Title – Coastal Regional Hatchery Operations Manager
Classification - WMS Band 2 
Job Status - Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program - Fish Program – Hatchery Division
Duty Station – Montesano, Washington is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate, other duty stations in the region may be considered. 
Coastal Region 6 - Counties Served - Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, and Thurston.
Remote Employment – This position may include telework options up to 2 – 3 days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.
Posting Timeframe - This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until January 26, 2026.   First review of applications will take place January 5, 2026.  Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible, this recruitment may be closed at any time. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

The Hatcheries Operations Manager plays a critical role in advancing fish conservation and enhancement in Coastal Region 6.

With your hatchery experience and leadership, you will oversee operations across 23 hatcheries, supervise Hatchery Division staff, and guide strategic program development throughout the region.

In this role, you will ensure efficient fish culture practices, maintain compliance with federal and state regulations, manage budgets and contracts, and collaborate across Fish Program teams to implement hatchery reform and conservation strategies that support the conservation, enhancement, and sustainable management of Washington’s fish populations.

What to Expect-

In this role, the Coastal Regional Hatchery Operations Manager provides strategic leadership for managing and sustaining Washington’s fish populations. Key responsibilities include:

Leadership and Supervision: Ensure that staff understand and meet goals and expectations and accepts responsibility for results.  Promote cohesive, cooperative teamwork within operational guidelines.

Budget Management: Track, review and coordinate adjustments for regional budgets and ensure expenditures match allotments. Ensure that budget proposals are accurate and with costs fully documented before presenting to Fish Program or funding entities. 

Long-term, Strategic Planning: Develop strategic plans that reflect understanding/consideration for key issues and needs of constituents and the agency. Forecast production changes and coordinate with the Regional Fish Program Manager (RFPM) to determine future needs to meet emerging trends or management objectives. 

Internal and External Constituent Communications: Ensure that affected parties are kept informed about agency and Fish Program goals and activities. 

Managing Hatchery Production in the Region: Ensure that fish brood documents are understood, modified as required, and complied with for state and federal standards as well as tribal-state obligations. The region 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. Facility structures meet all current and long-term operational needs. 

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards:  Work is performed in an office environment, with approximately 50% of the time spent traveling and conducting fieldwork to support fish management activities and visit hatchery facilities within Region 6.

Schedule: Overtime exempt, expected to schedule time within a typical 40-hour work week, may need to adjust schedule and work additional hours as needed to meet business demands and deadlines.

Travel Requirements: Some travel, including occasional overnight travel to attend or present at conferences or meetings, primarily in state.

Qualifications:

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

Five (5) years of professional experience in fish culture operations, including:

• Fish health diagnosis, treatment, and management.
• Salmonid fish culture practices.
• Application of hatchery reform and salmon conservation principles.

Two (2) years of professional experience in/with:

• Supervising staff – including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, and evaluating performance.
• Managing and negotiating hatchery budgets.
• Maintaining effective working relationships with federal, tribal, and other agencies including state-tribal coordination, stakeholder engagement, and representing programs in public forums.
• Applying federal, state, and tribal regulations related to fish production.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).

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:

• An associates degree or higher in fisheries technology, biology, or a related field. 
• Two (2) or more years of experience working with diverse operation budgets and budget management. 
• Five (5) or more years of experience supervising hatchery staff.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience in salmonid culture.

Experience with: 

• Collective bargaining agreements. 
• Regional salmon recovery plans.
• Developing contracts. 
• Maintaining working relationships with Federal, Tribal, and / or other agencies Proficiency with computers and software including Word, Excel, Statewide Cost Allocation Plan (CAPS), and Fishbooks (WDFW).

Knowledge of: 

• Federal, state, and tribal regulations. 

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. 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

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: 2025-1234 – 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 #2025-08817.

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