Title- Hatchery Project Management Lead
Classification- Management Analyst 5 (MA5)
Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Hybrid/Telework- While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

In this position, you will serve as the lead management analyst within the Hatchery Division. 

You’ll provide expert-level analysis and project management in support of agency priorities, including the Governor’s 2019 Southern Resident Orca Prey Initiative, Cooperative Projects, hatchery operations, and budget oversight. 

You’ll be responsible for organizing, analyzing, and implementing agency policies and operations related to strategic initiatives, organizational planning, fiscal management, and legislative affairs. 

With your experience you will identify operational challenges, develop and evaluate solutions, and present recommendations and feasibility studies to Executive Management and Fish Program Leadership. 

Success in this position requires close collaboration with Fish Program divisions, regional staff, and cross-agency partners to effectively advance salmon recovery and conservation goals.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Hatchery Project Management Lead will,

Project Management:

• Agency lead for the legislature-funded, multimillion-dollar 2019 Governor’s Orca Prey Initiative.
• Develop recommendations on increased hatchery production that will shape agency policy and decision making related to the Prey Initiative. 
• Prepare complex reports on research findings, policy implications, and effectiveness of increased hatchery production.
• Track deliverables and present findings to the legislature, stakeholders, and executive management team.
• Facilitate discussions and workshops with scientists, policymakers, and community members to balance hatchery production and conservation goals. 
• Stay current on fisheries and orca conservation research through reviewing scientific literatures and participating in conferences and workshops.
• Research and identify funding opportunities, draft grant proposals, and manage relationships with funding organization and grant recipients.
• Manage contracts, budgets and emerging issues to hatchery production related to the Prey Initiative.
• Serve as Division Coordinator for the Remote Site Incubation task force, developing guidelines, policies, and permitting frameworks, reviewing permits, and updating practices to ensure compliance and wildlife safety.

Operations:

• Provide analytics and reporting of organizational performance metrics and operational data to support strategic decision making. 
• Develop and present reports and visualizations to executive management and program leadership, highlighting insights and recommendations for improving operational and financial effectiveness of statewide salmonid and game fish management. 
• Oversee budget development, planning, and Decision Packages for priority projects, recommending strategies to secure additional funding.
• Manage significant budgets and contracts, ensuring compliance with statues, policies, and audit standards.
• Prepare legislative bill analyses, fiscal notes, and budgetary requests.
• Develop and implement plans to advance fish propagation and conservation initiatives efficiently and lawfully.
• Collaborate with division management and hatchery staff to create and update Operations Manuals, Maintenance Schedules, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for hatchery facilities.
• Coordinate with the Department’s Water Rights Specialist to monitor and track hatchery water rights.
• Oversee public-facing materials and maintain documentation in SharePoint for accessibility.
• Track large equipment inventory and advise on replacement and purchase schedules.
• Facilitate collaboration with governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, tribes, and community groups to ensure project outcomes.

Fish Production Cooperative Program Agency Lead:

• Serve as lead expert for the Fish Production Cooperative Program, overseeing projects releasing 11 million eggs and fish annually.
• Coordinate cross-program support from Habitat and Conservation Programs for new or modified projects.
• Manage application and review process for admitting new cooperatives into the program. 
• Ensure program outcomes are documented through reporting of fish release information and reconcile participant lists with hatchery pre-season planning (Future Brood Document).
• Provide guidance to participants on requirements, rules, and reporting. 
• Develop, monitor, and update program procedures to ensure compliance with internal and external audit standards.
• Recommend, develop, and implement strategies to improve program effectiveness.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

Office work setting. Strong mental focus required dealing with complex and intricate data-related issues. 

Schedule:

Generally, work in an office environment, which may include teleworking from your home office, on a 5-day, 40 hour/week schedule. Supervisor may pre-approve deviations from this schedule for business and customer service needs.

Travel Requirements:

Some travel within Washington State may be needed occasionally to attend WDFW trainings or other in-person meetings. Overnight travel is rare but may occur to attend workshops and conferences.

Customer Interactions:

Work with the Fish Hatchery Division Unit Leaders and staff, Fish Program leadership and staff, Conservation Program, Habitat Program, Wildlife Program, WDFW Director’s office, Budget, Fiscal, and Contracts staff, other tribal, federal, state and local entities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1:

• Six (6) years of professional experience in natural resource management, environmental or natural resources science, or fishery/hatchery-related research, business administration, public administration, accounting, auditing, budgeting or a related field, to include experience in one (1) or more of the following areas:
  • Budget and project management, to include large, complex projects.
  • Consolidating and reconciling business plans, biennial budgets, allotments and related activities.
  • Data analysis and preparation of comprehensive narrative statements supporting complex operational reports.
  • Formulating and manipulating tables and spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft Word/Excel).
  • Reviewing, analyzing, and preparing replies to Legislative Bill Analysis and Fiscal Note assignments.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the hatchery production planning process and Washington state fisheries and hatchery operations.
  • Understanding of the Southern Resident orca population dynamics and the ecological factors influencing their recovery, particularly in relation to prey availability.

Option 2:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, auditing, budgeting, Environmental Science, Natural Resources Science, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of professional experience in natural resource management, environmental or natural resources science, or fishery/hatchery-related research, business administration, public administration, accounting, auditing, budgeting or a related field, to include experience in one (1) or more of the following areas: 
  • Budget and project management, to include large, complex projects.
  • Consolidating and reconciling business plans, biennial budgets, allotments and related activities.
  • Data analysis and preparation of comprehensive narrative statements supporting complex operational reports.
  • Formulating and manipulating tables and spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft Word/Excel).
  • Reviewing, analyzing, and preparing replies to Legislative Bill Analysis and Fiscal Note assignments.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the hatchery production planning process and Washington state fisheries and hatchery operations.
  • Understanding of the Southern Resident orca population dynamics and the ecological factors influencing their recovery, particularly in relation to prey availability.

AND all of the following:

• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Team leadership for multidisciplinary project teams.
• Critical thinking, complex analysis, and problem solving.

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

• A comparable combination of graduate education and experience (i.e. Master’s degree) in a related field, certification as a Public Accountant, Internal Auditor, Certified Governmental Financial Manager or Management Accountant, Environmental or Natural Resource Sciences.

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 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 #2025-06263.

Follow us on social media:
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram