Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (in-training option) - Sherman Creek Hatchery - Permanent - *05652-25
Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (in-training option)
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Kettle Falls, WA – Stevens County
Note: Additional Housing not currently available. Standby is currently assigned
Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:
Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 - $3,581 - $4,771 per month
Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 - $3,925 - $5,271 per month
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Performs journey level technical and scientific fish culture duties and performs hatchery related maintenance at Sherman Creek Hatchery.
This position will be responsible for the direct daily care and culture of approximately 6,000 white sturgeon larvae as well as over 300,000 rainbow trout. The white sturgeon conservation aquaculture recovery efforts are conducted at the Sherman Creek hatchery to facilitate monitoring, collecting, creel surveys and rearing of wild sturgeon and wild sturgeon larvae in the upper Columbia River.
This position will also assist in other fish culture operations at Sherman Creek Hatchery including net pen operations to stock rainbow trout for harvest and subsistence fishing in the Columbia River above Grand Coulee Dam.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 will,
Performs fish marking techniques for identification and recovery of species:
- Identifies and sorts for spawning individual adult fish according to species, gender, condition of maturity, or other defined characteristics.
- Influences the rate of development of eggs and fry by temperature manipulation of water.
- Calculates desired growth rates and target sizes through yearly rearing cycle that monitor fish sizes using samples and feed conversions.
- Calculates daily feed requirements, feeding frequency, and delivery rates based on species, densities, fish size, temperature, flows, turbidity, dissolved oxygen levels.
- Monitors fish behavior and records mortalities; examines mortalities for clinical signs of fish pathogens; monitors water quality and rearing environments; notifies supervisor and Fish Health Specialists/Aquatic Animal Health Veterinarians when abnormalities occur.
- Operates vehicles equipped with fish tanks of various sizes in compliance with state and federal laws; operates boats daily and may be required to maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License, as needed.
- Collects, monitors, and records weather and water quality parameters which include temperatures, flow, turbidity, dissolved oxygen/total gas, pH, total suspended solids (TSS), and settleable solids (SS); monitors, adjusts, and maintains water treatment systems.
Operation and Maintenance of Facility:
- Makes scheduled and emergency repairs to structures such as buildings, docks, rearing vessels, and net pens; operates, monitors, maintains, and repairs mechanical or electrical systems for chemical delivery, domestic and hatchery water supplies, feed delivery, filters and hatchery intakes, sewage, and ventilation; operates, inspects, adjusts, maintains, and repairs pumps and pump motors, gas and propane generators, small engines, boats, and heating systems.
- Operates, monitors, and responds to all alarms that provide security and facility protection.
- Wears and uses employee safety equipment as directed; inspects, cleans, repairs and maintains safety equipment; tests safety equipment and maintains up to date training in its use.
- Maintains facility-wide biosecurity and ensures all workers, volunteers and members of the public follow biosecurity guidelines.
Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards: Outside in all weather conditions about 250 days a year. Repetitively lift at least 50lbs. Employee will 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.
Schedule: Work is 24/7 non-scheduled, typically 7:30am-4:00pm. This position may require standby, 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, followed by 4 days off.
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 on and be off four (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: No additional housing is available at this time.
Travel: Occasional travel which may include training opportunities.
Tools and Equipment: Hand and power tools, vehicles, and boat operation.
Customer interactions: Responds to/answers questions from visitors or outside entities and participate with educational presentations.
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: An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely allied field.
Option 2: Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or a closely allied field.
Option 3: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.
Option 4: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver’s license.
Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (Goal Class):
Option 1: One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program.
Option 2: An associate’s degree in fisheries technology or closely allied field and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 3: 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.
Option 4: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 5: Four (4) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.
For all of the above: Candidate should have an understanding of basic fish culture techniques and rearing procedures.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Valid driver’s license
- A Class B Commercial Driver’s License will be required within six months of hire (agency will provide training)
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
Knowledge of:
- Fish species, gender, and disease signs.
- Biological principles, hydrology, fish ecology, river ecosystem, spawning protocols.
- Fish culture methods and techniques.
- Math and descriptive statistics.
- Scientific terminology and techniques.
- Mechanical equipment repair.
- Methods, equipment, and supplies used in maintenance of hatchery structures and grounds.
- Water dynamics (e.g. flows, flow patterns, availability, temperature, dissolved oxygen, etc.).
- Basic math (add, subtract, multiply, and divide).
- Ability to calculate and understand quantities and proportions.
- Basic understanding of spreadsheets and word processing.
- Knowledge of and ability to calibrate specialized instruments (e.g. scales, dissolved oxygen meters, flow meters, and pressure gauges).
Your application should 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 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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov