Description
TWO (2) OPENINGS
FULL-TIME/CAREER SEASONAL
FISH HATCHERY SPECIALIST 2 (FHS2)
WDFW HATCHERIES DIVISION
PRIEST RAPIDS HATCHERY
Mattawa, Washington - Grant County
Anticipated Start Date: April 18th, 2022
Anticipated Season: 10 Months
September 1st – June 30th
STANDBY DUTIES ARE NOT ASSIGNED HOUSING NOT PROVIDED
Join the WDFW team today and directly contribute to sustainable recreational and commercial fishing opportunities across the state of Washington!
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) currently operates 75 hatchery facilities, the majority dedicated to producing salmon/steelhead and trout.
We are seeking highly motivated and experienced Fish Hatchery Specialists to work alongside a diverse team to support salmon conservation while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational opportunities in the state of Washington.
We are recruiting to hire two (2) positions at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 level, and we will train a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 up to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.
The salary range for these positions is as follows:
Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 - $2864.00 - $3701.00Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 - $3144.00 - $4083.00- Hoodsport Hatchery– Photo Credit: Rachel Blomker
With that in mind,
Picture yourself performing scientific and technical duties at the Priest Rapids Hatchery to include monitoring fish behavior, identifying, sorting, and sampling species for spawning and adult distribution.
These are opportunities to support facilities and trap sites within a complex rearing anadromous and non-anadromous (fish born in freshwater who spend most of their lives in saltwater and return to freshwater to spawn) species of fish.
These are dynamic roles in which you can gain valuable industry experience in fish husbandry.
We are seeking candidates who respects and values the opinions of others, creating an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.
Duties
- Chinook Spawning – Photo Credit: Rachel Blomker
Our Fish Hatchery Specialist 2’s,
Perform Fish Culture.
- Calculate and feeds fish according to pond populations and weight samples.
- Adjust feed size and amount fed as needed.
- Monitor fish behavior and health.
- Monitor egg and fish production and disinfects and enumerates eggs.
- Administer therapeutics, calculates, and administers drugs as prescribed
- Identify sorts, and samples species for spawning and adult distribution.
- Clean ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
- Identify marked adults and collects tags/marks for bio sampling.
- Record data and is able to identify multiple marks by sight, UV lights or mechanical devices.
- Collect fish tissue and fluid samples for Fish Health Specialists without contaminating samples.
- Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
- Pick eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments
- Collect adult fish by hook and line, seining, and volunteer or non-volunteer fish trap.
- Determine 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.
- Fertilize 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.
- Surplus and distributes adult carcasses to contract buyer based on condition.
- Track temperature units (TU’s) and monitors heath stacks 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.
- Incubate eggs using vertical trays and magnums.
- Perform condition factor deviation (KD) calculations on fry in order to predict when to start fish on feed.
- Analyze 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.
- Load fish for transport using a variety of methods such as: electric fish pump and pescolator.
- Liberate fish via trucks.
- Operate commercial transport vehicles. Ensures vehicle is in working order by performing pre-trip inspections and reports needed repairs.
- Load truck according to safe hauling densities, utilizes proper oxygen levels and monitor fish during transport.
- Actively work to maintain/use facility wide biosecurity and ensure volunteers and members of the public follow biosecurity guidelines.
- Monitor rearing units for signs of predation and ensure rearing areas are secure.
- Understand 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.
- Complete and submits DMR’s when needed.
- Require a detailed knowledge of biological principles and fish ecology.
- Scan fish for various tags using coded wire tag wands, pit tag detectors, and other tag associated equipment.
- Monitor water quality parameters using dissolved oxygen meters (calibrates when needed) and chemicals such as Hach kits in order to insure a safe rearing environment.
- Perform fish inoculations, medical or chemical treatments as prescribed by the Fish Health Specialist.
- Contact Fish Health Specialist when fish are showing signs of disease or illness and works closely with them in treating and diagnosing illness.
Perform Record Keeping and Reporting.
- 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 fill out and submits agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms and other relevant forms.
- Assist or develop forms or spreadsheets for more efficient record keeping.
- Perform 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.
- Compile, catalogue and store historic records at facility.
- Surplus state equipment following agency guidelines.
Conduct Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment.
- Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments.
- Perform standby which requires responding to alarms and taking appropriate action to preserve facility programs, tests alarms and reports failures to agency personnel.
- Monitor and maintain facility support systems (i.e., alarm panels and other support systems).
- Actively identify 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.
- Maintain hatchery housing, i.e., build/maintain fences, plumbing and minor electrical repairs.
- Maintain road access to residence, hatchery by plowing.
- Operate fork-lifts, 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.
- Service and maintain small gas engines and hatchery related equipment.
- Wear and use 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 inspect and test facility safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, Automated External Defibrillator (AEDs), etc.
- Accurately interpret (Material) Safety Data Sheets (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.
- Understand confined space regulations and hazards.
- Maintain required safety training through agency training platforms (LMS).
- Understand safety hazards at facility.
Communicates and Performs Other Duties as Assigned.
- Respond to questions from visitors to the facility and conducts organized tours.
- Interact with the public in a polite, professional manner.
- Attend school presentations and/or career fairs, sportsmen shows and county fairs.
- Communicate with interagency 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.
- Communicate closely with supervisors and coworkers regarding hatchery operations and infrastructure.
- Work alone on station and at remote sites need to be able to make sound decisions.
- Pursue continuing education, training and attend meetings as required.
- Travel to other hatcheries to assist with heavy workloads.
- Perform Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 duties in their absence and makes sure hatchery runs smoothly.
- Teach new Fish Hatchery Technicians, FHS2’s and FHS3’s the hatchery infrastructure and programs in order to help them succeed.
- Provide technical support to fish cooperatives.
- Conducts Pest control (rodents, cats, dogs, ants, wasps, birds) in a humane, non-lethal manner. Done in an environmentally sensitive manner.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Setting, including hazards:
- These positions work primarily outside in all types of inclement weather and perform strenuous physical activities.
- Occasionally, office work will be required.
- Schedule:
- Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 40 hours per week.
- Workload demands and weather may require work outside the assigned work hours/days and adjustment of work schedules.
- Standby:
- Standby duties are not 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 days on and be off 4 days.
- All applicants applying for this position should understand that standby is a requirement for all positions in the Fish Hatchery Specialist series.
- Management may determine it is necessary to assign standby 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.
- Housing:
- Housing is not provided for these positions.
- Travel Requirements:
- Travel may be required to accomplish agency goals.
- Tools and Equipment:
- Hand and power tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, transport trucks, passenger vehicles, adult fish pumps and counters, Coded-Wire Tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engines, computers, and software.
- Customer Interactions:
- Interacts with the public, volunteers, small community groups, individual constituents, and employees regularly.
QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS:
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:
- Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.
OR
- An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely allied field.
OR
- Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology or a closely allied field.
OR
- Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.
Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (Goal Class):
- Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.
OR
- One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 AND successful completion of agency supervised training program.
OR
An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology or closely allied field AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
OR
Two (2) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries or closely allied field AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
OR
Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Licenses:
- Valid Driver’s License.
- A Commercial Driver’s License could be required for this position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Two (2) or four (4) year degree in Fisheries or a closely associated field.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
As a result of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) issued on August 9, 2021, all Washington State Agencies are requiring employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of your employment. Pursuant to this mandate, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination as a part of the hiring process. Your vaccination status will be verified at new employee onboarding.
A list of acceptable documents to provide verification can be reviewed here. Vaccination acceptable documents link (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)
Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
In order to successfully 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:- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.
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
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
The Washington 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. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
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).
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:
- Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
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.
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.
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.
- Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks.
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