Conservation Hatchery Intern

Position Summary 

Interns will learn all aspects of caring for endangered Atlantic salmon from seven populations and maintaining a modern conservation hatchery. Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery is the premier Atlantic salmon hatchery operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The opportunities to learn about Atlantic salmon, conservation efforts and cold-water fish culture are unparalleled.

Location 

East Orland, ME

Schedule 

Aug 24, 2026 – April 7, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• 40%: Primary duties, performed throughout the internship period, include cleaning of rearing units, tanks and pools, rearing unit repairs, pressure washing rearing areas, grounds maintenance, and other general maintenance as required.
• 30%: Secondary duties include feeding juvenile and adult broodstock and learning to calculate feed rates, monitoring growth of future broodstock, conducting routine biological sampling, maintaining automated feeders and hand feed containers.
• 15%: Seasonal duties include releasing juvenile salmon [May], transporting adult salmon from a trapping facility to the hatchery [May – July], collecting biological samples for disease screening and genetic characterization [May – July], tagging juvenile future broodstock [July], electrofishing to collect juvenile salmon [September], and spawning adult Atlantic salmon [November – December].
• 10%: Interns will also assist with seasonal activities at Green Lake National Fish Hatchery including moving fry to outside rearing areas [May-June], collecting growth data and distributing parr amongst outside rearing areas [July-August], grading fall parr and parr distribution to the rivers [September].
• 5%: Opportunities to assist with other FWS, NPS, and State of Maine offices are currently being developed.

Marginal Duties 

Craig Brook NFH has a large visitor center and actively engages the public. Interns will be asked to participate in/provide tours to the general public and visiting school groups. Interns may also be asked to participate in meetings of our friends group, local lake associations and our local 4H fishing club.

Required Qualifications 

Course work: biology, ecology, fisheries science, aquaculture and related subjects.

Some experience in fisheries or aquaculture is strongly preferred.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications 

• A strong interest in fisheries management, hatchery operation or aquaculture.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team of peers as well as on independent projects.
• Willingness to work in challenging environmental conditions including heat, cold, uneven walking surfaces, and working in and around water [plan on getting wet a lot!].

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Shared on-site housing is a ranch-style house with co-ed living space, three private bedrooms and one bathroom. The house includes a full kitchen, furnished living room, and dining area. The house is outfitted with basic eating utensils, cooking equipment, microwave, toaster and coffeemaker. Interns are required to provide their own bedding (including sheets, blankets, comforters and pillows) and bath linens.

Compensation  

$400 – Weekly Living Allowance; $1,100 – Relocation Travel Grant (car required). • Housing provided on-site.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Required