Burnett Inlet Hatchery Manager

Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) is recruiting for full-time Manager at the Burnett Inlet Hatchery, a remote hatchery located approximately 30 air miles from Wrangell, Alaska. The Burnett Inlet Hatchery is a central incubation facility for summer  (90Million eggs) and fall (18 million eggs) chum salmon. This position requires living on site in furnished subsidized rental housing.  Utilities include but are not limited to: weekly mail and supply flights, telephone service, satellite internet, and R&R hotel accommodations in Wrangell or Ketchikan.  The current staffing level is 4 permanent (including Manager) and up to 3 seasonal employees. 

The ideal candidate must exhibit the ability to lead by developing healthy working relationships throughout the corporation, sharing knowledge and skills in the process. Experience must include a solid foundation in hatchery operations including gamete collection, incubation operations, fish husbandry, saltwater rearing and egg/fry transport operations. Demonstrated ability to successfully lead a workforce. Excellent communication skills and an understanding of facility and equipment maintenance. 

Benefits include: health, dental, vision, life, long-term disability insurance, and participation in a 403b retirement plan.  SSRAA is an equal opportunity employer.  This posting will remain open until filled. The start date for this position begins in April 2026 and start date is negotiable. This posting will remain open until filled. 

Division: Production

FLSA Status: Exempt Salary

Reports to: Operations Manager

Location: Burnett Inlet

Summary of Position: Under the supervision of the Operations Manager the hatchery manager directs all aspects of hatchery operations at the Burnett Inlet Hatchery. Burnett Inlet is a remote, single species facility incorporating both freshwater and saltwater fish culture with a permanent staff consisting of two fish culture positions, one maintenance supervisor, and two seasonal staff. This position is also responsible for coordination and oversight of staff and contractors with other remote sites as assigned.      

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Directs the freshwater and marine fish culture programs to meet or exceed the production goals for each species as presented in the annual management plan.
• Prepares the operations and capital budgets for the hatchery and is responsible for the most efficient disbursement of those funds to accomplish production goals.
• Develops and maintains a well trained staff that is proficient in modern salmon culture techniques and duties and to be responsible for directing and evaluating facility personnel and their safety.
• Prepares and submits monthly reports for the facility listing status of inventory by brood year, species, rearing type, mortality, growth rate compared to expected and feed conversions.
• Submits and coordinates annually a list of construction and maintenance requirements of the facility and equipment.   
• Initiates and/or coordinates with SSRAA staff or outside entities to test or improve upon fish culture and hatchery techniques to maintain a high level of innovation for the hatchery and other SSRAA programs. 
• Coordination with cost recovery operations
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills & Abilities Required:

• Minimum of an Associates degree in fisheries, aquaculture or related field.
• Demonstrated work history in fisheries, aquaculture or related field with management experience 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Working knowledge of budgeting processes.
• Experience in thermal marking.
• Knowledge of local fisheries and hatchery enhancement
• Experience with public speaking, outreach and/or tourism

Preferable, but not required skills and experience:

• Understanding of maintenance and construction including mechanical, electrical, carpentry and plumbing.
• Ability to assist in the maintenance and development of the sites.
• BS in fisheries, aquaculture or related field.
• Four years or more of previous managerial experience

  Core Competencies:

• Belief in SSRAA’s mission statement.
• Must be able to multi-task, coordinate with fellow employees, outside individuals and entities.
• Must be able to recognize critical components of a process and adapt as needed.
• Ability to work as a team or individually, be a problem solver and build consensus.
• Maintain confidentiality when appropriate.
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Must be able to identify and manage risk, develop and adhere to safety protocols

Reporting to this position: Permanent staff of three and seasonal staff of two.

Physical demands: Often work in cold, wet conditions. Ability to lift in excess of 50 pounds and do strenuous physical and mental activities. Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Many fish culture related jobs require repetitive motions, awkward positioning and immersion of hands in cool/cold water.

Work environment: Must be able to work in inclement weather and be capable of responding to alarm situations at any time, will occasionally require work on holidays and weekends, and will require occasional travel. Position requires living on site.   

SSRAA is a growing organization changing as needed to best address its goals. Any description of work is a picture of the major responsibilities of a position at a given point in time. Jobs are dynamic and assignments/priorities may change. This position description is not intended or implied to be an employment contract but is a communication tool to explain the responsibilities, advertise the job, and identify performance measures and potential training needs. SSRAA is an at-will employer.