Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 - McKernan Hatchery - Permanent - *02749-24 Apply
Description
Fish Program - Hatcheries Division
STANDBY DUTIES ARE CURRENTLY ASSIGNED
Support salmon, steelhead, and trout conservation while contributing to the sport, tribal, and commercial fisheries in Washington State.
The McKernan Hatchery is one of the highest producing fish hatcheries in the nation, handling an average of 47,000 adults and taking over 18 million eggs per year!
Thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, lead a crew during the day-to-day facility operations, and accomplish production goals at the McKernan Hatchery!
With that in mind,
With your experience you will lead crew members in feeding, cleaning, and transferring fish in addition to determining the proper rearing densities for ponding and planting fish.
This is an opportunity to identify and communicate opportunities to improve fish culture practices.
You are excited to independently implement on site biological research projects to collect genetic samples and train staff in proper procedures/research protocols.
We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Duties
Pouring Salmon Eggs into Incubation Trays - Photo Credit: WDFW
Our Fish Hatchery Specialist 3,
Performs Fish Culture:
- Performs fish inventories, splits, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
- Monitors fish behavior and health. Calculates amount of therapeutic drug to be administered when prescribed.
- Plan and coordinate rearing densities, intra- and inter- facility transfers of fish, and releases to meet short- and long- range program goals.
- Consult with Fish Health Specialist to design and implement the protocols for drug treatments, record and report the results.
- Coordinates the disposition of non-viable and surplus eggs, organizes the transfer of eggs; directs the distribution of carcasses to contract vendors or agency approved entities.
- Collects ovarian, kidney, and spleen samples for virology purposes.
- Calculates number of adults (Brood) needed using fecundity and mortality data to achieve egg take goals.
- Utilizes, MS-222 to temporarily sedate fish for sampling, sorting, and spawning.
Crew Leader:
- Carries out assignments as a working leader.
- Monitors projects/activities to ensure completion in a timely manner.
- The lead responsible for safety rule compliance, training, documentation and ensures hazards are addressed.
- Demonstrates, instructs, and trains others in methods on how to complete tasks.
- Resolves issues and problems as they arise and responds to change.
- Plans daily and cyclic hatchery work schedules.
Physical Operation and Maintenance of Facility:
- Ensures that the working components of the fish hatchery are kept in good condition (i.e., pumps & motors, vehicles, alarms, generators, water chiller, and egg pickers.
Communications:
- Keeps supervisor and management well-informed on production issues that may lead to fish health concerns or program shortfalls.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Setting, including hazards:
- Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions typically 250 days per year and usually based on the remoteness of the facility will be working alone about half the time.
- Occasionally will be required to repetitively lift or move at least 50 lbs. bags of salt, salt blocks, and fish feed.
- The Skokomish Valley Floods and it is not rare for the hatchery to be inaccessible up to 72 hours a few times a year.
- Schedule:
- 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Monday Friday.
- The work hours can 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 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:
- Housing is provided for this position.
- Travel Requirements:
- Travel may be required for short periods of time to accomplish agency goals and required trainings.
- Tools and Equipment:
- Hand & power tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, small and large fish 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 powered equipment, computers and software and a Chiller for Otolith marking.
- Customer Interactions:
- Communicate effectively with public and volunteers on a regular basis.
- Interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis who visit the hatchery to answer questions and give tours.
Qualifications
- One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.
- Associates degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field and two (2) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
- Bachelors degree in fisheries, biology or closely allied field and two (2) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
- 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 Bachelors degree.
- Valid drivers license is required.
- Some positions require a valid Class A or Class B Commercial Drivers License.
- Some positions require a valid Washington State Pesticide Applicators License
- This position requires standby with a response time of 10-45 minutes, depending on fry development and loading densities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Two-or four-year degree in Fisheries or closely associated field.
Supplemental Information
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.
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 cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
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
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 agencys 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 kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must 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 kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must 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.
As part of WDFWs 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 please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email JaymeChase@dfw.wa.gov, 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.
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