Job Description: Fisheries workers, Fish Fillet Staff Come and join our team! Be part of native fish conservation on Flathead Lake. CS&KT Fisheries Program is hiring employees for the primary task of filleting fish and secondary task of general fisheries work. The employees will be hired under emergency hire with the tribal personnel office. Employees are needed to work variable shifts, up to 40 hours per week, depending on weather, at the Blue Bay fisheries facility. Work will begin the week of March 14th and continue until mid-August. Shifts will be Monday-Sunday and will be arranged in advance with the supervisor. Salary will be $16.25/hr. Applicants are required to have a valid driver’s license, must be able to lift 50 lbs., and must have a dependable means of transportation to and from Blue Bay. Experience in identification of fish species, filleting fish/and or food preparation, is helpful but not a requirement-training will be provided. Duties may include but are not limited to: assisting in collection and counting of fish at Blue Bay and other collection sites, recording numbers and lengths of fish, filleting, bagging, and storage of fish. Other duties may include: repair of research nets, cleaning of boats, boat house, delivery of processed fish, assisting with netting of fish on Flathead Lake, and other related duties as assigned. TO APPLY: Fish Fillet Applications are available at the CSKT Personnel Department. Applications must be received at CSKT Personnel Dept. P.O. Box 278 Pablo MT 59855-406-675-2700 by March 1st. Questions, contact: CSKT Fisheries @ 883-2888 ext. 7294. CSKT is an Indian Preference employer.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
CSKT Fish Processor
Natural Resources Department-Fisheries
Background
Harvesting of non-native lake trout began in 2002 and has increased each year. Management tools include anglers and netting to restore balance and bring diversity back to the fishery of Flathead Lake as called for in the Flathead Lake Co-Management Plan. The plan calls for a slow reduction of non-native lake trout. CSKT Fisheries staff has been processing the fish for distribution to food banks in the Flathead Valley from Whitefish to Missoula and for a retail market. We anticipate continual growth in the fishing events and the netting program and expect the 2024 Spring Event and netting season to be no exception.
Duties include but are not limited to:
• Assist in collecting and counting fish as they are turned in, identification of different species of fish, including bull trout.
• Assist recording numbers and lengths of fish using proper technique
• Filleting, cleaning, bagging, storage, & delivery of fish turned in using proper and safe techniques and instructions given by fisheries staff
• Cleaning and sanitization of fish preparation areas, coolers, and boat house area-keeping areas clean, equipment clean, floors swept, garbage disposed of, etc.
• Off-loading of fish, assisting anglers, or loading of fish or fish by-products from or into vehicle or boat for delivery or disposal.
• Assisting in food preparation and conducting the awards ceremony
• Examining fish and identifying tagged fish
• Loading and unloading fish from a walk-in freezer operating at -10 degrees. Be prepared with jacket, sweatshirt, hat, etc.
• Construction and repairing of gill nets used for fisheries research.
• Assisting with gillnetting on Flathead Lake from the netting boat.
• Campground clean up and monitoring
Qualification Requirements: Employees must be versatile and willing to perform various tasks that are involved with the processing of fish, including off-loading, cleaning, freezing, packaging, warehousing and shipping. All work tasks require physical stamina. Working conditions depend upon the tasks assigned. They could be noisy where machines are operating, wet where fish are being cleaned, and cold where fish are being frozen and packaged, or all of the above. The work is repetitive due to the volumes of fish and the mechanization of the process. Most tasks involve working long hours while standing at a workstation. Periodically, workers rotate from one workstation to another to give everyone some variety. Workers need to get along well with other people, follow directions, and abide by safety and health rules. We are processing food for human consumption, and follow strict regulations for processing and cleanliness, including personal hygiene for each employee.
Direction Received:
• Will work under the supervision of fisheries staff in charge of Mack Days Event and the netting program at the Blue Bay fish working area.
• You will need to provide your own lunch-coffee/tea provided. Microwave and hot plate available.
Supervision Exercised:
• None
Working Relationships:
• Fish processors will receive direction from fisheries staff, and will have direct contact with the public and must be able to interact with them.
• Staff is expected to work independently to keep work areas clean, washing coolers, sinks, equipment, etc. as needed. Being a self-starter is important-cell phone use must be kept at a minimum. Smoke breaks kept to a minimum.
• Frequent clean-ups, during shifts and after, including floor mopping.
Mack Days are held Monday-Sundays-March 17th to May 15th. Staff days and shifts will be staggered during that time to accommodate schedules.
• Dates for work may extend for a longer period of time after the end of the fishing event.
• Working hours will typically begin at 9:00 or 10 am Monday through Thursday, and 2:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday, except when staff are notified in advance of changes, and will continue until fish are processed and stored in freezers each evening and area is cleaned and sanitized or until fisheries staff deems otherwise-9:00 pm is a targeted closing time when we are working weekends-clean up by 9:30.
Training:
• Current driver’s license,
• Good physical condition
• Knowledge of food preparation and sanitation would be useful.
• Experience filleting fish helpful but not necessary
• Record keeping helpful but not necessary
Knowledge
• Some knowledge of fish filleting/cleaning would be helpful
• Ability to identify fish species of Flathead Lake-you can learn as you go
Abilities/Skills
• Must be able to demonstrate a high level of dependability and self discipline relative to being on site at the appropriate time and place
• Must be reliable and dependable
• Must be able to follow directions
• Must be able to communicate questions effectively and work in a crew environment
• Must be able to work safely with knifes and machinery
• Must be able to work weekends and evenings
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Must be able to stand for several hours while processing
• Must be in good health and able to work in a food safe environment
• Must be able to drive a fisheries vehicle to fish collection sites when needed.
• Must be able to load & deliver coolers of fish to food banks when needed
• Fish fillet staff works as a team and depends on staff being on site when scheduled
Hours of Work
The length of the workday varies depending on the availability of fish. Employees should be prepared to work up to 6-10 hour days, and should be aware there could be days with little or no work. We are weather dependent: cold, windy, days mean small numbers of fish.
Application for Fall CSKT Fish Processing Staff
Monday-Sunday- Mack Days will begin March 14th and end May 11th --netting will continue into mid-August-shifts will be arranged to fit schedules of fillet staff-up to 40 hours/week-depending on weather staff may be needed earlier.
Name: _____________________________________________________________________________
Last First Middle
Phone: ( ) _______________ Cell: ( ) ________________ Msg.: ( ) _____________
Mailing Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Street or P.O. Box City State Zip
Date of Birth: _____/_____/______ Age__________
Are you enrolled in the CS&K Tribes? YES ____ NO ____ If YES, give enrollment # __________
If you are not enrolled-are either of your parents enrolled? YES_____NO_____
If YES, give enrollment # __________ DO YOU POSESS A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE? YES ____ NO ____ Copy required. Do you have reliable transportation to Blue Bay? YES _______ NO_______
If NO, please explain how you will travel back and forth for work hours.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A MISDEMEANOR? Yes_______ No_______
If YES, please explain the offense(s), the date(s) committed and penalties/fines imposed: ____________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY? Yes_______ No_______
If YES, please explain the offense(s), the date(s) committed and penalties/fines imposed: ____________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
Can you work evenings? YES/NO Can you work weekends? YES/NO
Can you work weekdays? YES/NO Can you lift 50 lbs.? YES/NO
The work hours will vary depending on the amount of fish turned in during the day. Most days we will begin at 10:00 or 2:00 and finish between 7:00 & 9 in the evening. There may be a need for someone to help with netting and begin at 7:00 in the morning. Can you work early or stay later if needed?
Early: YES _____ NO _____ Later: YES_____NO______
Pulling nets and repairing of gill nets, cleaning work areas, garbage patrol, etc. are duties we will be responsible for during times we are not filleting fish. Are you willing to do these types of duties? YES ______ NO ______
IF NO, please explain_________________________________________________________________
You will be working with other staff that will depend on you being on time, being dependable, and reporting to work during shifts assigned. Working as a team each staff member will have duties to cover to make the fish processing successful. Are you willing to commit to working your shifts as assigned? YES _____ NO_____
IF NO, please explain________________________________________________________________
Are there any times you may not be available to be scheduled to work?_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
All staff working for CSKT Fisheries work under Personnel Ordinance 69C and are accountable to themselves and the tribal policies/rules contained in it. Are you willing to follow the Personnel Ordinance?
YES _______ NO ________
Have you been employed by CSKT Fisheries in the past?
YES ________NO _______
If YES, please explain when and the length of your employment. ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
If yes, were you able to finish the length of your employment time? YES _______ NO _______
If NO, please explain__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Staff will be required to handle fish in a professional and humane manner. We ask that everyone be courteous and helpful to anglers, and assist them when needed. Aprons, hats, and gloves will be available to be worn when processing fish, hair must be pulled back or covered, and we ask that your clothes be clean and appropriate. Fisheries staff will be required to work closely with the anglers/public during the event. You are representing the fisheries program and CSKT Tribes.
Do you agree to work following these guidelines?
YES ________ NO ________
I am signing this Fish Process Staff Hiring Application with the knowledge that I understand and agree to the above hiring policies.
______________________ __________
Signature of Applicant Date Signed
OFFICE USE ONLY
Date/Time Called (#1) Date/Time Called (#2) Date/Time Called (#3)
____________________ ____________________ ____________________