Fish Hatchery Specialist 4 – Voights Creek Hatchery – Permanent – 2026-04426

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 4
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station– Voights Creek Hatchery – Orting, Washington – Pierce County
Housing- Housing is available.
Standby- Standby is assigned.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Embrace this role to manage and supervise two facilities, Voights Creek and Puyallup.

As a leader, you will support staff by setting clear goals, fostering professional growth, and promoting safe and efficient performance.

With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will provide sustainable fishing opportunities for residents as well as commercial and tribal interests in the South Puget Sound area.

WHAT TO EXPECT –
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Supervision.

• Carries out personnel actions, e.g.: recruitment, hire recommendations, evaluations, corrective actions.
• Ensure that expectations are adhered to.
• Coordinates operations of assigned facilities.
• Responds to workload demands by coordinating staffing across hatchery facilities. Ensures that workload demands are met within their assigned facility as well as other facilities within their region through coordination between the supervisors of those facilities.
• Develop work plans.
• Ensures safety compliance and safety training coordination.
• Serves as a leader/role model for other staff.

Managing facility production.

• Meets with fish health specialist to ensure production quality.
• Communicates with hatchery staff the emerging fish health issues.
• Develops with fish health staff and hatchery staff proactive approaches to ensure best fish health possible.
• Ensures that policies and/or guidelines such as HEAT, HGMP, and HSRG are followed.
• Communicates with inter-agency programs and external entities such as Tribal co-managers, Local Co-Operators, NOAA, USFWS.
• Reviews and interprets the Future Brood Document (FBD).
• Identifies and communicates changes needed in Future Brood Document, concerning the decision-making for the planning, and raising of future stock, to the Operation Manager; completes all paperwork for any changes to Future Brood Document.  Manages all activities related to the annual fish rearing and release plan for the hatchery.

Managing facility budgets.

• Develop budgets and spending plans which identify routine and future financial needs of facility, program and agency.
• Responsible for accurate and timely expenditure tracking.
• Independently adjusts spending patterns to meet allotments and changing needs.
• Communicates budget status and needs to staff and supervisor.

Operations management and compliance.

• Trains and ensures staff compliance with policy, procedure, laws, rules, regulations, i.e. HSRG, HGMP, DOE, L&I, SARA Title 2, DOT, Co-Managers, NOAA, USFW as it pertains to facility production and operation.
• As the ranking on-site Agency employee, responsible for resolving issues and problems as they arise. Communicates and coordinates with agency personnel and outside entities as needed to resolve issues.
• Responsible for ensuring facility upkeep and maintenance. Communicates with agency personnel, or contacts contractors to coordinate repairs or improvements. When possible, repair and maintain or directs staff to repair or maintain facility infrastructure or equipment.
• Prioritizes and coordinates implementation of upgrade/repair and communicates to C.M. or other agency personnel.

Internal/External Communications.

• Coordinates and communicates as agency lead with constituent groups and volunteers and State, local, federal, Tribal entities to achieve agency mission (e.g. artificial production and nutrient enhancement).
• Represents agency policy when speaking in public forums and to constituent requests.  Performs work previously performed by the COESS classification since it has been abolished.
• Represents the agency professionally and communicates effectively on potentially sensitive policy issues to influence decision making of internal or external entities.
• Communicates to staff how facility programs help the agency to achieve its mission.
• Responds to information requests from agency staff or external entities regarding facility production or other relevant information, such as rearing costs, operations, water rights, facility repair or upgrade, maintenance questions, adult return numbers, release number and policy compliance. e.g.   public disclosure requests (PDR), JLARC. This may include requests from the media, such as television, radio, and web-based news entities. Refers requests to proper contacts within the agency.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: May encounter adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating, climbing in and out of boats, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted), standing in confined spaces, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, may transport agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday.  The work hours can vary greatly for this position 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. When on standby this position will require the employee to work ten days (10) and be off for four (4) days.

All applicants applying for this position should understand that standby is a requirement for all positions in the Fish Hatchery Specialist series. Management may determine 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.
 
Housing: Housing is provided for this position.

Travel requirements: Travel may be required for short periods of time to accomplish agency goals and required training, or to attend meetings.

Customer Interactions: Interaction with co-managers and constituents almost daily. At times communicate with media outlets.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 3.

Option 2: Associate degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field, and three (3) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 3: A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology or closely allied field, and three (3) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 4: Seven (7) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.

For ALL options above:

• Valid driver’s license.
• One year of leadership/supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Three years or more of experience in/with:

• Coordinating hatchery operations to meet production goals while ensuring compliance with policy and regulatory requirements.
• Applying advanced knowledge of hatchery systems, including equipment calibration, maintenance, and operational troubleshooting.
• Balancing fish health, production targets, staffing capacity, and regulatory compliance.
• Leading and supporting staff through training, mentoring, performance management, and day-to-day technical guidance.
• Implementing hiring, onboarding, and employee performance management processes.
• Interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements related to scheduling, overtime, and compensation.
• Interpreting and applying agency policies, procedures, and operational directives.
• Promoting and maintaining a safe work environment and culture of accountability.

One year or more of experience in/with: 

• Operating and maintaining specialized hatchery equipment, including coded wire tag (CWT) detectors, fish pumps, pond vacuum systems, weirs, seines, fish counters, and chemical treatment systems.
• Safely operating and performing basic maintenance on heavy and light equipment (e.g., forklifts, tractors, backhoes, mowers).
• Applying fish production protocols and policies (e.g., HEAT, HGMP, HSRG).
• Using standard software (Excel, Word, Outlook) and agency systems (e.g., VMTS, Enterprise Reporting, payroll systems).
• Following established processes for purchasing, equipment procurement, and routing or approving forms and requests.
• Applying safety principles, policies, training requirements, and standard operating procedures.
• Managing multi-species rearing programs and coordinating staff across on-site and remote facilities.
• Supporting budget tracking, contract administration, and basic inventory control practices.
• Performing basic carpentry, small engine operation and troubleshooting, and general equipment servicing and maintenance.
• Applying basic knowledge of pumps, plumbing, and hydrology.
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external partners.
• Demonstrating general familiarity with agency policies and procedures.

Your Application must 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 (3) 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 – WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife 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 & Wildlife Professionals.

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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-04426.

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