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.
 
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.  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 2 In-training at the Cedar River Hatchery.  The duty station is located at 28700 SE 252nd Place, Ravensdale, WA. 98051.  The anticipated start date is January 10, 2018.

Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 (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.  Upon satisfactory completion of the in-training plan will automatically be promoted to a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.

Fish Culture
Tasks include:
Work cooperatively with Seattle Public Utilities(SPU) and other interest groups to meet program goals according to specific and unique operational, fish health protocols; 
Identify and communicate opportunities to improve fish culture practices.
Monitor fish behavior and health
Actively seek to learn fish culture practices
Project and monitor program fish culture goals and progress.
Share knowledge with temporary staff.

Data Collection and Reporting
Tasks include:
Collect, organize, and report data in efficient and appropriate formats including MS Word, Excel, and Power Point, keep records current and accessible;
Understand requests of Cedar River Hatchery Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) workgroups for hatchery data and be able to report data to the workgroups directly or through the FHS4;
Develop and maintain user-friendly formats for temporary staffs to record data;
Lead others in accurately collecting and reporting data.

Communications
Tasks include:
Maintain clear, appropriate, and respectful avenues of oral and written communications with the FHS3 and FHS4, the crew, biological staffs, SPU and other interest party staffs;
Accurately , professionally, appropriately communicate with the public;
Keep FHS4 informed of production, safety, and performance issues;
make regular, detailed written record of pertinent events;
Guide temporary staff in proper methods and procedures.

Physical Operations and Maintenance of Facility
Tasks include:
Ensure that working components of the fish hatchery are kept in good condition(pumps, motors, vehicles, alarms, generators, chiller, heat exchanges, etc);
Ensure timely repairs to facility and infrastructure;
Keeps the grounds in well-kept condition;
Identify and communicate ways to improve the physical plant operations;
Actively identify and report safety hazards and concerns.

Other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
Safety Officer, Fish truck driver,Field work with Ballard Locks sampling and Lake Washington smolt sampling.

Working Conditions
Cedar River Hatchery is located at the Landsburg Dam near the town of Ravensdale, Washington. The temporary adult trap and weir location is across the Cedar River from the City of Renton’s Carco Park, under the Highway 405 bridge over the Cedar River. The hatchery is an SPU owned facility and is located on SPU property within the Cedar River Watershed which requires personal security screen approval for access. At the hatchery there are 4 concrete adult raceways with electric crowders, a covered, outside spawning area, an inside fertilization room, a 3 bay garage, a large carport, and a 14,000 square foot hatchery building housing 136 kitoi incubators, 47 fiberglass starter raceways, offices, chemical storage, lab, mechanical, and maintenance rooms. The incubation water from nearby springs is plumbed to the hatchery through an elaborate system of chillers, heat exchangers, pumps, and remote monitoring equipment. The incubation water and monitoring systems are complex and technical and many are controlled remotely by a computer SCADA system. Large trucks are required to be operated during many release events both day and night.
Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional, courteous manner at all times. Employees are also expected to communicate respectfully and work cooperatively with WDFW co-workers and all SPU staffs, interest groups, and the public. It is essential to this position that strong inter-personal, communication, problem solving, and team building skills contribute to the development of an efficient, positive, and productive working environment. Variations of the normal eight-hour workday will be necessary during specific operations and emergency situations.  This position is off-station and standby is not assigned.
 
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. 
 
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.

Qualifications
One year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program.  Associate’s degree in fisheries technology or closely allied field and one year of experience performing fish culture in a hatchery; OR Three years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries or closely allied field and one year of experience performing fish culture in a hatchery.  OR successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.  Preferred work experience in a hatchery setting. 
 
Knowledge and Abilities Desired:

1. Working knowledge of fish culture principles and techniques;
2. Water dynamics;
3. Basic mathematics;
4. MS Excel, MS Word;
5. Proper calibration and operation of measuring instruments;
6. Knowledge of hatchery forms and Fishbooks
7. Application and use of key forms, fish health, and safety and protocols.
8. Communicate well both orally and in writing
9. Maintain effective working relationship internally and externally.

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:
 
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.   
 
 

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.