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 position in the Fish Program, Hatchery Division, Lyons Ferry Complex.  The duty station is the Tucannon Hatchery located at 2303 Tucannon Road, Pomeroy, WA.

A Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 supports the mission by performing technical and scientific duties at hatchery facilities within a complex, rearing anadromous and island species of fish.  This position performs a variety of technical and scientific fish culture duties and hatchery related maintenance, primarily at the Tucannon Hatchery and within the Lyons Ferry Complex.

Fish Culture:
Feeds fish their calculated daily ration;
Monitors fish behavior, health, egg and fish production;
Calculates and administers drugs as prescribed;
Identifies, sorts, and samples species for spawning and adult distribution;
Cleans ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems,
Identifies marked adults and collects tags/marks for bio sampling and records data;
Collects fish tissue and fluid samples;
Performs fish inventories, splits, marking trailer inventories, weight samples, releases and plants fish.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility:
Monitors water flow and quality parameters; takes water samples and readings (e.g. dissolved gases, suspended settleable solids, and other parameters as required)
Maintains proper water flow and rearing environments;
Responds to alarms; monitors and maintains facility support systems;
Monitors and maintains facility support systems
Actively identifies safety hazards and takes action or recommends remedies as appropriate.

Operation and Maintenance of Equipment:
Drive planting truck to and from planting sites.
Organizes and maintains hatchery tools, equipment, and grounds;
Communicates safety concerns in a timely manner (management to staff and staff to management), uses tools and equipment properly and safely.

Recordkeeping and Reporting:
Enters data into forms and spreadsheets; demonstrate proficiency with computer (e.g. fish mortality, feed sheets, feed inventory, chemical usage).
Fills out standard report forms.  Accurately fills out agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice tickets, etc.
Submits complete and accurate forms required.
Assist in developing in-house forms as required.

Public Contact and Communications:
Responds to/answers questions from visitors to the facility.
Conducts organized tours
Interacts with the public in a polite, professional manner.
Identifies the best way to respond when faced with difficult-to-answer questions or when information is not readily obtainable.
Follows up to ensure that an answer was obtained.

Working Conditions
Work week is M-F, 7:30 – 4:00 and the work schedule is usually 40 hours, with occasional harsh winter working and driving conditions, with the occasional need for extra hours to meet emergency need to meet emergency or other workloads.  Travel can be frequent at times of year, such as planting catchable rainbow trout, helping Lyons Ferry haul adults from Lower Granite dam and assisting at Lyons Ferry.  Deer and other wildlife are a constant hazard while driving.

This position is on-station and has standby been assigned.   Standby response time is 10 minutes.  The preferred candidate will have a class B CDL with tank and air brakes endorsement or the ability to obtain the license within 12 months of hire.

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 in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife 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). 

Knowledge and Abilities Desired:

1. Basic computer skills, familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Excel software.
2. Basic fish culture techniques; rearing procedures
3. Water dynamics ( e.g. flows, flow patterns, availability, temperature, etc)
4. Calibration of specialized instruments (e.g. scales, Dissolved Oxygen meters)
5. Basic math; calculate and understand quantities and proportions
6. Ability to lift 50 lbs, work out of doors in all weather conditions and perform strenuous physical activities.
7. Safe and proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment

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.