Our Fish Hatchery Specialist 3, 

• Projects and monitors fish growth/feed requirements, administers and calculates medication levels prescribed to treat fish illness.
• Monitors egg and fish production – performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
• Monitors fish behavior and health – calculates amount of therapeutic drug to be administered when prescribed.
• Leads crew members in feeding, cleaning, and transferring fish, determines the proper rearing densities for ponding and planting fish.
• Plans and coordinates rearing densities, intra- and inter- facility transfers of fish, and releases to meet short- and long- range program goals.
• Acts as a supervisor coordinating workers during complicated adult spawning and surplus activities.
• Collects genetic samples (Opercula punches, Dorsal ray samples) for genetic population analysis.
• Calculates number of adults (Brood) needed using fecundity and mortality data to achieve egg take goals.
• Collects various types of biological and environmental samples such as fish tissue, fish scales, ovarian fluid, water, and feed for transport to laboratories – sample preparation includes dissection and aseptic technique.
• Independently implements on site biological research projects to collect genetic samples, trains lower-level staff in proper procedures in research protocols, as well as provides input into design changes driven by findings at the facility.
• Ensures that working components of the fish hatchery are kept in good condition (i.e., pumps & motors, vehicles, alarms, generators, flashlights).
• Keeps supervisor and management well-informed on production issues that may lead to fish health concerns or program shortfalls.
• Oversees others at the facility in collecting, compiling, and reporting all pertinent data.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Work is performed indoors and outdoors in variable conditions – including adverse weather and working alone in remote locations.
  2. Work is performed alone or with others, it includes performing strenuous physical activities and repetitively lifting or moving 50 lb. fish, salt blocks, and fish feed.
• Schedule:
  1. Typically, Monday – Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  2. Workload demands 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 may require the employee to work ten days and be off 4.
• Standby:  
  1. Standby duties are 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 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.
• Housing: 
  1. Housing is provided for this position.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Travel may be required for short periods of time to accomplish agency goals and required training.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Hand tools, power tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, small/large fish transport trucks, and passenger vehicles.
  2. Egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, adult fish pumps, adult fish counters, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine powered equipment, chiller for Otolith marking, computers, and software.
• Customer Interactions: 
  1. Communicate effectively with public and volunteers – on a regular basis interact with small community groups and individuals who visit the hatchery to answer questions and give tours.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

OR 

OR 

OR 

Please Note: Four (4) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the Bachelor’s degree.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• A valid driver’s license.
• Some positions require a valid Class A or Class B Commercial Driver’s License.
• Some positions require a valid Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License.

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:

• 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).