Animal Caretaker

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Underwood, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Caretaker works at Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery and participates in the hatchery’s full fish-production cycle, from spawning and egg care through feeding, hatching, raising fry, rearing and releasing adult fish, and harvesting eggs for the next cycle. The caretaker observes fish and determines appropriate care and feeding based on those observations. The position also involves operating forklifts and performing general maintenance of buildings, grounds, facilities, and fleet vehicles using hand tools and power equipment.

The role requires heavy physical effort, including frequent handling and movement of fish, feed, and supplies; prolonged standing, walking, stooping, bending, and climbing; and working with live fish, sometimes with hands immersed in cold water. The employee may need to work rapidly during emergencies and spawning operations. Work takes place indoors and outdoors in a quasi-industrial environment, including around running water and on wet or slippery surfaces, and can involve exposure to varying temperatures and weather, odors, noise, dust, and dirt. The employee must follow safety procedures and use provided safety equipment and protective clothing.

The position requires a valid state driver’s license, wearing the Service Uniform, responding to assigned evening and weekend alarms within 15 minutes, and potentially working shifts, emergency overtime, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication, and the employee must serve a probationary period. Applicants must reside within 75 miles of the duty station and provide proof of residency.

Requirements

• Sufficient knowledge and ability to perform Animal Caretaker duties at the WG-5 level without more than normal supervision, including catching and handling fish with nets or hands; providing scheduled feedings; picking mortalities daily; recognizing obvious behavioral changes such as refusal to feed; and keeping records of fish size, weight, sex, and age.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license for the duration of the appointment.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must meet Selective Service registration requirements if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Must wear the Service Uniform in accordance with Service Uniform Policy 041 FW 4; a uniform allowance is provided to employees required to wear it.
• Must respond to assigned alarms on evenings and weekends within 15 minutes.
• Must be able to perform heavy physical work, including frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling items up to 50 pounds and occasional lifting of 80–100 pounds; prolonged standing, walking, stooping, bending, and climbing; and handling live fish.
• Must follow safety procedures and wear required protective clothing and gear.
• Must reside within 75 miles of the duty station at the time of application and provide proof of residency.
• Must serve a probationary period; continued employment requires written agency certification.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the hatchery production cycle, including spawning, egg care, feeding, hatching, fry care and raising, adult fish rearing and release, and egg harvesting.
• Observe fish and determine appropriate care and feeding needs.
• Operate electric, gasoline, or diesel-powered forklifts with rated lifting capacity under 10,000 pounds, including moving, transporting, and stacking goods and materials.
• Perform general maintenance of buildings, grounds, facilities, and fleet vehicles using simple hand tools and power equipment.
• Pick up trash, empty trashcans, mow grass, trim shrubs, clear small trees or brush, make minor repairs to traps and fences, and wash or clean vehicles.
• Respond to assigned alarms on evenings and weekends within 15 minutes.
• Follow safety procedures and use standard safety equipment and protective clothing and gear.

Benefits

• Uniform allowance for employees required to wear the Service Uniform.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed