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 position in the Fish Program – Hatchery Division.  The  duty station is the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery located at 165 Osprey Lane, Toledo, WA.

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, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health
Identifies marked adults and collects tags/marks for bio sampling.
Records data and is able to identify multiple marks by sight or mechanical devices.
Collects fish tissue and fluid samples for Fish Health Specialists without contaminating samples.
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
Collects adult fish by hook and line , seining and volunteer or non-volunteer fish trap.
Determines proper number of adults needed to meet program goals using fecundity based on egg size and species fertilized.
Collect adult mortality and fill out correct head tags for brood 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
Performs air spawning at hatchery and remote locations
Surpluses and distributes adult carcasses to contract buyer based on condition.
Tracks temperature units (TU’s) and monitors chillers to adjust TU’s, including tracking thermal marks.
Calibrate formalin systems based on flows
Receive eggs and samples and distributes them into rearing vessels at correct loadings as well as ponds fry according to proper TU’s.
Create triploid via protocol guidelines.
Incubates eggs using a variety of vessels including, shallow troughs, isolation buckets, upwelling incubators and vertical trays.
Performs KD calculations on fry in order to predict when to start fish on feed.
Analyzes condition factor (K) regularly to monitor fish health
Order feed and medicated feed for hatcheries and fish coop projects and tracks inventory
Monitor dissolved oxygen levels when in order to maintain proper carrying capacity of rearing units.
Loads fish for transport using a variety of methods such as: electric fish pump, brail and crane.
Liberates fish via trucks, helicopters, and boats.
Navigates routes to planting sites using GPS and/or maps
Operates commercial transport vehicles.  Ensure vehicle is in working order by performing pre-trip inspections and reports needed repairs.
Loads truck according to safe hauling densities, utilizes proper oxygen levels and monitors fish during transport.
Monitors destination lake temperature, depths, pathway to lake, access during low water events, and direct planting of trout into lakes and tempers the water in the tank if necessary.
Actively works to maintain/use facility wide biosecurity and ensures volunteers and members of the public follow 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).
Monitor surface water influent sources for contaminates from chemical spills and high nitrogen levels suspended in water when necessary.
Completes and submits additional facility specific water quality sampling as needed, i.e. ammonia, nitrites, and other parameters and adjusts fish culture practices to accommodate for seasonal and stochastic changes in environmental conditions.
Monitors stream or riverbank erosion and reports damage or property loss.
Requires a detailed knowledge of biological principles, hydrology, and fish ecology.
Scan fish for various tags using coded wire tag 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 insure a safe rearing environment.
Performs fish inoculations, medical or chemical treatments 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 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).
Create programs to calculate desired growth rates through yearly rearing cycle (Projection sheets) that monitor fish sizes using samples & feed conversions.
Maintains purchasing card account, ledger of hatchery expenses, and completes order payment forms for vendor payments.
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, tests alarms and reports failures to agency personnel.
Monitors and maintains facility support systems i.e. diesel generators, domestic water systems, alarm panels and other support systems.
Actively identifies safety hazards and takes action or recommends remedies as appropriate
Perform maintenance duties in and around hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment
Applies herbicides or controlled burning for weed control
Maintain hatchery housing; i.e. build/maintain fences, plumbing and minor electrical repairs.
Maintain road access to residences, hatchery by plowing, grading, and snow blowers.
Operate forklifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pumps and common power tools
Design/fabricate needed hatchery equipment such as fish racks, weirs, intakes screens, fish transfer equipment, adult fish gates, etc., using metal, aluminum, plastic and wood.
Designs and builds chemical delivery systems for egg and fish treatments.
Active member of facility infrastructure design team.
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.
Regularly inspects and tests facility safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, AEDs, etc.
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 safety officer and complete regular safety reports through safety meetings. Identifies safety concerns or problems and offers solutions.
Understands confined space regulations and hazards.
Maintain required safety training through agency training platforms (LMS).
Need to know your facility as to certain natural chemicals needing testing such as Radon.
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
Attend school presentations and/or career fairs, sportsmen show’s, county fairs and give lectures at schools and local organizations, and supervises participants in fish derbies.
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
Pursues training and attend meetings as required.
Travels to other hatcheries to assist with heavy work loads
Pesticide application card and 40 credits of recertification training every 5 years, forklift certification, respirator training, CPR training and CDL may be required.
Pest control (rodents, cats, dogs, ants, wasps, birds) in a humane, non-lethal manner.  Done in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Working Conditions
This position works at a full cycle fish rearing facility dividing its time between an outdoor all weather, at times strenuous work environment, to an office setting.  Work week is Monday to Sunday and typically work is 5-8 days per week, depending on the time of year; includes days, nights, weekends and holidays as needed. Normally does not exceed a 40 hours per week unless emergency conditions exist. The ability to lift 50 lbs. This position requires a valid driver’s license.  Standby has not been assigned to this position.

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.

QualificationsOne year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program.  OR Associate’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.

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.
8. Communicate effectively with the public

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.