For more information, please follow this link: https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-epidemiologist-1—fish-health-specialist—permanent—03128-22-ephrata-washington/3345307112?utm_source=ongage&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=regular

Salary–  $62,748.00 – $82,344.00 Annually

Duties

Our Fish Health Specialist,

Clinical Health Monitoring: Provides clinical support to assigned facilities in an effort to protect humans and fish from zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease. With funding, conduct research designed to improve the fish disease diagnostic capacities especially for those with zoonotic potential. Occasional screening and diagnosis of wild fish.  Tasks include:

  • Conducts zoonotic and non-zoonotic fish disease investigations for hatchery or wild morbidity and mortality events at designated hatcheries and watersheds within regions 1, 2, & 3. Includes conducting surgical and other pathologist-related procedures.
  • Conducts necropsies; collect, process, and submit appropriate specimens; and interpret findings from fish and wildlife morbidity and mortality investigations.
  • May be required to euthanize animals using methods approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
  • Recognizes and detects non-zoonotic and potentially zoonotic fish pathogens, including viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic pathogens.
  • Recognizes environmental factors, including toxicants, or fish culture practices that may cause or contribute to fish disease.
  • Collects the appropriate samples for detection, confirmation, and prevalence testing, ensuring that sampling is consistent with at least the Co-Managers Salmonid Disease Control Policy for regions 1, 2, & 3.
  • Trains hatchery staff to correctly obtain samples when this position is unavailable. Directs hatchery staff to maintain compliance with the Policy when carrying out their fish culture duties.
  • Ensures that for all stocks samples are taken properly, and they are packaged and labeled correctly for transport to the laboratory.
  • When working with Veterinary Feed Directives (VFDs) and prescribed therapeutants, follows directions from VOR (Veterinarian of Record) and advises VOR as to effects of treatments.
  • Communicates with hatchery staff and federal or tribal co-managers when regulated or reportable pathogens, as defined by the Policy, are detected and confirmed, and with appropriate state and federal public health agencies, including, but not limited to Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), Washington Department of Health (WDOH), and United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), when known zoonotic pathogens are detected and confirmed.

Fish Health Support to the Fish Program: Serves as an expert in the specialized field of fish diseases, monitoring non-zoonotic and zoonotic fish pathogens and disease at assigned facilities, identifying disease by determining when the presence of fish pathogens is detrimental to a specific stock and determines if prescribed or non-prescribed treatment is warranted, and when the presence of zoonotic fish pathogens may affect human health; when necessary determines fish treatment or prevention plans.  Tasks include:

  • Implements agency policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure the safe, humane, legal, and effective use of drugs/chemicals in WDFW aquaculture facilities, under the supervision of the VOR.
  • Works with supervisory VOR to make certain that microbial resistance to the therapeutants is considered. This is particularly important if the class of therapeutant used is also used when treating human disease. When antimicrobial resistance is detected, ensure that appropriate federal, state, and tribal fish and public health agencies are notified.
  • Under the direction of the VOR, ensures the guidelines regarding drug residue withdrawal periods (that specify the amount of drug legally permitted in the edible tissue of fish), are effectively communicated to hatchery staff who are responsible for compliance to protect against premature release of tainted fish into public fisheries.
  • Monitors the use of Investigational New Animal Drug (INADs) for assigned facilities and work with the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership (AADAP) Program in conducting studies recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support approval of New Animal Drugs in fish.
  • Conducts training events and online videos to support continuing education to the Fish Hatchery Specialists.
  • In conjunction with the supervisor, may review and gather supporting documentation for private aquaculture transfer permits these documents may include pathogen reports, permit provisions, escape, or biosecurity plans.

Epidemiological Research and Monitoring: Gross anatomical and molecular-based health research on fish in Washington to evaluate health, disease, prevalence of zoonotic and non-zoonotic fish pathogens, genetic effects (immunological gene expression) associated with survival, and changes in environmental and fish microbiomes as they relate to population health.

  • Compiles, maintains, and analyzes fish health data and reports and identifies causative agents or conditions resulting in adverse fish health conditions.
  • Proposes, plans, coordinates, and implements epidemiological studies of morbidity and mortality in fish.
  • Analyzes, interprets, and applies findings from disease surveillance programs; formulates and justify conclusions and recommendations based on current scientific principles.