Full-Time/Permanent 

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 – (With In-training option)

Hatchery Division – Fish Program

8319 Fish Hatchery Lane, Marblemount, WA

This recruitment is for permanent Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 in the Fish Program, Hatchery Division.

This recruitment is essential to maintain operations and fulfill WFDW’s legal obligations.  Essential and critical function:  Maintain animal husbandry, maintain hatchery operations to ensure fish/animals stay alive and associated testing/vet response etc.

Marblemount Hatchery

You love Washington’s beautiful outdoors you care about their resources and you are willing to do the hard work it takes to care for them.

We are seeking one (1) highly motivated and experienced Fish Hatchery Specialist to work alongside a diverse team to support salmon conservation while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational opportunities in the state of Washington.

We are recruiting to hire at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2 level and we will train a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 up to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.
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

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) currently operates 75 hatchery facilities, the majority dedicated to producing salmon and/or steelhead. There are also 40 tribal hatcheries and 12 federal hatcheries that produce salmon and steelhead for harvest.   Hatcheries have operated in Washington State for more than a century, beginning with a facility on the Kalama River in 1895.

Our ideal candidate is a team player who respects and values opinions of others and creating an inclusive cohesive environment where every team member knows the value they bring to each project and to WDFW. We are seeking applicants with excellent attention to detail, good communication skills and the use of sound judgement.

Duties

In-Training Plan-The FHS1 performs a variety of technical and scientific fish culture duties, performs hatchery related maintenance, and participates in an agency supervised fish culture training program.  Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month in-training plan, the selected candidate will automatically be promoted to a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.

KEY DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Calculates and feeds according to pond populations and weight samples. Adjust feed size and amount fed as needed.
• Monitors fish behavior and health.
• Monitors egg and fish production and disinfects and enumerates eggs.
• Administers therapeutants, calculates and administers drugs as prescribed.
• Identifies, sorts and samples for spawning and adult distribution.
• Cleans ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Collects fish tissue and fluid samples for Fish Health Specialists without contaminating samples.
• Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
• Pick egg loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments.
• Collects adult mortality and fill out correct head eggs for broodstock and enter data into hatchery documents and fish books.
• Identify all targets 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 protocol and HGMP requirements.
• Track temperature units (TU’s) and monitors chillers to adjust TU’s, including tracking thermal marks.
• Calibrate formalin treatments based on flows.
• Loads fish for transport using a variety of methods such as: electric fish pump, brail and crane.
• Monitors dissolved oxygen levels when in order to maintain proper carrying capacity of rearing units.
• Demonstrates proficiency with computerized forms and software in order to perform various aspects of hatchery work, including data entry, recordkeeping, reporting.
• Performs water quality analysis and discharge monitoring reports (DMR) as required by the Department of Ecology to maintain hatchery discharge    permits (NPDES).
• Monitors water quality parameters using dissolved oxygen meters (calibrates when needed) to insure a safe rearing environment.
• Monitors and maintains facility support systems (i.e., diesel generators, alarm panels and other support systems.
• Actively identifies safety hazards and acts or recommends remedies as appropriate.
• Store and use tools and equipment properly.
• Conducts organized tours.
• Responds to questions from visitors to the facility.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• 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 it 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.

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Most of the work is preformed outside in various weather conditions.
• Standing in cold water much of the time sorting fish and eggs.
• Performing strenuous physical activities.
• Ability to lift-up to 50 pounds.

Schedule: 

• The schedule will be Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, hours can vary greatly at different times of year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.
• Some weekend work may be required.

 Housing  

• There is no agency housing available for this position.

Licenses

• An valid unrestricted driver’s license
• A valid Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License may be required, and recertification of this license is required during a 5-year period.
• This position may require a Washington State Boaters Education Card.

Standby:   

Travel:   

Tools and Equipment:  

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

Customer Interactions:  

• Communicate effectively with public and volunteers.
• Employee will interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis.  

 Union – WAFHP:  

This position is 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).

Qualifications

Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1:  

• Associate degree in fisheries technology or closely allied field and one year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery, OR
• Three years of education towards a bachelor’s degree in fisheries or closely allied field and one year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery, OR
• Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery. OR
• Three 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): 

• One year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program. OR 
• Three years of education towards a bachelor’s degree in fisheries or closely allied field and one year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery, OR
• Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery. OR
• Three years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.
• A valid unrestricted driver’s license is required.  

Preferred Qualifications 

Supplemental Information

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.  Many of our staff are currently working from home; 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.
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.  Many of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE: 
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• 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

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.  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.