Summary

This job involves hands-on work at a fish hatchery, where you'll care for fish by feeding them, checking their health, cleaning their habitats, and tracking their growth and numbers.

You'll also maintain the facility's water systems and keep detailed records of daily activities.

It's a great fit for someone who enjoys outdoor, practical work with animals and has an interest in conservation, even if you're starting with basic experience since training is provided.

Key Requirements

Experience or knowledge in fish culture, including feeding, health monitoring, and spawning activities
Ability to perform physical tasks like cleaning ponds, raceways, and incubator systems
Skills in recordkeeping, data entry, and accurate reporting using forms and spreadsheets
Proficiency in monitoring and maintaining water quality and flow parameters
Capability to administer treatments and collect samples for fish health and research
Willingness to work in an outdoor, hands-on environment at a hatchery in Salkum, Washington
Basic computer skills for entering data and managing inventories

Full Job Description

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division

Duty Station- Salkum, Washington – Cowlitz Hatchery – Lewis County

Housing- Housing is not provided.

Standby- Standby is currently not assigned.

In-Training- We are recruiting to hire at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 (FHS1) or Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (FHS2) level. We will train a new hire at level FHS1 up to the FHS2 level.

Salary-Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:

Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 - $3,239.00 - $4,299.00 monthly

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 - $3,558.00 - $4,740.00 monthly

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Spring Chinook Smolts – Photo Credit: WDFW

This is an opportunity to see the work WDFW is doing to plan for the future of fish and wildlife conservation in Washington!

With your experience, you will perform technical and scientific duties at hatchery facilities within a complex, rearing anadromous and inland species of fish.

You are excited to perform a variety of technical and scientific fish culture duties and hatchery-related maintenance.

WHAT TO EXPECT -

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Fish Culture.

Feeds fish their calculated daily ration.
Monitors fish behavior and health.
Monitors egg and fish production.
Administers therapeutants, calculates and administers drugs as prescribed.
Identifies, sorts, and samples species for spawning and adult distribution.
Cleans ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
Identifies marked adults and collects tags/marks for bio sampling as directed and records data.
Collects fish tissue and fluid samples and records data.
Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.

Recordkeeping and Reporting.

Enters data into forms and spreadsheets; demonstrates proficiency with computerized forms and accuracy in recordkeeping (fish mortality, feed sheets, feed inventory, chemical usage).
Fills out standard report forms. Accurately fills out agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice tickets, etc.
Submits complete and accurate forms as required.
Assists in developing in-house forms.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility.

Monitors water flow and quality parameters; takes water samples and readings, e.g. dissolved gases, suspended settable solids, and other parameters as required.
Maintains proper water flow and rearing environments.
Responds to alarms, determining and taking appropriate action.
Performs standby as assigned.
Monitors and maintains facility support systems.
Actively identifies safety hazards and acts or recommends remedies as appropriate.

Operation and Maintenance of Equipment.

Drives a planting truck to and from planting sites.
Organizes and maintains hatchery tools, equipment, and grounds.
Communicates safety concerns in a timely and accurate manner (management to staff and staff to management).
Uses tools and equipment properly and safely.
Stores tools and equipment properly.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work outdoors in all weather conditions. At times, will be required to repetitively lift at least 50lbs and perform strenuous physical activities.

The employee will use a respirator and other PPE while working with various chemicals used at facilities.

This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The schedule is a 10-day rotating schedule and the days of the week will vary based on the rotation.

The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel requirements: May travel to region meetings, training and fish culture conferences.

Customer Interactions: Communicate effectively with the public and volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: One year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program.

Option 2: Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

(Please note: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.)

Option 3: Two (2) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology or closely allied field and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

(Please note: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.)

Option 4: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

For ALL options above: Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Six (6) months of professional experience working in a hatchery.

Your application must 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 (3) 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

Union - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job number/title from the top of this posting.

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✓ Fresh Listing

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Cowlitz Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-01410

Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

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