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!
Photo Caption – Spring Chinook Smolts – Photo Credit: 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