Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:

 Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 – $2864.00 – $3701.00 

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 – $3144.00 – $4083.00

Duties

Our Fish Hatchery Specialist 2, 

• Calculates and feeds fish according to pond populations and weight samples – adjusts feed size and amount fed as needed. 
• Monitors fish behavior/health, egg and fish production and disinfects and enumerates eggs. 
• Identifies, sorts, and samples species for spawning and adult distribution. 
• Cleans ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health. 
• Identifies marked adults and collects tags/marks for bio sampling.
• Records data and is able to identify multiple marks by sight, UV lights or mechanical devices. 
• Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples, and plants. 
• Picks eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments. 
• Collects adult fish by hook and line, seining, and volunteer or non-volunteer fish trap. 
• Collects adult mortality and fills out correct head tags for brood stock and enters data into hatchery documents and fish books. 
• Identifies all targeted and non-targeted species, gender, stock origin and condition of maturity when trapping and spawning adults. 
• Fertilizes eggs with sperm, according to pre-determined ratios using established spawning protocols and Hatchery Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) requirements.
• Surpluses and distributes adult carcasses to contract buyer based on condition. 
• Tracks temperature units (TU’s) and monitors heath stacks to adjust TU’s, including tracking thermal marks. 
• Receives eggs and samples and distributes them into rearing vessels at correct loadings as well as ponds fry according to proper TU’s.
• Incubates eggs using vertical trays and magnums. 
• Accurately fills out and submits agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms and other relevant forms.
• Performs standby which requires responding to alarms and taking appropriate action to preserve facility programs, tests alarms and reports failures to agency personnel.
• Performs maintenance duties in/round hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment. 
• Operate fork-lifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pumps and common power tools.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:    
  1. Outside in all weather conditions. 
  2. Office when the work requires it.
• Schedule:   
  1. Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. 
  2. The work hours can vary greatly at different time of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions. 
  3. Standby duties may be assigned – this includes overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. While on standby this position will work ten days and be off 4 days.
• Travel Requirements: 
  1. Travel may be required in order to accomplish agency goals.
• Tools and Equipment: 
  1. Perform mechanical tasks using power and hand tools.
  2. Frequently use of lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments.
  3. Safely drive transport trucks, passenger vehicles.
  4. Operate adult fish pumps, adult fish counters, CWT identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine, computers, and software.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Communicate effectively with public and volunteers.
  2. Regular interactions with small community groups and individual constituents.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1:

          OR

          OR

Please Note: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.

Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (Goal Class):

OR 

OR 

OR 

Please Note: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.

For all of the above: 

Certifications/Licenses: 

• A valid driver’s license is required.
• A valid Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License, and recertification of this license is required during a 5-year period (must be obtained 1 year upon hire).
• This position may require standby.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

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 cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).

IMPORTANT NOTES:

On Monday August 9, 2021, Governor Inslee enacted Proclamation 21-14which requires that all employees of all state agencies not headed by an elected official be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021 as a condition of employment. Fully vaccinated includes the two-week waiting period after the last shot in each series, or single shot, is given. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide verification of COVID vaccination. A list of acceptable documents to provide verification can be reviewed here. Vaccination acceptable documents link (Download PDF reader)

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. 

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