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. 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 currently a permanent 8-months Career Seasonal Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 position in the Fish Program, Hatchery Division, Eastbank Complex.  The duty station is the Similkameen Rearing Pond Hatchery located at 2098 US Hwy 7, Oroville, WA 98844.  Season is September through May of each year.

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. Once the 12-month in-training plan is completed satisfactorily then you will be promoted to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 level.

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.
Administers therapeutics, calculates and administers drugs as prescribed.
Identifies, sorts, and samples species for spawning.
Cleans ponds to maintain fish health.
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.
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.
Calibrates formalin systems based on flow.
Analyzes conditions factor (K) regularly to monitor fish health
Order feed and medicated feed for hatcheries and fish coop projects and tracks inventory.

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 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).
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 river bank 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 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.
Contacts Fish Health Specialist when fish are showing signs of disease or illness and works closely with them in treating and diagnosing illness.

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).
Create programs to calculate desired growth rates through yearly rearing cycle (Projection sheets) that monitor fish sizes using samples and feed conversions.
Maintain ledger of hatchery expenses, and completes order payment forms for vendor payments.
Compile, catalog 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.
Monitors and maintains facility support systems i.e.., diesel generators, domestic and alarm panels and other support systems.
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 hatchery housing, i.e.., building/maintain fences, plumbing and minor electric repairs.
Maintain road access to residences, hatchery by plowing/grading and snow blowers.
Operate fork lifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pups and common power tools.
Design/fabricate needed hatchery equipment such as fish racks, weirs, intakes screens, fish transfer equipment, etc., using metal, aluminum, plastic and wood.
Designs and builds chemical delivery systems for 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 a 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).
Understands safety hazards at the 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.
Attend school presentations and/or career fairs, sportsmen shows, county fairs and give lectures at school and local organizations.
Communicates with 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 remote sites 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
Performs Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 duties in their absence and makes sure hatchery runs smoothly.
Teaches new FHS3 the hatchery infrastructure and programs in order to help them succeed.
Forklift certification, respirator training, CPR training and CDL may be required.
Provide technical support to fish cooperatives
Pest control (rodents, cats, dogs, ants, wasp, birds) in a humane, non-lethal manner.  Done in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Working Conditions
Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m.. to 5:00 p.m..  The work hours can vary greatly at different time of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.  This position requires standby, the employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day.  While on standby this position will work 10 days on 4 days off.  Travel may be required for short periods of time to accomplish agency goals and required training.   Communicate effectively with public and volunteers Employee will interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis.

Performs strenuous physical activities, follow instructions and complete assigned tasks, gather and compile data, use sound judgment, and assist in training entry level employees.  Performs mechanical tasks using power and hand tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, 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 is off-station and standby is assigned.  There is no available housing to facilitate the standby requirement.    A valid driver’s license is required.

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 Hatchery 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).

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.   

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.

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.