Fish Hatchery Technician - Soos Creek Hatchery - Non-Permanent
FULL-TIME/NON-PERMANENT
FISH HATCHERY TECHNICIAN
WDFW HATCHERIES DIVISION
SOOS CREEK HATCHERY
Auburn, Washington
Please note: Salary listed does not include the 5% premium pay granted to all King County employees. In addition to the base salary, this position is eligible for 5% premium pay for positions located in King County.
Anticipated Appointment Length: 9 months
January 3, 2021 – September 30, 2022
Are you an experienced Fish Hatchery Technician? Do you want to use your skills to help protect and conserve fish populations in Washington State?
Fish Hatchery Technicians perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties at Soos Creek, Palmer Ponds, and Icy Creek facilities within a complex, rearing anadromous and non-anadromous species of fish.
Come see the work WDFW is doing to plan for the future of fish and wildlife conservation in Washington!
Become part of a dynamic and diverse team of Fish Hatchery Technicians that support the mission of WDFW through performing scientific, technical, and related maintenance at hatchery facilities and trap sites within a complex, rearing anadromous and non-anadromous species of fish.
*Egg picking – Photo Credit: Michael Wilson
With that in mind,
Picture yourself, identifying, sorting, and sampling species for spawning and adult distribution.
With your experience, you will preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
The optimal applicant will have previous experience working at a fish hatchery, and will maintain professional communications when interacting with the public.
We are seeking a candidate who respects and values the opinions of others, creating an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.
*WDFW staff member using a crowder screen – Photo Credit: Michael Wilson
Our Fish Hatchery Technician,
- Feeds fish according to pond populations and weight samples. Adjust feed size and amount fed as directed.
- Monitors egg and fish production, and disinfects and enumerates eggs.
- Cleans ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
- Identifies marked adults and collects tags/marks for bio sampling.
- Assists in inventorying and grading fish populations, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
- Picks eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments.
- Collects adult fish by hook and line, seining, and volunteer or non-volunteer fish trap.
- Assists in identifying all targeted and non-targeted species, gender, stock origin and condition of maturity when trapping and spawning adults.
- Fertilizes eggs with sperm, according to pre-determined ratios using established spawning protocols and HGMP requirements.
- Assists in receiving eggs and samples and distributes them into rearing vessels at correct loadings as well as ponds fry according to proper TU’s.
- Incubates eggs using a variety of vessels including, shallow troughs, isolation buckets, upwelling incubators, and vertical trays.
- Assists in loading fish for transport using a variety of methods such as: electric fish pump, brail, and crane.
- Monitors rearing units for signs of predation and ensures rearing areas are secure.
- Understands correct safety protocols for all hazardous chemicals/drugs used for all treatments and chemical storage/handling (i.e., formalin, peroxide, anesthetics, paint thinner, gas/diesel, potassium, and other chemicals).
- Assists in scanning fish for various tags using coded wire tag wands, pit tag detectors, and other tag associated equipment.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Outdoors in extreme weather conditions performing strenuous physical activities.
Schedule:
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
- Some perform 10 days on and 4 days off, adjusted by workload.
Travel Requirements:
- Travel as needed to meet work demands.
Tools and Equipment:
- Power and hand tools, lawn care equipment, egg picking machines, passenger vehicles, CWT identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine, computers and software.
Customer Interactions:
- Communicate effectively with public and volunteers.
- Interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma or GED.
License:
- Valid Driver’s license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Six (6) months of experience working at a fish hatchery.
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
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 NOTES:
On Monday August 9, 2021, Governor Inslee enacted Proclamation 21-14 which requires that all employees of all state agencies not headed by an elected official be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021 as a condition of employment. Fully vaccinated includes the two-week waiting period after the last shot in each series, or single shot, is given. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide verification of COVID vaccination. A list of acceptable documents to provide verification can be reviewed here: Vaccination acceptable documents link (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.
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:
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:
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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should 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. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
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.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 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.
*Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks.
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