The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities dependent on viable fish and wildlife populations.  Each day, WDFW employees facilitate fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.  WDFW’s employees–field and laboratory biologists, geneticists, research scientists, hatchery professionals, policy experts, fully commissioned law enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, property acquisition specialists, customer service representatives and others work throughout the state.  WDFW employees protect and restore critical habitat, strive to facilitate species recovery when necessary, and manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species.  WDFW employees maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands. They interpret, apply and enforce state and federal laws and collaborate with stakeholders to protect fish and wildlife resources. The 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.  Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov

There is currently a permanent Fish Hatchery Specialist 4 position in the Fish Program, Hatchery Division, Wells Complex.  The duty station is the Wells Hatchery located at 24621 US Hwy 97, Pateros, WA 98846.

This position manages and supervises all staff at the Wells and Similkameen Hatcheries within the Wells Complex, and serves as the principle assistant to the Complex Manager.  This position is in constant communications with Douglas and Chelan PUDs, and is expected to represent the agency in a professional manner, communicating effectively and considering the larger picture (ESA recovery, mitigation, co-manager needs, facility capabilities, etc.) in all decision making.  The incumbent is expected to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Complex manager during his or her absence.

• Carries out personnel actions (e.g. recruitment, hire recommendations, evaluations, corrective action).
• Ensures that expectations are adhered to
• Coordinates operations of assigned facilities
• Identifies training needs and develops training plans
• Develops work plans
• Ensures safety compliance
• Serves as a leader/role model for other staff
• Acts in absence of the Complex Manager

Managing facility production
Tasks include:

• Meets with fish health specialist to ensure production quality
• Reviews and interprets the Future Brood Document
• Communicates changes needed in FBD to the Operation Manager
• Develops/monitors production plans
• Ensures staff maintain records
• Ensures that staff meet reporting deadlines
• Understands how facility production contributes to harvest and/or conservation
• Monitors fish culture activities, leading spawning, training employees, filling in during staff shortages, etc

Managing facility budgets
Tasks include:

• Assists the CM in developing accurate budgets and spending plans that reflect routine and future needs of facility, program, and agency.  This included identifying capital projects at both facilities, development of contracts to address these projects, contract administration and compliance, etc.
• Accurate, professional, and timely expenditures tracking
• Adjust spending patterns to meet allotments and changing needs
• Communicates budget status and needs to staff and supervisor

Operations Management and Compliance
Tasks include:

• Reviews/understands, and monitors staff compliance with policy, procedure, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ensures that supervised staff understand and comply with federal/state laws, rules, regulations.
• Resolves issues and problems as they arise and responds to changes.
• Observes and assesses the state of facility upkeep and maintenance, and takes action to correct deficiencies.
• Prioritizes and coordinates implementation of upgrade/repair, and communicates to CM and staff
• Reviews, evaluates adequacy of facility structures; develops plans to address needs
• Assigns activities to staff to ensure production goals are met

Internal/External Communications
Tasks include:

• Coordinates with constituent groups and volunteers to achieve agency mission (e.g. artificial production and nutrient enhancement)
• Represents agency policy when speaking in public forums and to constituent requests
• Keeps supervisor and staff apprised of emerging issues
• Represents the agency professionally and communicates effectively on potentially sensitive policy issues to influence decision making of internal or external entities, particularly with the funding entity..
• Communicates to staff the linkage between facility programs and agency goals (i.e., how production fits into the bigger picture.
• Encourages strong communication between all staff, fellow employees, co-managers, and others to avoid misunderstandings and mistakes ensuring program success and staff development.

Working Conditions
Week 1: Monday – Sunday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm with standby; Week 2:  Monday – Wednesday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; Week 3: Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.  Travel will be required within the complex and to go to meeting and trainings throughout the state.  Must be able to effectively communicate with the public, PUD employees, tribal members and other co-managers to accomplish many different duties.

This employee will be required to work in all sorts of weather conditions whether it be rain, snow or shine.  Travel within complex can sometimes cause difficulties as roads can get slick and deer and other wildlife are a constant hazard.  Must have working knowledge of hand tools, fish pumps, trash pumps, Venturi systems, well and surface water pumps, fish ladders and traps, alarm systems, facility piping, etc.  Will adhere to and follow all WDFW safety regulations and current policies.  US Bank purchasing card will be required to obtain one within 6-months of hire.  A valid driver’s license is required.  This is on-station and standby has been assigned at this time.  The preferred candidate will have a current Class A or B CDL or the ability to obtain a license with- 6-month of hire.

Union
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish Hatchery Professionals (WAFHP), 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.

Special Note:
All applicants considering applying for this position should understand and consider 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.

Associate degree in fisheries technology or closely related field and three years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.  OR

A Bachelor’s degree with major study in fisheries OR High school graduation or GED and three years of experience in fish hatchery work.

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

Preferred Job Knowledge

• Techniques for effective supervision
• Team-building, coaching and mentoring techniques
• Techniques of fish culture/husbandry, fish culture terminology
• Calculation methods
• Coded Wire Tag detectors (operation/use of)
• Fis production protocols and policy
• Proficient in use of software applications: Excel, Word, Outlook, and agency specific applications such as Fishbooks, VMTS, FastTrack, and payroll reports.
• The order and process for completing , reviewing/approving key forms or requests.
• Knowledge of key processes/procedures. including, hiring, contract development. corrective action, etc.
• Union contracts
• Purchasing protocols; equipment purchasing rules
• Safety policy and procedures
• Corrective action, EAS, and other HR processes and procedures
• Other agency policy and procedure
• Proper calibration , maintenance and operation of key equipment (e.g., water delivery systems, alarm systems)
• Safety principles and techniques, safe operating procedures
• Inventory control

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.

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.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities 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.