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 one (1) 4-month non- permanent Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 at the Cedar River Hatchery.  The duty station is located at 28700 SE 252nd Place, Ravensdale, WA. 98051.

DutiesFish Culture
Tasks include: 
•Monitors fish behavior and health
•Monitors egg and fish production and Disinfects and enumerates eggs
•Identifies, sorts, and samples species for spawning and adult distribution
•Identifies adults and collects tags/marks for bio sampling.
•Records data and is able to identify multiple marks by sight.
•Collects fish tissue and fluid samples for Fish Health Specialists without contaminating samples.
•Picks eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments
•Collects adult fish by and volunteer or non-volunteer fish trap
•Collect adult mortality and enter data into hatchery documents.
•Fertilizes eggs with sperm, according to pre-determined ratios using established spawning protocols and HGMP requirements.
•Incubates eggs using a variety of vessels including, upwelling incubators and vertical trays.
•Loads truck according to safe hauling densities, utilizes proper oxygen levels and monitors fish during transport.
•Actively works to maintain/use facility wide biosecurity and ensures volunteers and members of the public follow biosecurity guidelines.
•Understands correct safety protocols for all hazardous chemicals/drugs used for all treatments and chemical storage/handling, i.e. formalin, peroxide, anesthetics, paint thinner, gas/diesel, potassium, and other chemicals).
•Monitors water quality parameters using dissolved oxygen meters (calibrates when needed)in order to insure a safe rearing environment.

Record Keeping and Reporting
Tasks include: 
•Proficient use of computers and software in order to perform various aspects of hatchery work, including: data entry, record keeping, reporting (both within and outside agency).
•Accurately fills out and other relevant forms.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment
Tasks include: 
•Performs standby which requires responding to alarms and taking appropriate action to preserve facility programs, tests alarms and reports failures to agency personnel.
•Actively identifies safety hazards and takes action or recommends remedies as appropriate.
•Perform maintenance duties in and around hatchery to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
•Operate fork lifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pumps and common power tools.
•Service and maintain small gas engines and hatchery related equipment.
•Wears and uses employee safety equipment as directed including, inspecting, cleaning, and repairing employee’s safety equipment.
•Understands safety hazards at facility.

Communications
Tasks include: 
•Responds to questions from visitors to the facility and conducts organized tours.
•Interacts with the public in a polite, professional manner.
•Communicates with inter agency staff or outside entities both verbally and in writing as needed regarding hatchery infrastructure or facility programs, i.e. local Public Utility Districts, co-managers and others.
•Communicates closely with supervisors and coworkers regarding hatchery operations and infrastructure.

Other Duties as Assigned
Tasks include: 
•Work alone on station and at remote sites need to be able to make sound decisions.
•Travels to other hatcheries to assist with heavy workloads.
•Provide technical support to fish cooperatives.
•Pest control (rodents, cats, dogs, ants, wasps, birds) in a humane, non-lethal manner.  Done in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Working Conditions
8-5 Monday – Friday The work hours can vary greatly at different time of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions. This position may require standby, the employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. While on standby this position will work ten days and be off 4.  Travel may be required in order to accomplish agency goals.  Communicate effectively with public and volunteers Employee will interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis.

Work outside in all weather conditions.  Perform strenuous physical activities, follow instructions and complete assigned tasks, gather and compile data, use sound judgment, and assist in training entry level employees.   Standby has been assigned and there is a 20 foot travel trailer to facilitate the standby requirement.

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.

QualificationsAssociate’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.

Supplemental InformationTo 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.