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 assisting the Operations Manager and Fish Hatchery Specialist 4 while leading a crew during the day-to-day facility operations.

This is an opportunity to assist in accomplishing the production program goals by contributing to the sport, tribal and commercial fisheries in Washington State.

The optimal candidate is a leader who takes pride in their work, uses sound judgment, and can work collaboratively.

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

Our Fish Hatchery Specialist 3, 

• Performs sound fish culture and data collection at Sunset Falls, Wallace River Hatchery and Snohomish Basin in order to meet program goals.
• Leads crew members in feeding, cleaning, and transferring fish – determines the proper rearing densities for ponding and planting fish.
• Determines which mature male and female Natural Origin Brood (Salmon, Steelhead) are needed to spawn to ensure that minimum integration rates are achieved into the hatchery populations.
• Independently implements on site biological research projects to collect genetic samples, trains staff in proper procedures in research protocols, as well as provides input into design changes driven by findings at the facility.
• Serves as a leader and role model for staff, temporary workers, and volunteers.
• Demonstrates, instructs, and trains others in methods on how to complete tasks.
• Ensures that the working components of Sunset Falls and Wallace River Hatchery are kept in good condition – including the physical operation and maintenance of facility upkeep.
• Effectively communicates with outside entities to implement agency-approved projects, as the facility subject matter expert.
• Collects data required from the program to ensure accuracy and timeliness – leads others in accurately collecting and recording data.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Work is performed outside, in all weather conditions.
  2. Facilities are remote, work may be performed alone and includes repetitively lifting at least 50 lbs.
• Schedule:   
  1. Typically, Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  2. Workload demands and weather conditions may require work outside the assigned work hours and adjustment of work schedules.
  3. This position may require standby which means the employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. (When on standby this position will require the employee to work ten days on and be off 4 days).
• Standby: 
  1. Standby duties are not currently assigned.
  2. All applicants applying for this position should understand that standby is a requirement for all positions in the Fish Hatchery Specialist series.
  3. 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.
• Travel Requirements: 
  1. Travel may be required for short periods of time to accomplish agency goals and required trainings.
• Tools & Equipment: 
  1. Perform mechanical tasks using power and hand tools.
  2. Lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, small and large fish transport trucks, passenger vehicles, adult fish pumps, adult fish counters.
  3. CWT identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine powered equipment, computers, and software.
• Customer Interactions:         
  1. Communicate effectively with the public and volunteers.
  2. On a regular basis, interact with small community groups and individuals who visit the hatchery to answer questions and give tours.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

          OR

          OR 

          OR

Please Note: 

Four years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the Bachelor’s degree.

Certifications/Licenses: 

1. Valid Driver’s License.
2. Some positions may require a valid Class A or Class B Commercial Driver’s License and a valid Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License.

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 current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

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.

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.

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