Classification – Fish Hatchery Technician 

Openings – Nine (9) 

Job Status – Non-Permanent 
WDFW Program – Fish Program – Hatcheries Division 

Posting Timeline – This recruitment will be posted until August 26, 2024 – the first review of applications will take place on August 13, 2024.  Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible. This recruitment may be closed at any time.

Additional Information: Multiple locations in Washington and a variety of anticipated appointment lengths – apply for one (1) or all the positions by submitting one (1) application!  Supplemental questions are provided for you to indicate your preference regarding locations and appointment lengths.

Hatchery, Location, # of Positions & Anticipated Appointment Lengths –  

Cowlitz Trout Hatchery – Toledo, Washington – Lewis County – One (1) Position – Seven (7) Months – October 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025

Lewis River Hatchery – Woodland, Washington – Cowlitz County – One (1) Position – Nine (9) Months – September 16, 2024 – June 15, 2025

McKernan Hatchery – Shelton, Washington – Mason County – One (1) Position – Five and a Half (5.5) Months – October 16, 2024 – March 31, 2025

Naselle Hatchery – Naselle, Washington – Pacific County – One (1) Position – Nine (9) Months – September 16, 2024 – June 15, 2025

North Toutle Hatchery – Toutle, Washington – Cowlitz County – One (1) Position – Two and a Half (2.5) Months – September 2, 2024 – November 15, 2024

North Toutle Hatchery – Toutle, Washington – Cowlitz County – One (1) Position – Nine (9) Months – September 16, 2024 – June 13, 2025

Priest Rapids Hatchery – Mattawa, Washington – Grant County – Two (2) Positions – Three (3) Months – September 16, 2024 – December 13, 2024

Ringold Springs Hatchery – Mesa, Washington – Franklin County – One (1) Position – Seven (7) Months – September 16, 2024 – April 15, 2025

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Hatchery Specialists Placing Coho Salmon Eggs into Incubation Trays – Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you passionate about fisheries and eager to contribute to our hatchery operations?  Join our team as a Fish Hatchery Technician and assist with scientific, technical, and maintenance duties at our hatchery facilities and trap sites. 

As a Fish Hatchery Technician, you will have the opportunity to perform essential hatchery duties, including the rearing of both anadromous fish (those born in freshwater, spending most of their lives in saltwater, and returning to freshwater to spawn) and non-anadromous species. 

What to Expect-

Positions filled through this recruitment may vary in the duties that are required. 

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Technicians will, 

Perform Fish Culture: 

• Monitors eggs and fish production and disinfects and enumerates eggs.
• Assist in identifying, sorting, and sampling species for spawning and adult distribution.
• Works in the incubation room sorting and cleaning of eggs by hand or with equipment.
• Assists with spawning and placing in incubation units to meet program goals.
• Loading fry from incubation room to the rearing vessel.
• Assist in keeping the facility safe and secure.
• Understand correct safety protocols for all hazardous chemicals.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility: 

• Actively identifies safety hazards and acts in resolution.
• Operating high pressure pumps and manual cleaning of rearing containers with brooms and brushes.
• Washes and clean ponds, intakes, tanks, troughs, and egg trays.
• Service and maintain hatchery related equipment and structures.
• Maintain intakes, traps, and weirs for proper operation.

Recordkeeping and reporting: 

• Assist hatchery staff in recording fish collected, eggs taken, feed fed and pond mortalities.
• Fill in hatchery forms with daily activities, i.e., daily loss, temperature, daily adult, and egg totals.
• Report fish behavior and environmental changes to supervisors.

Working Conditions:

Positions filled through this recruitment may vary in the working conditions that are required. Typical working conditions may include:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed outside in all weather conditions typically 250 days a year.  

Work includes performing strenuous physical activities, repetitively lift at least 50 lbs. of fish feed/salt blocks, standing for long periods of time, kneeling, bending, squatting, sitting, crawling on hands and knees, climbing, working in confined spaces, and sometimes dusty or very hot environments.  

Use of respirator, Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while working with various chemicals used at facilities. Safely handle/store flammable fuel oils, compressed gases, lubricants, pesticides, and herbicides.  

Work is performed in and around and over water with waders on.  Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. 

Schedule: Working hours are normally an 8-hour-day, 5 days per week but can vary according to the needs of the program and resource.

Standby: Management may determine it is necessary to assign standby in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the agency and as necessary to protect the resources of the agency and if assigned, it may be a requirement of these positions.  Standby entails the employee being responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day after the regular 8-hour shift. While on standby this position will work ten (10) days on and be off four (4) days. 

Travel Requirements: Travel interstate as needed to meet work demands.

Tools and Equipment: Hand & power tools, lawn care equipment, egg picking machines, passenger vehicles, Tractors, Forklifts, UTV’s, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine, computers, and software.  

Customer Interactions: Communicate effectively with public and volunteers – interact with small community groups and individuals on a regular basis.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED).  

Certifications: 

A valid driver’s license is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Positions filled through this recruitment may vary in the Preferred Qualifications.

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

• Six (6) months of experience working at a fish hatchery.
• Basic fish culture techniques and rearing procedures. 
• Able to identify salmonids.
• Basic math (add/subtract/multiply/divide); calculate and understand quantities and proportions.
• Computer knowledge – basic understanding of spreadsheets, word processing.
• Basic knowledge or general understanding of electrical, plumbing, welding, and construction. 
• Basic knowledge and use of various types of power and hand tools. 

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• 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

Union: 

WAFHP:

These positions are in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Hatchery 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 Hatchery Professionals (WAFHP).

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses of active-duty military personnel 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 kaila.daudt@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 kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-08981.

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