Fish Hatchery Technician – Non-Permanent – Lyons Ferry Hatchery – 2 Openings – *12598-24

Classification– Fish Hatchery Technician
Job Status– Full-Time / Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies– Two (2)
Appointment Length– Three (3) months – February 3, 2025 – May 2, 2025 
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Hatcheries Division 
Duty Station– Lyons Ferry Hatchery – Starbuck, Washington – Columbia County 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Assist with fish conservation in Washington while gaining valuable hands-on experience!

This is an opportunity to perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties at Lyons Ferry Hatchery.

With your experience, you will rear both anadromous (migratory) and inland species of fish. 

What to Expect-

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

Perform Fish Culture:

• Feed fish their calculated daily ration.
• Monitor fish behavior and health.
• Record daily data on facility and complex forms.
• Participate in fish sampling to determine size.
• Collect mortality, record, and dispose of it appropriately.
• Vacuum and broom raceways to maintain good fish health.
• Remove egg and fish production mortalities and disinfect equipment.
• Identify, sort, and sample species for spawning and adult distribution.
• Clean ponds, raceways, troughs, and incubator systems for fish health.
• Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
• Collect adult mortality, label correct head tags for brood stock, and enter data into hatchery documents and fish books.
• Conduct remote trapping and spawning operations, including transport of equipment and gametes.
• Incubate eggs in various vessels, including shallow troughs and vertical trays.
• Monitor dissolved oxygen levels to maintain proper carrying capacity of rearing units.
• Maintain facility-wide biosecurity, ensuring adherence by volunteers and the public.
• Monitor rearing units for signs of predation and secure rearing areas.
• Follow safety protocols for hazardous chemicals/drugs used for all treatments and chemical storage/handling, such as formalin, peroxide, anesthetics, paint thinner, gas/diesel, potassium, and other chemicals.
• Scan fish for tags using Coded Wire Tag (CWT) wands, Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tag detectors, and other tag-related equipment.
• Monitor water quality parameters with dissolved oxygen meters, calibrating as needed, to ensure a safe rearing environment.

Facility and Equipment Operation and Maintenance:

• Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

Work is performed outside in all weather conditions it includes strenuous physical activities including repetitively lifting at least 50lbs of fish feed. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: 

Monday – Friday, typically 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, 40 hours per week.

Tools and Equipment: 

Power and hand tools, lawn care equipment, egg picking machines, passenger vehicles, coded wire tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine, computers, and software.

Customer Interactions: 

Will occasionally need to answer questions from the public.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver’s license.

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.
• Basic fish culture techniques and rearing procedures.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Excel software.
• Understanding of water dynamics (e.g. flows, flow patterns, availability, temperature, etc.)
• Calibration of specialized instruments (e.g. scales, Dissolved Oxygen meters).
• Basic math skills; calculate and understand quantities and proportions.
• Safe and proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• 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 Ashley.Lee@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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-12598.

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