Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Columbia Basin Hatchery - Permanent - *12470-24

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
Duty Station- Columbia Basin Hatchery – Moses Lake, Washington – Grant County
Housing- Provided
*Standby- Currently Assigned
In-Training- We are recruiting to hire at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2 level, and we will train a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 up to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2. 
Salary- Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 Salary Range: $3,239.00 - $4,299.00, Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 Salary Range: $3,558.00 - $4,740.00

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Support salmon, steelhead, and trout conservation efforts while providing sustainable recreational, tribal, and commercial opportunities in the state of Washington.

Join the Columbia Basin Hatchery team and perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the hatchery.

This is an opportunity to rear and stock lakes with non-anadromous species of fish.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2,

Performs Fish Culture:

• Calculates and feeds fish according to pond populations and weight samples, adjusting feed size and amount fed as needed.
• Monitors fish behavior, health, and production.
• Disinfects and counts eggs.
• Administers therapeutics and calculates and administers drugs as prescribed.
• Cleans ponds, raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Incubates eggs using a variety of vessels including shallow troughs, isolation buckets, upwelling incubators, and vertical trays.
• Monitors dissolved oxygen levels to maintain proper carrying capacity of rearing units.
• Contacts the 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:

• Proficiently uses computers and software 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.

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, testing alarms, and reporting failures to agency personnel.
• Monitors and maintains facility support systems (such as 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.

Working Conditions:

Work setting, including hazards: Work is performed outside in all weather conditions. Perform strenuous physical activities such as repetitively lifting 50-pound fish feed bags and salt blocks. Use a respirator and other personal protective equipment (PPE) while working with various chemicals. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Work hours may vary greatly at different times of the year, depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.

*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.

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, 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:

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:

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.

Or 

Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

A Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) must be obtained within one (1) year of hire.
 

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

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, biology, or closely allied field AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery. 

Or 

Three (3) 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.

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.

Please Note: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

A Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) must be obtained within one (1) year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Two (2) or four (4) year 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 #2024-12470.

Follow us on social media: 
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram