Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent 
Duty Station- Whitehorse Hatchery – Arlington, Washington – Snohomish County 
Housing- Provided 
*Standby- Currently Assigned

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

In this key role, support salmon, steelhead, and trout conservation efforts while providing sustainable recreational, tribal, and commercial opportunities in the state of Washington.

Join the Whitehorse Hatchery team and perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the hatchery!

Serve as a leader and role model for staff and volunteers by fostering an environment that ensures fish population goals are met while prioritizing safety, identifying areas for improvement, and creating educational opportunities.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Specialist 3,

Performs Fish Culture:

• Identifies and communicates opportunities to improve fish culture practices.
• Monitors fish behavior and health. Calculates and administers the amount of medication prescribed.
• Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
• Collects adult salmonids by netting, snorkeling, and snagging.
• Leads crew members in feeding, cleaning, and transferring fish, determines the proper rearing densities for ponding and planting fish.
• Monitors egg and fish production, supervises the disposition of non-viable and surplus eggs, organizes the transfer of eggs, and directs the distribution of carcasses to contract vendors or agency approved entities.
• Utilizes CO2, MS-222 (tricaine methanesulfonate), clove oil, electro anesthesia, and electro narcosis to temporarily sedate fish for sampling, sorting, and spawning.
• Conducts live, lethal, air and matrix spawning operations.

Crew Leader:

• Responsible for safety rule compliance, training, documentation, and ensures hazards are addressed.
• Resolves issues and problems as they arise and responds to change.
• Plans daily and cyclic hatchery work schedules.
• Assesses employee skills and knowledge and provide training as needed.
• Works with Federal, State, Tribal, and Co-op’s in the planning of fish transfer and releases.
• Acts as agency liaison and project manager of the contracted crews during fish marking programs.

Physical Operation and Maintenance of Facility:

• Ensures that working components of the fish hatchery are kept in good condition (such as pumps, motors, vehicles, alarms, generators, and flashlights).
• Actively identifies safety hazards and acts or recommends remedies as appropriate.
• Ensures timely repairs to facility and infrastructure and maintains the grounds in appearance and upkeep during seasonal events.
• Coordinates and implements annual set up and tear down of remote acclimation sites.
• Manipulates incubation water temperatures during otolith marking and egg hatch timing.
• Manages the operation of fish traps and ladders.

Communications:

• Keeps supervisor and management well-informed on production issues that may lead to fish health concerns or program shortfalls.
• Serves as a conduit for safety concerns (management to staff and staff to management).
• Handles public communications, contact, and outreach (visitors, scheduled educational tours, local festivals, volunteers, and local school presentations).

Data Collection, Entry, Reporting, and Budgeting:

• Collects data required by the program, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Assists the Fish Hatchery Specialist 4 (FHS4) with the annual budget setting process, including fish feed, utilities, and supplies.
• Helps the FHS4 write, review, and implement Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) necessary to maintain National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approval to operate the hatchery and release fish.

Working Conditions:

Work setting, including hazards: Work is performed outside in all weather conditions, typically 250 days a year. Will be working alone about half the time. Frequently perform strenuous physical activities including repetitively lifting items weighing at least 50 lbs. (such as fish feed bags, salt blocks, and salt bags). Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Typically, Monday through the following Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work hours may vary based on what is happening at the facility.

*Standby: Standby duties are currently assigned - standby entails the employee being responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day after the regular 8-hour shift. While on standby this position will work ten (10) days and be off four (4) days.

Housing: Housing is provided for this position and will be located at Arlington Hatchery.

Tools and Equipment: Power tools, 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, coded wire tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine, and computers.

Customer interactions: Interact with members of the public and volunteers on a regular basis.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.

Or

An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology or closely allied field AND two (2) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery. 

Or 

A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries or closely allied field.

Or 

Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school AND two (2) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Please Note: Four (4) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the Bachelor’s degree.

License:

Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Standby with a response of 30 minutes to one (1) hour.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

A Bachelor’s degree or an Associate’s degree in Fisheries or closely associated field.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental Information

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
 
Important Note: 
All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
 
Union - WAFHP:
These positions are 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).
 
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
 
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
 
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.
 
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
 
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
 
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-12113.

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