Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division

Duty Station- Washougal, Washington – Washougal Hatchery – Skamania County

Housing- Housing is provided.

Standby- Standby is currently assigned.

In-Training- We are recruiting to fill this position at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 (FHS1) or Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (FHS2) classification. Candidates hired as an FHS1 will be required to complete an in-training plan in order to advance to the FHS2 classification.

Salary- Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:

Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 - $3,653.00 - $4,866.00 monthly

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 - $4,004.00 - $5,376.00 monthly

This position requires a Class B Commercial Driver’s License to be obtained within six (6) months of hire.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – Hatchery steelhead broodstock collection – Photo Credit: WDFW

Assist with fish conservation in Washington while gaining valuable hands-on experience! This is an opportunity to perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties at the Washougal Hatchery. With your experience, you will rear anadromous (fish that spend part of their lives in both fresh and salt water, migrating from the ocean to freshwater rivers to spawn) and inland species of fish.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position:

• Fish Culture.
• 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, UV lights 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.

Record Keeping and Reporting.

• Proficient use of computers and software in order to perform various aspects of hatchery work, including data entry, record keeping, and 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.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment.

• 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 and ozone water treatment plants, 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.

Communications.

• 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 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.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Outside in all weather conditions. Typically the employee in this position will be working outside about 250 days a year. This employee will be required to work in all sorts of weather conditions whether it is raining, snowing, sunny, dark, cold or hot. At times this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50lbs. Also will need to use respirator and other PPE while working with various chemicals used at facility. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Perform strenuous physical activities, follow instructions and complete assigned tasks, gather and compile data, use sound judgement and assist in training entry level employees.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel requirements: Travel may be required in order to accomplish agency goals.

Standby: This position requires standby with a response time within 30 minutes, which involves overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day when on duty. The standby schedule consists of working 10 consecutive days, including 7 days of standby duty, 3 days of non-standby duty, followed by 4 days off.

Housing: Housing is provided.

Customer Interactions: Communicate effectively with public and volunteers. Will interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis who visit the hatchery to answer questions and give tours.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

This Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited hatchery and fish culture experience.

Candidates will be hired as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2, dependent on skills and experience. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month in-training plan, the selected candidate will automatically be promoted to a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.

Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1:

Option 1: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 2: An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely allied field.

Option 3: Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or a closely allied field.

Option 4: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.

License: Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirement/Condition of Employment:

Obtain a Class B CDL within six (6) months of hire (agency provided).

Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (Goal Class):

Option 1: Four (4) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 2: One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program.

Option 3: Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 4: Two (2) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology or closely allied field and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 5: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

License: Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirement/Condition of Employment:

Obtain a Class B CDL within six (6) months of hire (agency provided).

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Four (4) year degree in fisheries or closely associated field.
• A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Your application must include the following:

• A COMPLETED online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) 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 lear