Fish Technician – (2 openings)

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

Site Location: Alchesay National Fish Hatchery (8602 N Alchesay NFH RD, Whiteriver, AZ 85941)

Term of Service:

• Start Date: 4/6/2026
• End Date: 1/1/2027

• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hour term and 450 hour term, served back-to-back

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery and the Alchesay National Fish Hatchery as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. 

Alchesay NFH and Williams Creek NFH Complex

The Alchesay and Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery (NFH) Complex works with 17 Tribal Partners, Arizona Game and Fish, and Non-Governmental Organizations to produce up to 700,000 Trout annually for sportfishing and conservation efforts, stocking more than 85 lakes and streams, and supports restoration and protection of at-risk aquatic ecosystems across Arizona and New Mexico. These fish provide an economic driver for local communities. The hatchery engages with the public for tours (individually and group school tours).  The Alchesay and Williams Creek NFH are both located on White Mountain Apache Tribe Reservation lands.

Description of Duties:

Serving at the Alchesay–Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, the Fish Technicians will support fish hatchery operations and aquatic resource conservation, rearing a combination of Brook, Brown, Apache, and Rainbow Trout for sport fishing. Assigned duties will include daily fish culturing, feeding, harvesting (raceways, tanks, ponds), water quality monitoring, data collection on hatchery populations to study health and propagation methods, fish hatchery operations and studies on efficiency, caring for fertilized eggs in trays, observing fish behavior in response to feeding, cleaning, and husbandry operations, determining feed regiments, treating fish disease, collecting and recording data (hard copy and digital), general maintenance and fish hatchery upkeep, use of hand, power, and landscaping tools, and minor repairs on hatchery equipment.

The Fish Technicians will work as part of a collaborative hatchery team and are expected to demonstrate a positive, can-do attitude, strong work ethic, adaptability, and willingness to assist wherever needed to support fish health, staff safety, and mission success. They will receive training in daily hatchery routines, working directly with hatchery biologists and management.

By the end of the internship, the Fish Technicians will have contributed directly to improved production tracking, fish health monitoring, and operational efficiency while gaining hands-on experience in federal aquaculture and conservation programs.

Housing is available for the Fish Technicians during their term.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Assist hatchery crew in providing daily care to fish in an aquaculture facility, including breeding, rearing, and/or growing fish in tanks or raceways.
• Observe fish behavior in response to feeding, cleaning, and husbandry operations.
• Determine feed regiments, treat fish disease, and collect and record data.
• Care for fertilized eggs in trays.
• Use databases and reporting systems to store, compile, and analyze data from studies.
• Collect biological samples ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, transport and delivery of samples taken.
• Prepare segments of recurring reports such as monthly activities and progress reports on individual projects.
• Complete assignments and general maintenance required for general fish hatchery upkeep.
• Perform maintenance using simple hand tools or power equipment, landscaping tools (grass mowers, shrub trimmers, etc.), and other tools.
• Conduct minor repairs on hatchery equipment.
• Assist with tours for school groups and visitors.
• Develop news release drafts for area media and/or develop and deliver informational and/or environmental education programs to individuals, local organizations, and schools.
• Provide basic information on fish and wildlife resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to groups and individuals.
• Participate in kids fishing events.
• Educate public on USFWS & Tribal laws, regulations, and polices pertaining to the protection of fish.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• A self-starter that demonstrates professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance.
• Valid driver’s license (must be over 21 OR have had license for 3 years if under 21).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Punctuality and consistent attendance for duration of term.
• Interest in conservation biology, endangered species, and resource management.
• Positive attitude and adaptability.
• Ability to work both alone and as part of a team.

Physical Requirements:

Environmental risks include extreme heat (summer months) wet/slippery surfaces, wildlife, extreme cold and snow (winter months), directly working in cool/cold water and working in muddy environments (ponds) for extended periods of time.

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 60 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. Some occasional weekend work may be necessary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

Member will receive an Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service that will have training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,176.50 with successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.

• Additional Benefit of $125 per week.
• Public Lands Corps Certificate*
• Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps.

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, or up to 35 if a military veteran, at the time the individual begins the term of service and must complete 640 service hours or more to qualify.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name:

This position reports to Craig Thomas, Project Leader, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

To Apply:  

Please submit a resume and cover letter along with the online application at https://azcorps.org/ip-positions.

If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org. 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.