Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) – Soos Creek Hatchery – Permanent – *02104-25

Description

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)
Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent 
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Auburn, Washington – King County- Soos Creek Hatchery 
Housing- No Additional Housing Available. On-site living accommodations (Travel Trailer) including utilities are available for standby duties
*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. 
Please Note- The salary listed does not include the 5% premium pay granted to all King County Employees

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Soos Creek Hatchery – Photo Credit: WDFW

Join the future of fish conservation in Washington while gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Contribute to scientific, technical, and maintenance operations at Soos Creek Hatchery, Palmer Ponds, and Icy Creek Acclimation Sites, helping to rear anadromous fish species.

What to Expect-

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

Perform Fish Culture: 

• Calculate and feed fish according to pond populations and weight samples. 
• Monitor fish behavior and health.
• Monitor egg and fish production. Disinfect and count eggs. 
• Administer therapeutics, calculate, and administer drugs as prescribed.
• Identify, sort, and sample species for spawning and adult distribution
• Clean ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Identify marked adults and collect tags/marks for biological sampling.
• Record data and can identify multiple marks by sight, UV lights or mechanical devices.
• 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.
• Collect adult mortality and fill out correct head tags for brood stock and enter data into hatchery documents and fish books.
• Understand and follow proper safety protocols for handling and storing hazardous chemicals and drugs used in treatments, including formalin, peroxide, anesthetics, paint thinner, gasoline/diesel, potassium, and other chemicals.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments.
• Perform maintenance duties in and around hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
• Apply herbicides or controlled burning for weed control. 
• Maintain hatchery housing, i.e., build/maintain fences, plumbing and minor electrical repairs.
• Operate forklifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pumps and common power tools.

Record Keeping and Reporting:

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Work outside in all weather conditions (approximately 250 days a year). This includes inclement weather such as rain, snow, sun, dark, cold, or hot temperatures. 
• At times this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50lbs. and use a respirator and other personal protective equipment (PPE) while working with various chemicals used at the facility. 
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. 

Schedule: Monday – Wednesday (24/7) non-scheduled. The work hours can vary greatly at different times of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions

Housing: No additional housing available. On-site living accommodations (Travel Trailer) including utilities are available for standby duties

Standby: This position requires standby. The employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. The standby schedule consists of working 10 consecutive days, including 7 days of standby duty, followed by 4 days off. Response time to the facility varies on time of year between 10 minutes – 45 minutes.
 
Travel Requirements: Travel may be required to accomplish agency goals.
 
Tools and Equipment: Power and 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, coded wire tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine, computers and software.
 
Customer Interactions: Communicate effectively with public and volunteers. Employee will interact with small community groups and individual constituents 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:

Option 1: Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field.

Option 2: Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology or 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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position requires 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. Management may determine whether it is necessary to assign standby 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.
• Forklift Certification, respirator and CPR training required within six (6) months of employment.

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

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position requires 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. Management may determine whether it is necessary to assign standby 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.
• Forklift Certification, respirator and CPR training required within six (6) months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all 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 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-02104.

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