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 Kalama River in 1895.   

With that in mind, 

Picture yourself rearing anadromous (fish born in freshwater who spend most of their lives in saltwater) and inland species of fish.  

These are opportunities to perform a variety of technical and scientific fish culture duties and hatchery related maintenance.

The optimal candidates take pride in their work, use sound judgment, and can work collaboratively.

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

(Gray Wolf Acclimation Site – Photo Credit: Jeff Gufler)

Our Fish Hatchery Specialist 2, 

• Feeds fish their calculated daily rations.
• Monitors fish behavior, fish health, eggs, and fish production.
• Administers therapeutants, calculates and administers drugs as prescribed.
• Cleans ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Collects fish tissue and fluid samples and records data.
• Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
• Accurately enters data into forms and spreadsheets (fish mortality, feed sheets, feed inventory, chemical usage).
• Identifies marked adults and collects tags/marks for bio sampling.
• Understands correct safety protocols for all hazardous chemicals/drugs used for all treatments and chemical storage/handling, i.e. formalin, peroxide, anesthetics, paint thinner, gas/diesel, potassium, and other chemicals).
• Monitors water quality parameters using dissolved oxygen meters (calibrates when needed) and chemicals such as Hach kits in order to insure a safe rearing environment.
• Performs fish inoculations, medical or chemical treatments as prescribed by the Fish Health Specialist.
• Contacts Fish Health Specialist when fish are showing signs of disease or illness and works closely with them in treating and diagnosing illness.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Work is performed outside, in all weather conditions.
  2. It includes walking, climbing, lifting, and carrying 50 pounds frequently.
• Schedule:   
  1. Typically, 40 hours per week.
  2. 8 hours per day with 10 days on and 4 days off.
  3. Workload demands may require work outside the assigned work hours and adjustment of work schedules.
  4. Schedule may include days, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Standby: 
  1. Standby duties have been assigned.
  2. A portion of the standby rotation will be at a remote site in a travel trailer.
  3. All applicants applying for this position should understand that standby is a requirement for all positions in the Fish Hatchery Specialist series.
  4. 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: 
  1. This position does not provide on-site housing.
• Customer Interactions:         
  1. Communicate effectively with the public and provide tours.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Basic fish culture techniques and rearing procedures.
• Water dynamics (flows, flow patterns, availability, temperature, etc.).
• Basic math (add/subtract/multiply/divide).
• Calculate and understand quantities and proportions.
• Computer knowledge, basic understanding of spreadsheets, and word processing.
• Calibration of specialized instruments (scales and dissolved oxygen meters).
• Safe, proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Safety regulations.

Certifications/Licenses: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

Knowledge of:

• Available resources/guides needed to help complete forms and documents correctly.

• Applicable agency policies and procedures including mission statement.

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:

• 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.  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 operations and fulfill WDFW’s legal obligations: maintain animal husbandry, maintain hatchery operations to ensure fish/animals stay alive and associated testing/vet response etc.

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.