Full-Time/Permanent 

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

Hatchery Division – Fish Program – Hatchery Division

Beaver Creek Hatchery

28 Beaver Creek Road

Cathlamet, WA 98612

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.

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:

Fish Culture 

Tasks include: 

• Feeds fish their calculated daily ration
• Monitors fish behavior and health
• Monitors egg and fish production
• Administers therapeutants, calculates and administers drugs as prescribed
• 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 as directed and records data
• Collects fish tissue and fluid samples and records data
• Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants

Recordkeeping and Reporting 

Tasks include: 

• Enters data into forms, Fishbooks and spreadsheets; demonstrates proficiency with computerized forms and accuracy in recordkeeping (fish mortality, feed sheets, feed inventory, chemical usage).
• Fills out standard report forms.  Accurately fills out agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice tickets, etc.
• Submits complete and accurate forms as required also utilizing Fishbooks reporting.
• Assist in developing in-house forms

Operation and Maintenance of Facility 

Tasks include: 

• Monitors water flow and quality parameters; takes water samples and readings, e.g. dissolved gases, suspended settleable solids, and other parameters as required.
• Maintains proper water flow and rearing environments
• Responds to alarms, determining and taking appropriate action
• Monitors and maintains facility support systems
• Actively identifies safety hazards and takes action or recommends remedies as appropriate

Operation and Maintenance of Equipment 

Tasks include: 

• Drives a planting truck to and from planting sites (CDL required).
• Organizes and maintains hatchery tools, equipment, and grounds
• Communicates safety concerns in a timely and accurate manner (management to staff and staff to management)
• Uses tools and equipment properly and safely
• Stores tools and equipment properly

Public Contact and Communications 

Tasks include: 

• Responds to questions from visitors to the facility
• Conducts organized tours
• Interacts with the public in a polite, professional manner
• Identifies the best way to respond when faced with difficult-to-answer questions or when information is not readily obtainable
• Follows up to ensure that an answer was obtained

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:

• Work outside in all weather conditions
• Perform strenuous physical activities, follow instructions and complete assigned tasks, gather and compile data, use sound judgment, and assist in training entry level employees

Schedule: 

Housing: 

• Agency housing is available for this position.

Customer Interactions:  

Licenses

• A valid driver’s license
• CDL license is a requirement for this position or the ability to obtain license within 6-months of hire.
• Some position requires a valid Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License, and recertification of this license is required during a 5-year period.  

Note:  As a condition of employment for this job and in accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Rules and the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, the selected candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment drug testing as well as queries for any violations of drug and alcohol regulations during prior employment and through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Clearinghouse. Candidates will be disqualified for employment if they refuse to submit to/or fail this pre-employment testing or refuse to provide consent for violations queries. After employment, employees in this job will be subjected to ongoing random drug/alcohol testing, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return to duty and follow-up testing as well as an annual query of the Clearinghouse.

Standby:   

• Standby is assigned at this time.
• This position requires standby, the employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. While on standby this position will work ten days and be off 4.

Tools and Equipment:  

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  

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: 
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.  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.

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:

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).

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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

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.

 *(Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks)

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