Hatchery Operations Manager - Region 4 Central - WMS Band 2 - Permanent - 2026-06664

State of Washington

Sultan (WA)

Hybrid

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

11 hours ago

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Job summary

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking a Hatchery Operations Manager for Region 4 Central. You will provide strategic leadership for five hatchery facilities and supervise a team dedicated to advancing fish conservation, hatchery operations, and fishery enhancement throughout North Puget Sound.

You will oversee fish production programs, support hatchery reform initiatives, and ensure safe, efficient, and compliant hatchery operations while collaborating with Tribes and

Qualifications

Associate’s degree in fish biology, fish culture, or a closely related field is required.
Two years of professional experience in/with supervising hatchery staff and managing budgets is required.
Experience with fish health diagnosis, treatment, and management practices is required.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for five hatchery facilities and supervise a team.
Oversee hatchery production programs and ensure compliant operations.
Collaborate with Tribes, partner agencies, and Fish Program teams to implement conservation strategies.
Ensure facilities operate within permits, policies, and procedures.

Skills

Resident fish culture practices

Salmonid fish culture practices

Fish health diagnosis, treatment and管理

Education

Associate’s degree in fish biology, fish culture, or a closely related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Title – Hatchery Operations Manager - Region 4 Central

Classification – WMS Band 2

Job Status – Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program – Fish Program – Hatcheries Division

Duty Station – Sultan, Washington – Snohomish County

North Puget Sound Region 4 Counties Served – Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom.

Remote Employment – This position may include telework options up to 4 days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.

Posting Timeframe – This recruitment has been extended and is now scheduled to be posted until October 1, 2026 to increase the applicant pool.

As our Hatchery Operations Manager for Region 4 Central, you will provide strategic leadership for five hatchery facilities and supervise a team dedicated to advancing fish conservation, hatchery operations, and fishery enhancement throughout North Puget Sound.

In this role, you will oversee fish production programs, support hatchery reform initiatives, and ensure safe, efficient, and compliant hatchery operations.

Working collaboratively with Tribes, partner agencies, volunteers, and Fish Program teams, you will help implement conservation and recovery strategies that contribute to the long-term sustainability of Washington’s fish populations.

What To Expect

Leadership and Supervision: Ensure that staff understand and meet goals and expectations and accept responsibility for results. Promote cohesive, cooperative teamwork within operational guidelines.
Budget Management: Ensure that budget proposals are accurate and with costs fully documented before presenting to Fish Program or funding entities. All complex facilities are operated within adopted budget allotments.
Long-term, Strategic Planning: Develop strategic plans that reflect understanding/consideration for key issues and needs of constituents and the agency. Ensure that plans are proactively developed to meet emerging trends with needs, issues, and recommendations clearly documented in writing for future reference.
Internal and External Constituent Communications: Ensure that affected parties are kept informed about agency and Fish Program goals and activities.
Managing Production of the Complex: Ensures that brood documents are understood, modified as required, and complied with and the complex meets its expected contribution to achieving agency performance measures.
Operational and Administrative Compliance: Ensure that facilities operate in compliance with all permits, policies, and procedures.

Working Conditions

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed in an office setting with rare outdoor facilitation of hatchery operations.

Schedule: Position is overtime exempt – expected to schedule time within a typical 40-hour work week (typically 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. - Monday – Friday).

Travel Requirements: Frequent travel between complex facilities, and occasionally to Olympia and Regional Offices – traveling may occur during inclement weather.

Qualifications

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Required Qualifications

An Associate’s degree in fish biology, fish culture, or a closely related field.

AND ALL of the following experience is required; experience may be gained concurrently:

Resident fish culture practices.
Salmonid fish culture practices.
Fish health diagnosis, treatment and management practices.

Two (2) Years Of Professional Experience In/with

Supervising hatchery staff.
Working with diverse operation budgets and budget management.
Negotiating hatchery budgets.
Maintaining working relationships with Federal, Tribal and/or other agencies.
Knowledge and use of federal, state and tribal regulations or other relevant hatchery regulations.
Proficiency with computers and software including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Competencies

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Certifications/Licenses

Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in fish culture or fish health, or a closely related field.
Experience developing contracts.
Proficiency with CAPS (Centralized Accounting and Processing System).

Your Application Should 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 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.

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

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 kaila.daudt@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: 2026-1234 – 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 kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-06664.

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More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑rate basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑rate basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Are you currently an employee of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife? This includes permanent, non‑permanent, intern, project, and career seasonal.

Do you have a valid driver's license? Write "Yes" if you have a valid driver's license or write "No" if you do not have a valid driver's license.

Do you have an Associate’s degree or a higher level degree in fish biology, fish culture, or a closely related field?

If yes, please list your degree(s) and field of study. If no, please describe how your relevant professional experience meets the year-for-year substitution for the required education.

Please select the option that best describes your advanced, senior‑level professional experience with resident fish culture practices, salmonid fish culture practices, and fish health diagnosis, treatment, and management practices.

No experience.
Less than 5 years of experience.
5 years – 7 years of experience.
7 or more years of experience.

Please briefly describe your advanced, senior‑level professional experience with resident fish culture practices, salmonid fish culture practices, and fish health diagnosis, treatment, and management practices. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).

Do you have at least two (2) years of professional experience supervising hatchery staff?

Please describe your experience supervising hatchery staff, including the scope of your supervisory responsibilities, and explain the qualities or practices that contribute to your success as a leader. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).

Do you have at least two (2) years of professional experience managing and negotiating hatchery budgets?

Do you have at least two (2) years of professional experience maintaining working relationships with Federal, Tribal and/or other agencies?

Please briefly describe your professional experience collaborating with federal, tribal, and other agencies, including how you have maintained effective working relationships. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).

How did you hear about this job posting? (Select all that apply).