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. 
• 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. 
• Picks eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments. 
• 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.
• Tracks temperature units (TU’s) and monitors heath stacks to adjust TU’s, including tracking thermal marks. 
• Loads fish for transport using a variety of methods such as: electric fish pumps, brails, and cranes.
• Accurately fills out and submits agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms and other relevant forms.
• 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. Work includes performing strenuous physical activities and is performed indoors and outdoors in variable conditions – including adverse weather.
• Schedule: 
  1. Typically, Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  
  2. Workload demands may require work outside the assigned work hours/days and adjustment of work schedules.
  3. Standby duties are currently assigned – standby entails the employee being responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day after the regular 8-hour shift. While on standby this position will work ten days on and be off 4 days.
• Standby:  
  1. All applicants applying for this position should understand that standby is a requirement for all positions in the Fish Hatchery Specialist series.  
  2. 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. Housing is provided for this position.
• In-Training Plan: 
  1. 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.  
  2. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month in-training plan, the selected candidate will automatically be promoted to a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.
• Travel Requirements: 
  1. Travel may be required in order to accomplish agency goals. 
• Tools and Equipment: 
  1. Power and hand tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, transport trucks, and passenger vehicles. 
  2. Adult fish pumps, adult fish counters, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engines, computers, and software.
• Customer Interactions: 
  1. Communicate effectively with the public and volunteers – interact with small community groups and individuals on a regular basis.

This Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited hatchery and fish culture experience.  

Candidates will be hired as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2, dependent on skills and experience.

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: 

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).
• A current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

On Monday August 9, 2021, Governor Inslee enacted Proclamation 21-14 which 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) (Download PDF reader)

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.

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

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 Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

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).