Fish Farm Worker - Skill II

Work description

Job Duties and Requirements: Perform various tasks relating to the production of catfish including but not limited to: maintenance on multiple types of equipment, roads/levees, grass/weed management, monitoring buoys, aerator implements, feed equipment, ATV’s and various other machines/tools found on a large farm operation. Assist in unloading fingerlings and place in ponds. Monitor and report/correct oxygen levels in pond water, learn to observe/report irregular fish behavior and physical conditions. Monitor pond water temperature, color, levels and general overall quality of growing environment. Monitor and record ponds for sick fish and disease symptoms. Harass/remove all predatory birds and animals. Assist in harvesting food fish from ponds, pulling nets and loading fish onto trucks for transport. As needed, workers may be asked to feed the fish by operating a feed truck on the farm. Occasionally handle live fish with some heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds). Seining workers wade in the ponds beside the tow tractor to position seine net using foot to ride the mud line and keep net on bottom. Worker uses arms and legs and moves whole body walking in the water, pulling, lifting, balancing, and stooping. Will use seines, socks, dip nets, waders, gloves, life vests and all assigned safety PPE. Performs routine pond maintenance, levee/road repair, draining pot holes, removing aquatic weeds, tall grasses/small trees, mowing grass, operate weed-eater, clean and store equipment, to remove dead fish from ponds and bury, uses oxygen meter and/or chemical test kit. Will work outside in hot and cold weather and work in 4'-6' water in catfish ponds. Will be required to learn to daily operate, fuel, service fluids, maintain tires and repair equipment including but not limited to electric paddle wheels, PTO driven paddle wheels, tractors, trucks, ATVs, and oxygen monitoring systems. Operate feed trucks as necessary to feed fish under the direction of the farm manager. Other farm activities include: general farm work, cleaning and washing vehicles, nets, tractors, and various tools/equipment and shop/yard areas, grounds maintenance to include bushhogging, field plowing and planting, controlled burns, mowing, weed eating, using blowers, shrub trimming, etc. Light landscaping and or building repair around structures on farms. All workers must practice safety, look out for co-workers and ALWAYS ask questions if you do not completely understand assigned tasks. This work is seasonal in nature. Workers are provided all tools, PPE and necessary items to do the job at no cost or deposit to the worker. Some workers will work 4:30am until 2:30pm and some will work 6:00am until 4:00pm, others may be asked to work 9:00pm to 7:00am depending on what tasks they are working. For the safety of all workers and the employer, applicants with a felony conviction of theft or violence will not be hired. A post hire criminal background check will be conducted post hire and at the employer’s expense and those with a felony conviction will be terminated. Set feed amounts based on observation of feed activity. Lead teams of employees in farm activities that require multiple people to complete such as seining, aerator repair, feeding or maintaining night oxygen levels and others. Perform light repairs on farm equipment and vehicles without direct supervision.