State of Washington
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
invites applications for the position of:
Permanent Fish Health Specialist *08203-14
SALARY: $3,918.00 – $5,136.00 Monthly
OPENING DATE: 08/18/14
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
DESCRIPTION:
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to protecting native fish and wildlife, and
providing sustainable fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.
Working throughout the state, WDFW’s employees–field biologists, enforcement officers, land stewards, lab
technicians, customer service representatives and others—manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species,
maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands, provide opportunities for recreational and commercial
fishing, wildlife viewing and hunting, protect and restore habitat and enforce laws that protect fish and wildlife
resources. Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov
Applications will be reviewed and interviews held as qualified applicants are identified, and the position
may be filled and the recruitment closed. Therefore, you are encouraged to submit your application
materials as soon as possible.
This is a permanent full-time Fish & Wildlife Health Specialist position in the Fish Program, Hatchery Support
Division. The duty station can be in the vicinity of Chelan or Wenatchee, WA.
Routinely monitor and evaluate health of finfish, primarily at WDFW hatcheries but also at cooperative facilities,
and in wild fish populations. Recommend best possible treatments currently available to: control disease;
institute disease prevention programs; recommend modifications in rearing parameters and fish cultural
practices to prevent disease; and perform applied research for improving the health of finfish at WDFW
hatcheries. Ensure compliance with FDA and DOE requirements for use of therapeutants. Conduct surveillance
for regulated pathogens to meet the requirements of the Salmonid Disease Control Policy of the Co-Managers
of Washington State (Policy). Provide directions to Fish Program staff and aquaculturists regarding compliance
with this Policy. Provide reports on status of the health of the fish to WDFW staff and staff at agencies, tribes,
states and the general public. Works independently consulting with hatchery staff and other fish health
professionals.
DUTIES:
Job Bulletin
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=944807[8/19/2014 10:02:57 AM]
The Fish and Wildlife Heath Specialist (FWHS) is responsible for monitoring health conditions and
diagnosis of disease(s) of finfish at WDFW and cooperative facilities so as to produce the highest
quality fish possible. Duties mal slso include occasional screening and diagnosis of wild fish.
Tasks include:
Determine appropriate finfish samples for the conditions at the time. Detect and recognize finfish pathogens
including: bacteria, fungual, virual and parasites. Recognize environmental factors or fish cultural practices
that may cause disease. Analyze other possible causes of disease in the absence of pathogens, toxicants
and/or physiological issues. Determine the significance of any of these pathogens or conditions and take
appropriate action(s). Collect the appropriate samples for confirmatory and prevalence testing. Requires
understanding of finfish hatchery facility design, treatment procedures and maintains good communications with
hatchery staff to determine possible factors which impact the health of the fish.
Determine appropriate corrective action to minimize additional loss associated with mortality. This
requires knowledge of available therapeutants and their requirements for use, environmental factors
conducive to causing disease either from specific pathogens or physiological conditions, and cultural
activities which will compromise or promote health of the fish. Only FWHS can prescribe drug and
chemical treatments.
Tasks include:
The ability to concisely provide instructions to hatchery staff who will be implementing the treatments or
remediation. Also provide assessments of hatchery practices and design to avoid future epidemics and risk
assessments of impacts of disease.
Responsible for sampling adult and juvenile populations for regulated pathogens to meet the
requirements of the Policy.
Tasks include:
Sample adult and juvenile populations for regulated pathogens to meet the requirements of the Co-Managers
Salmonid Disease Control Policy. Train hatchery staff to correctly obtain samples when the FWHS is
absent. Ensure that all stocks are sampled at a minimum of annually, samples are taken properly, and they are
packaged correctly for transport to the laboratory. Also instructs hatchery staff to maintain compliance with the
Policy when carrying out their fish culture duties.
If a licensed Veterinarian, the incumbent may be required to prescribe, monitor and have oversight in
the application of prescription medications for finfish at WDFW operated hatchery facilities.
Tasks include:
Maintain database of veterinary prescriptions and Veterinary Feed Directives.
Design applied research studies to improve fish health and performance.
Tasks include:
Conduct or direct the applied research studies to improve fish health and performance. Collect data, analyze
results and provide conclusions to hatchery staff, fish health staff in and out of the agency, and other agency
staff.
Develop training modules for hatchery staff regarding disease recognition and prevention, sanitation,
nutrition and best fish cultural practices. This promotes the health of the fish through early recognition
of disease and prompt notification of the FWHS which can alleviate disease outbreaks. With hatchery
staff develop containment plans to avoid amplification of pathogens.
Tasks include:
Conduct training of hatchery staff regarding disease recognition and prevention, sanitation, nutrition and best
fish cultural practices. In conjunction with hatchery staff develop containment plans to avoid amplification of
pathogens.
Interact with other agencies and tribal staff to provide status of health of fish, disease prevention
measures and innovative treatments.
Tasks Include:
Meet and communicate with other agencies and tribal staff to provide status of health of fish, disease
prevention measures and innovative treatments.
Job Bulletin
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=944807[8/19/2014 10:02:57 AM]
Write written reports on health status of fish on a routine basis.
Tasks Include:
Provide written reports on health status of fish on a routine basis to supervisor and hatchery staffs. Quarterly or
annual reports may also be required by contractual agreements.
Work Conditions
Work week is Sunday – Saturday and work hours are 8-5 Monday – Friday and 90% local travel to WDFW
operated hatcheries. Primary work environment is in buildings on hatchery grounds such as the hatchery
office/breakroom. Must be able to sit at microscope and perform fine manipulations for fish exams. Handles
tissue preservation solutions, tissue staining solutions and works with sharp instruments at times.
Union
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of
Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), which contains a “union
security” provision. This means that, as a condition of employment you must either join the union and pay
union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay
status.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A graduate degree from an accredited college in fish health/pathology or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an
accredited veterinary school and three years of professional experience in fish health/pathology.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
To 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 (please make it succinct)
Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional)
Please note: Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification. E-mailed
documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.
Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail. You will then be
notified via e-mail of your status during the process. In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the
status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov. Due to the high
volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online
process and avoid calling for information.
Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted
and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A
resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your
application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in
your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be
verified and documentation may be required.