Title: Aquatic Health Veterinarian
Position: Epidemiologist 3 (non-medical) 

Openings: Two (2)

Job Status: Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program: Fish Program – Fish Health Unit
Position Duty Station: Multiple

One position located in Spokane Valley, WA

One position located in Wenatchee, WA

This position, reporting to the Supervisor of the Fish Health Unit in the Fish Program, is responsible for maintaining fish and public health as a licensed veterinarian. The role involves compiling, maintaining, planning, conducting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting on issues related to fish health, including zoonotic and non-zoonotic pathogens, antibiotic resistance, and conducting epidemiological investigations at fish hatcheries and natural fish populations. It addresses risks associated with fish diseases, pathogen prevalence, immunological changes, environmental variables, and zoonotic impacts on human health. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW! 

Photo Caption: Coho with Necrotic Stomatitis – Photo Credit: WDFW

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Aquatic Health Veterinarians will:

Provide clinical support to assigned facilities to protect humans and fish from zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease: 

• Conduct zoonotic and non-zoonotic fish disease investigations for hatchery or wild morbidity and mortality events at designated hatcheries and watersheds within designated region.

• Recognize and detect non-zoonotic and potentially zoonotic fish pathogens.
• Recognize environmental factors or fish culture practices that may cause or contribute to fish disease.
• Collect the appropriate samples for detection, confirmation, and prevalence testing, ensuring that sampling is consistent with at least the Co-Managers Salmonid Disease Control Policy.  

• Determine appropriate preventive or corrective actions needed to mitigate fish morbidity or mortality, which may include vaccination and/or fish care procedural changes.
• Communicate 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 WSDA, WDOH, and USDA-APHIS, when known zoonotic pathogens are detected and confirmed.  

Serve as an expert in the specialized field of fish diseases: 

• Develops and implements agency policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure the safe, humane, legal, and effective use of drugs/chemicals in WDFW aquaculture facilities.
• Provides prescriptions and Veterinary Feed Directives (VFDs) for assigned facilities as needed and in accordance with their professional discretion and legal allowances.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: This job is comprised of approximately 60-80% field work (site visits, travel to meetings, and workshops, and forums throughout the State) and 20-40% office work. Field work may be performed during inclement weather, in difficult terrain, and with potentially diseased or dangerous animals. Employee will handle potentially dangerous animal drugs and be required to safely handle contaminated sharps (needles, darts, scalpel, blades) and other medical waste.  Laboratory work may also be required, including working with hazardous chemicals and pathogens (Biosafety Level 2).

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with some extended hours to evenings and weekends possible.

Travel Requirements: Travel on a frequent basis to hatcheries, field areas, and/or meetings/trainings approximately 3-4 days per week.

Customer Interactions: Will provide technical direction to internal and external program and Agency professional staff involving complex or controversial studies or projects; May have policy level negotiation, interaction, and discussion with other Agencies at both the State and Federal level.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) with license in good standing in Washington State (or obtain license within the first month of WDFW employment) And experience working with:

1. anadromous fish both in natural and aquaculture environments.
2. comprehensive understanding of pathogens including current issues in fish health, including the identification, transmission, prevention, clinical signs, and control of fish diseases and parasites, including those important to public and wildlife health.
3. the approval process for new government policies relating to veterinary drug use and fish health (specifically for anadromous fish).
4. and expertise in surgical and other veterinary procedures.

Plus:

• Expertise in conducting necropsies and collecting diagnostic samples in fish.
• Knowledge of fish pathogens that are known to cause zoonotic disease and that are known to occur in Washington State waters.
• Knowledge of Modern epidemiologic principles and practices including the symptoms, causes (common diseases faced by fish in Washington, including the identification, transmission, prevention, clinical signs, and control of such disease caused by pathogens and environmental conditions), means of transmission and methods of control of communicable, non-communicable, and chronic diseases, basic medical terminology.
• Experience with or knowledge of:
  1. Anadromous fish both in natural and aquaculture environments.
  2. Pathogens including current issues in fish health, including the identification, transmission, prevention, clinical signs, and control of fish diseases and parasites, including those important to public and wildlife health.
  3. The approval process for new government policies relating to veterinary drug use and fish health (specifically for anadromous fish).
  4. Surgical and other veterinary procedures. 

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Obtain First Aid Certification within three (3) months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

• One year experience in practice of aquatic veterinary medicine.
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Accreditation

• Experience preparing grant proposals and budgets.
• Experience prioritizing and making independent decisions on diverse issues.
• Experience with microbiology and pathophysiology.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate. Note: This cover letter will also be used to evaluate your written communication skills.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

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

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).

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and spouses of active-duty military personnel who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.   

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: 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. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov and reference the job number in the subject line.

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