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 one (1)10-month Career Seasonal Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 In-training position in the Fish Program, Hatchery Division.The duty station is the Priest Rapids Hatchery located at 29086 Hwy 243, Mattawa, WA.The season for this position is September through June.

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.

DutiesFish Culture
Tasks include:
Calculates and feeds fish according to pond populations and weight samples.  Adjust feed size and amount fed as needed.
Monitors fish behavior and health
Monitors egg and fish production and disinfects and enumerates eggs.
Administers therapeutics, calculates and administers drugs as prescribed.
Identifies, sorts, and samples species for spawning and adult distribution.
Cleans ponds and raceways, trough, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
Identifies marked adults and collect tags/marks for bio sampling
Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
Picks eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments.
Collect adult fish hook and line, seining, and volunteer ore non-volunteer fish trap.
Collect adult mortality and fill out correct head tags for blood stock and enter data into hatchery documents and fish books.
Identify all targeted and non-targeted species, gender stock origin and condition of maturity when trapping and spawning adults.
Conducts remote trapping and spawning operations, including transport of equipment and gametes.
Fertilizes eggs with sperm, according to pre-determined ratios using established spawning protocols and HGMP requirements.
Supervise and instruct temporary employees and volunteers in the absence of leadership
Surpluses and distributes adult carcasses to conduct buyer based on condition.
Tracks temperature units (TU’s) and monitors chillers to adjust TU’s, including tracking thermal marks.
Incubates eggs using vertical trays.
Performs KD calculations on fry in order to predict when to start fish on feed.
Monitor dissolved oxygen levels when in order to maintain proper carrying capacity of rearing units.
Loads fish for transport using the crowders and pescalator to move adults from trap from trap to adult ponds.
Operates commercial transport vehicles.  Ensure vehicle is in working order by performing pre-trip inspections and report needed repairs.
Loads fish for transport using a variety of methods such as electric fish pumps, etc.
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 the biosecurity guidelines.
Monitors rearing units for signs of predation and ensures rearing areas are secure.
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).
Scan Fish for various tags using coded wire wands, pit tag detectors, and other tag associated equipment.
Monitors water quality parameters using dissolved oxygen meters (calibrates when needed) and chemicals such as Hach kits in order to ensure a safe rearing environment.
Performs chemical treatment as prescribed by the Fish Health Specialist.

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 of the agency).
Accurately fills out and submits agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms, and other relevant forms.
Assist or develops forms or spreadsheets for more efficient record keeping.
Performs water quality analysis and discharge monitoring reports (DMR) as required by the Department of Ecology to maintain hatchery discharge permits (NPDES).
Compile, catalogue and store historic records at facility.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment
Tasks include:
Maintains proper water flow and rearing environments
Performs standby which requires responding to alarms and taking appropriate action to preserve facility programs, test alarms and reports failures to agency personnel.
Actively identifies safety hazards and takes action or recommends remedies as appropriate.
Performs maintenance duties in and around hatchery equipment and residence to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
Maintain road access to hatchery by plowing/grading.
Operate fork lifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish racks, weirs, intake screens, fish transfer equipment,  adult fish gates, using metal, aluminum, plastic, and wood.
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; testing employee safety equipment, recording respirator cartridge use and results of respirator tests.
Accurately interprets MSDS sheets in order to determine chemical composition as necessary and maintains an updated file.
May serve on safety committees or serve as a safety officer and complete regular safety reports through safety meetings.
Identifies safety concerns or problems and offers solutions.
Understands inherent safety concerns based on hatchery locations such as Radon, or environmental hazards such as hanta virus and other health hazards.

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 closely with supervisors and coworkers regarding hatchery operations and infrastructure.

Other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
Work alone on station and be able to make sound decisions
Pursues continuing education, training and attend meetings as required
Travels to other hatcheries to assist with heavy work loads
Forklift certification, respirator training, CPR training and CDL may be required.

Working Conditions
Work week is Saturday to Friday and the work schedule is M-F, 8:00-4:30, 40-hour work week, depending on the time of year; includes days, nights, weekends and holidays as needed.  Ability to follow instructions and complete assigned tasks, gather and compile data use sound judgement.  Communicate effectively with public and volunteer employee will interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis.  Travel may be required in order to accomplish agency goals.

Ability to lift 50 lbs, work out doors in all weather conditions and perform strenuous physical activities. Perform mechanical tasks using power and hand tools.  Employee will work with hand & power tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instructions, transport trucks, passenger vehicles, adult fish pumps, adult fish counters, CWT identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine, computers and software.

This position requires a valid driver’s license.  (If selected for an interview, you may be asked to furnish your license and driving record.)   This position is off-station and standby is not assigned.  This position may require a CDL or 12-month from the date of hire.

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.  OR Three years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries or closely allied field.  OR   Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.  OR   Three years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.  Preferred work experience in a hatchery setting.   

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.