FULL-TIME-NON-PERMANENT

9-month – Fish Hatchery Technician

Hatchery Division – Fish Program – Samish Hatchery

5585 Old Hwy 99 N Road, Burlington, WA

Anticipated state date is February 28th through November 30, 2021

We are seeking one (1) highly motivated and experienced Fish Hatchery Technician to work alongside a diverse team promoting the conservation of Washington State’s salmonid population.   This opportunity is in Skagit County.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) currently operates 87 hatchery facilities, the majority dedicated to producing salmon and/or steelhead. There are also 51 tribal hatcheries and 12 federal hatcheries that produce salmon and steelhead for harvest.   Hatcheries have operated in Washington State for more than a century, beginning with a facility on the Kalama River in 1895.

Our ideal candidate is a team player who respects and values the opinions of others, creating an inclusive cohesive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW. We are seeking applicants with excellent attention to detail, good communication skills and the use of sound judgement.

Fish Hatchery Technicians function as a part of the hatchery operations team in cultivating and rearing Pacific Salmon.

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Fish Culture 

Tasks include: 

• Adult fish handling
• Fish feeding
• Pond cleaning
• Collecting, sorting and spawning of adult and juvenile salmon.
• Vacuuming and pressure washing the ponds for cleaning
• Egg and fish sampling and picking, this includes weighing and counting salmon eggs and removing deformities and egg mortalities. (These duties require long periods of standing, careful attention to detail and protocols in often cold temperatures).

Record Keeping and Reporting

Tasks include: 

 Operation and Maintenance of Equipment

Tasks include: 

• Cleaning adult handling area, vehicles and hatchery buildings and bathrooms.
• Weed eating, raking, weeding hatchery grounds.
• Small equipment repair and maintenance.

 Public contact and Communications

Tasks include: 

• Responds to questions from visitors to the facility
• Conducts organized tours
• Interacts with the public in a polite, professional manner
• Identifies the best way to respond when faced with difficult-to-answer questions or when information is not readily obtainable
• Follows up to ensure that an answer was obtained

 WORKING CONDITIONS:

• All applicants applying for this position should understand that standby is a requirement for all positions in the Fish Hatchery Specialist series.

• Management may determine it is necessary to assign it in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the agency and as necessary to protect the resources of the agency and if assigned, it will be a requirement of the position.

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• The work environment is mainly outdoors under all weather conditions.
• Working in and around water is a daily occurrence.
• Lifting feed up to 44 pounds is a requirement.

 Schedule: 

Standby:  

• Standby is not assigned
• This position may require standby, the employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. While on standby this position will work ten days and be off 4.

 Travel Requirements: 

 Tools and Equipment: 

Customer Interactions:

License: 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High School diploma or GED
• Basic fish culture techniques; rearing procedures.
• Water dynamics (e.g. flows, flow patterns, availability, temperature, etc.)
• Basic math (add/subtract/multiply/divide); calculate and understand quantities and proportions.
• Computer knowledge; basic understanding of spreadsheets, word processing, database.
• Calibration of specialized instruments (e.g. scales, Dissolved Oxygen meters).
• Safe and proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of available resources and guides needed to help complete forms and documents correctly.
• Applicable agency policies and procedures.

 PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: 

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

In order to successfully apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions.  Many of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),   Vacation, Sick, and other Leave, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,   Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

UNION WAFHP:

These positions are in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Hatchery Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish Hatchery Professionals (WAFHP).

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and are encouraged to apply. 

 Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.

 This recruitment is essential to maintain animal husbandry, maintain hatchery operations to ensure fish/animals stay alive and associated testing/vet response etc.

*(Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks)

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.