Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 - Merwin Hatchery - Permanent - *07599-24

The salary listed above includes the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2024.FULL-TIME/PERMANENTFISH HATCHERY SPECIALIST 3MERWIN HATCHERYFish Program- Hatcheries DivisionAriel, Washington- Cowlitz CountySTANDBY NOT CURRENTLY ASSIGNEDHOUSING NOT PROVIDEDThe Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife serves Washington's citizens by protecting, restoring and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, while providing sustainable and wildlife related recreational and commercial opportunities.Be a part of the future of fish conservation in Washington while gaining valuable hands-on experience.This is a leadership opportunity that involves directing the day-to-day facility operations of Merwin Hatchery.Adult coho- Photo credit: WDFWSome of what our Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 will enjoy doing,Fish Culture: * Carries out sound fish culture practices to meet program goals. * Identifies and communicates opportunities to improve fish culture practices. * Projects and monitors fish growth and feed requirements. * Actively seeks to learn new fish culture practices. * Administers and calculates medication levels prescribed to treat fish illness. * Monitors egg and fish production * Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants. * Monitors fish behavior and health. Calculates amount of therapeutic drug to be administered when prescribed.Crew Leader: * Carries out assignments as a working leader. * Monitors projects/activities to ensure completion in a timely manner. * Ensures that the staff is productive and well informed on activities. * The lead responsible for safety rule compliance, training, documentation and ensures hazards are addressed. * Serves as a leader and role model for staff, temporary workers, and volunteers. * Demonstrates, instructs, and trains others in methods on how to complete tasks. * Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement. * 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 working components of the fish hatchery are kept in good condition (i.e. pumps & motors, vehicles, alarms, generators, flashlights)* Identifies and communicates ways to improve the physical plant operation. * Actively identifies safety hazards and takes action or recommends remedies as appropriate. * Ensures timely repairs to facility and infrastructure often requiring the ability to metal weld, cut and drill. * Maintains the grounds in appearance and upkeep during seasonal events, requiring the ability to operate lawn mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, pressure washers, forklifts, tractors, generators, and carpentry power tools. * Maintains facility bio security measures.Communications: * Keeps supervisor and management well-informed on production issues that may lead to fish health concerns or program shortfalls. * Disseminates information from management and supervisor in a positive light that leads to compliance and team building. * Serves as a conduit for safety concerns (management to staff and staff to management)* Represents the agency professionally and communicates effectively. * Communicates with outside entities to implement agency-approved projects, as the facility subject matter expert. * Communicates with Inter-agency employees such as District Biologists and other fish program staff regarding programs or logistics. * Public communications, contact and outreach (visitors, scheduled educational tours, local festivals, volunteers and local school presentations)* Builds spread sheets to help properly communicate and enumerate hatchery programs and stocks of fish reared.WORKING CONDITIONS:* Work Setting, including hazards: * Typically, the employee in this position will be working outside about 250 days a year. This employee will be required to work in all sorts of weather conditions whether it is raining, snowing, sunny, dark, cold or hot. * At times this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50lbs. * The employee will need to use respirator and other PPE while working with various chemicals used at facility. * Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. * Work involves performing strenuous physical activities. * Schedule:* 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Monday- Friday * The work hours can vary greatly for this position at different time of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions. * Travel Requirements: * Travel may be required for short periods of time to accomplish agency goals and required training. * Tools and Equipment: * Perform mechanical tasks using power and hand tools. Employee will work with hand and 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,  CWT identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine powered equipment, 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 who visit the hatchery to answer questions and give tours. * Standby: *

This position does not currently require standby * This position may require standby, which means the employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. When on standby this position will require the employee to work ten (10) days and be off four (4) days. Response time is 15-30 minutes. * Housing: * Housing is not provided.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:* One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.OR* Associate's degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field AND Two (2) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.OR* Bachelor's degree in fisheries, biology, or closely allied field AND Two (2) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.OR* 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: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.Certifications/Licenses: * Valid Driver's License.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: * Two (2) to four (4) year degree in Fisheries or closely allied field.Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.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-documentsJOIN 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 agency's 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: BenefitsMedical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA),  and an Employee Assistance Program.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 EmployerVETERAN 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 diana.humes@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 diana.humes@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 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.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.Follow us on social media:LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagramdh