FULL-TIME/PERMANENT

FISH HATCHERY SPECIALIST 3 (FHS3)

WDFW Hatcheries Division

Marblemount Hatchery

8318 Fish Hatchery Road

 Marblemount, WA

STANDBY DUTIES ARE NOT CURRENTLY ASSIGNED

 HOUSING IS NOT PROVIDED 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) currently operates 87 hatchery facilities, the majority dedicated to producing salmon and/or steelhead.   

Hatcheries have operated in Washington State for more than a century, beginning with a facility on the Cascade River in 1946.   

With that in mind, 

Picture yourself assisting the Operations Manager and Fish Hatchery Specialist 4 while leading a crew during the day-to-day facility operations.

This is an opportunity to assist in accomplishing the production program goals by contributing to the sport, tribal and commercial fisheries in Washington State.

The optimal candidate is a leader who takes pride in their work, uses sound judgment, and can work collaboratively.

We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated skills representing WDFW values of professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, and respect.

KEY DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Fish Culture 

Tasks include:  

• Carries out sound fish culture practices to meet program goals.
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to improve fish culture practices.
• Projects and monitors fish growth and feed requirements.
• Actively seeks to learn new fish culture practices.
• Administers and calculates medication levels prescribed to treat fish illness.
• Monitors egg and fish production
• Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants. Monitors fish behavior and health. Calculates amount of therapeutic drug to be administered when prescribed.
• Collects adult salmonids by netting, and snagging.
• Leads crew members in feeding, cleaning, and transferring fish, determines the proper rearing densities for ponding and planting fish.
• Plan and coordinate rearing densities, intra- and inter- facility transfers of fish, and releases to meet short- and long- range program goals.
• Consult with Fish Health Specialist to design and implement the protocols for drug treatments, record and report the results.
• Supervises the disposition of non-viable and surplus eggs, organizes the transfer of eggs.
• Directs the distribution of carcasses to contract vendors or agency approved entities.
• Collects genetic samples (Opercula punches, dorsal ray samples) for genetic population analysis.
• Calculates number of adults (Brood) needed using fecundity and mortality data to achieve egg take goals.
• Utilizes CO2, MS-222, clove oil, electro anesthesia, and electro narcosis to temporarily sedate fish for sampling, sorting, and spawning.
• Conducts live, lethal, air and matrix spawning operations.
• Determines which mature male and female Natural Origin Brood fish are needed to spawn to ensure that minimum integration rates are achieved into the hatchery populations.
• Collect various types of biological and environmental samples such as fish tissue, fish scales, ovarian fluid, water, and feed for transport to laboratories; sample preparation includes dissection, vacuum filtration, and aseptic technique.
• Coordinates on-station and off-site fish planting activities.
• Independently implements on site biological research projects to collect genetic samples, trains lower level staff in proper procedures in research protocols, as well as provides input into design changes driven by findings at the facility.

Crew Leader

Tasks Include:

·   Monitors projects/activities to ensure completion in a timely manner.

• Ensures that the staff is productive and well informed on activities.
• The lead responsible for safety rule compliance, training, documentation and ensures hazards are addressed.
• Serves as a leader and role model for staff, temporary workers, and volunteers.
• Demonstrates, instructs, and trains others in methods on how to complete tasks.
• Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement.
• Resolves issues and problems as they arise and responds to change.
• Plans daily and cyclic hatchery work schedules.
• Ensures that employees are trained in and in compliance of LMS safety issues.
• Ensures staff maintains records.
• Trains staff in Fish books and Share point data bases.
• Reviews and interprets the Future Brood Document.
• Communicates changes needed in FBD to the Operations manager and FHS-4
• Assess employee skills and knowledge and provide training as needed.
• Works with Federal, State, Tribal, and Co-op’s in the planning of fish transfer and releases.
• Agency liaison and project manager of the contracted crews during fish marking programs.
• Participates in the development of exams, interviewing and selecting employees for temporary and permanent positions.
• Acts as a supervisor coordinating workers during complicated adult spawning and surplus activities.
• Develop Facility Operations Manual, schedule monthly maintenance and ensure compliance with the Ops Manual.

Physical Operation and Maintenance of Facility 

Tasks Include: 

• Ensures that working components of the fish hatchery are kept in good condition (i.e. pumps & motors, vehicles, alarms, generators, flashlights)
• Identifies and communicates ways to improve the physical plant operation.
• Actively identifies safety hazards and acts or recommends remedies as appropriate.
• Ensures timely repairs to facility and infrastructure often requiring the ability to metal weld, cut and drill.
• When needed enters maintenance needs inti the JIRA system.
• Maintains the grounds in appearance and upkeep during seasonal events, requiring the ability to operate lawn mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, pressure washers, forklifts, tractors, generators, and carpentry power tools.
• Maintains facility bio security measures.
• Monitors water quality, quality rearing environments.
• Coordinates and implements annual set up and tear down of remote acclimation sites. · Manipulates incubation water temperatures during otolith marking and egg hatch timing.
• Assist in the design or redesign of hatchery facilities. · Management in the operation of fish traps and ladders.
•  Leads discussion with facilities staff to develop recommendations for improving efficiencies.
• Orders tools and supplies to meet facility needs.

Data Collection, Entry, Reporting, and Budgeting 

Tasks Include: 

• Collects data required by the program, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintains a facility filing system that is well organized and user-friendly.
• Ensures that staff are well informed on where and how to collect and record data.
• Leads others in accurately collecting and recording data.
• Demonstrates proficiency in use of personal computers and various applications.
• Accurate, professional, and timely expenditures tracking.
• Oversees others at the facility in collecting, compiling, and reporting all pertinent data
• Assist the FHS4 with annual budget setting process including fish feed, utilities, and supplies.
• Helps the FHS4 write, Reports, and submits annual hazardous chemical inventory to the DOE, county, and emergency responders.
• Helps the FHS4 write, review and implement HGMP’s necessary to maintain NOAA approval to operate the hatchery and release fish,
• Reports water quality and usage to the Department of Ecology

 Other Duties as assigned 

• Duties might include DMR’s, safety secretary, or other weekly/monthly responsibilities.
• Assists in all aspects of interviewing temporary employees, i.e. writing questions, reference checks, interviewing and making recommendations.
• Participates in technical committees, as the facility expert, when necessary.
• May be required to drive large trucks, and/or Pesticide Applicator License.
• Standby

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Outside in all weather conditions.
• Typically, the employee in this position will be working outside about 300 days a year and usually based on the remoteness of the facility will be working by himself or herself about 25% of the time.
• This employee will be required to work in all sorts of weather conditions whether it is raining, snowing, sunny, dark, cold, or hot.
• At times the Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50 lbs.

Schedule:   

• Typically, Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• The work hours can vary for this position at different times of year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.
• This position may require standby which means the employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. (When on standby this position will require the employee to work ten days on and be off 4 days).

Standby: 

• Standby duties are not currently assigned.
• 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 standby 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.

Housing:  

Travel Requirements: 

Tools & Equipment: 

• Perform mechanical tasks using power and hand tools.
• Lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, small and large fish transport trucks, passenger vehicles, adult fish pumps, adult fish counters.
• CWT identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine powered equipment, computers, and software.

Customer Interactions:          

• Communicate effectively with the public and volunteers.

• On a regular basis, interact with small community groups and individuals who visit the hatchery to answer questions and give tours.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid Driver’s License.
• Some positions may require a valid Class A or Class B Commercial Driver’s License
• Valid Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License.

OR

OR

OR

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 NOTES: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

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.  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.

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.

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