Coastal Hatchery Operations Manager – Region 6 – Wms Band 2

The Coastal Hatchery Operations Manager at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife oversees operations for eight hatcheries, ensuring compliance and efficient fish production. Required qualifications include an Associate's degree in fish biology or related fields, along with extensive experience in fish culture practices and staff supervision. The role involves budget management, strategic planning, and communication with stakeholders. The position is based in Montesano, WA.
Position Overview


Application Deadline: 5/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Salary: $108,264 Annually


Education Required: Associate’s degree in fish biology, fish culture, or a closely related field.


Experience Required: 5 years of professional experience in resident and salmonid fish culture practices and 2 years of professional experience in all of the following:

supervising staff, negotiating hatchery budgets, inter-governmental/agency relations, knowledge of federal, state and tribal regulations, and proficiency with computers and software.


Description


The Coastal Hatchery Operations Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for eight (8) hatcheries in Region 6, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant fish production in support of conservation and fisheries management objectives.


This is an exciting opportunity to lead the implementation of hatchery reform initiatives, including broodstock management planning, Hatchery Management Planning (HMP) development, and identification of capital and maintenance needs, in close collaboration with tribal partners, fisheries staff, and other key stakeholders.


In this role, you will serve as the primary point of contact for brood documentation and coordination, ensure fiscal accountability across assigned facilities, and manage budgets and operational contracts to support long-term program success.


Responsibilities



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: Ensure that budget proposals are accurate and with costs fully documented before presenting to the 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. 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 Hatchery Production in the Region: Ensure that fish brood documents are understood, modified as required, and within compliance.

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.


Minimum Requirements



Valid Driver’s License.
An Associate’s degree in fish biology, fish culture, or a closely related field.
Five (5) years of professional experience in fish culture operations, including:

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.



Preferred Qualifications



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).

Additional Notes



Work is performed in an office environment, with frequent travel between hatchery facilities, and occasionally to Olympia and Regional Offices.
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.
WDFW is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion.
Veterans and military spouses may qualify for preference.
Comprehensive benefits available, as listed on the WDFW careers site.

How to Apply


Applications must be submitted to careers.wa.gov and include:



Completed online application
Resume
Cover letter
Three professional references

Apply online: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/5311398/coastal-hatchery-operations-manager-region-6-wms-band-2-permanent-2026-03


For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

For questions about this position, email kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-03254.