader
Oversees fish management projects in assigned multi-county area of wildlife district, provides work direction and training to fish management technicians, implements data collection procedures, maintains inventory of assigned equipment, purchases or requisitions supplies and completes activity reports.
Conducts surveys and collects and tabulates data on fish population, makes fish habitat improvements and operates motor vehicle in order to transport and stock fish.
Monitors others and participates in building, grounds and equipment maintenance, constructs all types of nets and seines.
Responds to public inquiries; assists wildlife officers with law enforcement projects.
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
Completion of undergraduate core program in fisheries science to include 2 courses in statistics or completion of undergraduate core program in biological sciences to include 6 courses in fisheries science and 2 courses in statistics; valid drivers license
Essential Knowledge, Abilities & Skills
Knowledge of fish management ; biology; zoology; chemistry; employee training and development. Skill in use and operation of survey equipment; hand and power tools, motor boats and tractors. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; write meaningful, concise and accurate reports; lift up to 50 lbs.
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Fish Management Technician
 Conducts surveys and collects data on Ohio's fish population (e.g. trap netting, electro fishing, creel census), identifies and collects vital statistics of fish samples, analyzes scales for age and growth; measures water quality and conducts fish habitat improvements.
Maintains buildings, grounds and equipment (e.g. repairs vehicles, outboards, electro fishing gear, chainsaws and mowers; mows and trims grass; clears brush; picks up trash; posts public use and fishing signs); constructs all types of nets and seines; operates motor vehicle in order to transport and stock fish.
Provides general information to public; operates check station, issues fishing permits and weighs fish; assists other wildlife sections such as law enforcement.
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
Completion of associate core program in fisheries science to include 1 course in chemistry; valid drivers license or 24 mos. exp. conducting fish management surveys, data collection, operating fish sampling equipment and implementing fish management strategies.
Essential Knowledge, Abilities & Skills
Knowledge of fish management practices; biology; zoology; chemistry. Skill in use and operation of survey equipment; hand and power tools, motor boats and tractors. Ability to deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; gather, collect and classify information; lift up to 50 lbs.
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Fish Management Superintendent
 Supervises all fish hatchery coordinators and fish management technicians in overall fish hatchery operations, plans, schedules and executes all phases of fish production activities at fish hatchery facility to include collection and care of brood stock, collection and incubation of eggs, hatching of fry, rearing of fingerlings, advanced fingerlings and yearlings, fish harvesting and stocking distribution, identification and treatment of diseases and nutritional problems, sampling fish and fish food organisms, monitoring and manipulating water quality, chemical parameters and water flows, calculates application rates for fertilizers, fish therapeutics pesticides along with fish stocking densities and feeding rates, develops approach, procedures and timetables used to complete fish production requirements.
Develops long range facility plans, policies and procedures for all phases of overall fish hatchery operation; makes recommendations and develops new theories and techniques for improving production capabilities; participates and designs and monitors capital improvement projects; participates in federal aid project planning; compiles and analyzes data to determine efficiency an cost effectiveness of production techniques and prepares reports and recommendations from this data; coordinates fish hatchery program objectives with outside departments and agencies
Drafts quality quarterly and annual reports; purchases all materials needed to operate production facility; compiles information and corresponds with minority vendors; solicits bids for purchase orders and requisitions; coordinates research projects with universities; develops and executes security program for facility.
Maintains state and federal inventory and real estate property records of all buildings, vehicles and equipment; surveys state and federal inventories of surplus property for acquisition; prepares and reviews periodic reports and technical papers; prepares correspondence, literature reviews and directs incorporation of new ideas and techniques.
Plans and directs building and grounds maintenance to include residences, offices, fish holding facilities, storage buildings, displays, roads, ponds, bridges, and nature trails and fish holding structures; directs maintenance and repair of all related equipment.
Schedules, plans and directs tours of the facility; prepares and presents lectures, programs and technical papers to civic and professional organizations; conducts/participates in meetings workshops and training seminars; provides technical assistance to land owners on construction, maintenance and biological needs of aquatic ecosystems. Operates heavy motorized equipment.
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
Completion of undergraduate core program in fisheries science; 2 yrs trg. or 2 yrs. exp. in production and care of fish; valid drivers license or 2 yrs exp. as Fish Hatchery Coordinator
Essential Knowledge, Abilities & Skills
Knowledge of fisheries or wildlife management; fish propagation techniques; biology; zoology; chemistry; supervisory principles and techniques; employee training and development; public relations. Skills in operation of building and grounds maintenance tools and scientific analysis tools. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; write accurate, concise and meaningful reports; gather, collect and classify data; lift up to 50 lbs.
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Fish Hatchery Coordinator
Assists fish hatchery superintendent in monitoring operations of facility, provides training and work direction to fish management technicians in production and care of fish and assists in budget planning for facility programs.
Monitors pond or pen preparation and vegetation control and chemical treatment of fish and eggs; observes fish for detection of infectious disease and dietary deficiencies; checks transportation and stocking activities.
Oversees and works with fish management technicians and maintenance staff in building and grounds maintenance; operates heavy motorized equipment in order to mow, trim grass remove brush, repair dikes and remove snow.
Assists superintendent during fish collection.
Prepares monthly and annual reports; maintains vehicle maintenance and gas consumption records.
Attends meetings workshops and training schools.
Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment
Completion of undergraduate core program in fisheries science; valid drivers license or 24 mos exp. as Fish Management Technician; valid drivers license.
Essential Knowledge, Abilities & Skills
Knowledge of supervisory principles and techniques; fisheries or wildlife management; fish propagation techniques; biology; zoology; chemistry; employee training and development; public relations. Skills in operation of building and grounds maintenance tools and scientific analysis tools. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; complete forms and reports; gather, collect and classify data; lift up to 50 lbs.
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