Fish Health Unit Manager

Job Details

Title – Fish Health Unit Manager
Classification - WMS Band 2
Job Status - Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program – Fish Program
Duty Station – Olympia, Washington – Thurston County 
Remote Employment – This position may include telework options up to 4 days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.
Posting Timeframe - This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until May 17, 2026.  The first review of applications will take place April 13, 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 Fish Health Unit Manager provides strategic leadership for a statewide program addressing fish disease, pathogen risks, and environmental stressors, including climate change and habitat impacts. 

The position oversees regulatory functions for commercial finfish aquaculture, supervises a statewide team of veterinarians and pathologists, and advances the capabilities of the WDFW Microbiology Lab through innovation, partnerships, and sustainable funding strategies. 

This position serves as a key liaison between scientific staff and agency leadership, translating microbiology and pathology principles into clear, actionable guidance that informs management decisions and policy development.

This position serves as an agency expert in biosecurity, microbiology, and pathology, with statewide responsibility for safeguarding Washington’s fish, fisheries, and commercial finfish resources from the introduction and spread of pathogens and aquatic pests. 

What to Expect-
In this role, the Fish Health Unit Manager provides statewide leadership, direction, and oversight of fish health programs and operations.  Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain a statewide program for the microbiology lab and statewide fish health field operations (veterinarians and pathologists).
• Coordinate with tribes as required by policy, and with federal, state, and local partners to facilitate communication and sharing of information. 
• Provide direct leadership over three (3) FTEs and indirect oversight of ten (10) additional scientific and technical staff supporting statewide fish health operations.
• Ensure all fish health medical and field and laboratory activities are consistent with federal and state laws and adhere to WDFW policies.
• Represent WDFW in regional, national, and international science and policy forums, such as the Pacific Northwest Fish Health Protection Committee (PNFHPC).
• Manage multiple federal, local, and state contracts.
• Direct and supervise the State's Finfish Transport Permit, commercial aquaculture escapement prevention, and biosecurity and disease surveillance programs.   
• Direct the WDFW inspections and disease sampling at all finfish commercial aquaculture facilities and make regulatory decisions on behalf of the Director to regulate the movement of live fish or fish products.
• Compile and develop rationale for mission critical science and effectively communicate to agency leadership. 
• Serve as the statewide expert in microbiology and other fish health non-medical sciences. 
• Provide expert fish health science information to the Fish Program Director and attorneys, as needed, to address legal issues and lawsuits related to WDFW’s regulatory oversight of commercial aquaculture.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is typically conducted in an office or meeting group setting, with some portion of the time spent in the laboratory and in field settings.

Schedule: At least 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Evening and weekend work may be required. 

Travel Requirements: This position may need to travel for fieldwork or to participate in local, state, national, or international meetings or scientific conferences, as needed.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, pathology, biology, zoology, fisheries science, or closely related appropriate fields in the natural sciences. 

AND all of the following (may be gained concurrently): 

• A minimum of ten (10) years of post-educational professional experience in fish health, microbiology, aquatic animal health, or a closely related field.
• Experience supervising field staff, including oversight of deployed or remote teams.
• Experience supervising or managing microbiology laboratory operations. 

Competencies & Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of methods of biological data collection, interpretation, and presentation.
• Ability to work independently, proactively solve problems, and make critical decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated leadership, team-building, and supervisory skills.

Please note: 

• A Masters degree in a relevant field of study may substitute for two (2) years of the required professional experience.
• A Ph.D. in a relevant field of study may substitute for five (5) years of the required professional experience.
• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.  

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:

Advanced scientific knowledge, skills, and abilities in an applicable field in fish biology or natural sciences (e.g., microbiology, pathology, fish health).

Experience: 

• Making sound decisions on behalf of the agency leadership, and clear understanding of the agency’s decision-making process for the management of fish and wildlife trust resources.
• Making decisions and providing oversight and compliance of commercial finfish aquaculture, with the relevant expertise needed to issue finfish transfer permits for commercial aquaculture.
• Developing scientific guidance to inform policy positions on key, fish health, microbiology, disease, and pathogen issues. 
• Coordinating, collaborating, and leading discussions with tribal, regional, national, and international colleagues on microbiology and fish health. 
• Assessing the efficacy of evaluation and diagnostic tools for microbiology and fish health.
• Developing and directing the management of multiple federal, local, and state contracts.

Demonstrated understanding and working knowledge of: 

• State, federal, local, and other types of budget development, administration, and management principles.
• Data and database management.  
• Hatchery production planning process and Washington State fisheries and hatchery operations.

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.

Contact Information

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements submitted to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/5296581/fish-health-unit-manager-wms-band-2-permanent-2026-02840
• 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.