Job Description

Posting number: 2026-06143

Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Job classification: FISH HATCHERY SPECIALIST 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources, Research, Sciences, Green-Collar/Environmental, Wildlife

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Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program

Duty Station- Ariel, Washington – Speelyai Hatchery - Cowlitz County

Housing- Not Provided

Standby- NotCurrently Assigned

In-Training- We are recruiting to fill this position at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2 classification. Candidates hired as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 will be required to complete an in-training plan in order to advance to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 classification.

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

Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 - $3,653.00 - $4,866.00 monthly

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 - $4,004.00 - $5,376.00 monthly

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Feeding Fry – Photo Credit: WDFW

This is an opportunity to build your knowledge and gain hands-on experience in hatchery operations.

Join the team and perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the Speelyai Hatchery, rearing anadromous and non-anadromous species of fish.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 will,

Fish Culture:

• Calculate and feed fish according to pond populations and weight samples. Adjust feed size and amount fed as needed.
• Monitor fish behavior and health.
• Monitor egg and fish production and disinfect and enumerate eggs.
• Identify, sort, and sample species for spawning and adult distribution.
• Clean ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Identify marked adults and collect tags/marks for biological sampling.
• Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
• Pick eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubate for facility programs or shipments.
• Conduct remote trapping and spawning operations, including transport of equipment and gametes.
• Load truck according to safe hauling densities, utilizes proper oxygen levels and monitors fish during transport.
• Scan fish for various tags using coded wire tag (CWT) wands, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detectors, and other tag associated equipment.

Record Keeping and Reporting:

• Perform various aspects of hatchery work, including data entry, record keeping and reporting both within and outside the agency.
• Accurately fill out and submit agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms and other relevant forms.
• Maintain purchasing card account, ledger of hatchery expenses, and complete order payment forms for vendor payments.
• Compile, catalogue, and store historic records at facility.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Perform maintenance duties in and around hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
• Apply herbicides or controlled burning for weed control.
• Maintain road access to residences, hatchery by plowing, grading, and snow blowers.
• Design/fabricate needed hatchery equipment such as fish racks, weirs, intakes screens, fish transfer equipment and adult fish gates using metal, aluminum, plastic, and wood.
• Service and maintain small gas engines and hatchery related equipment.

Working Conditions:

Work setting, including hazards:

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. The work hours can vary greatly at different times of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.

Housing: Housing not provided.

Standby: Not currently assigned. Standby involves overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. While on standby this position will work 10 days and be off 4.

Travel Requirements: Travel may be required to accomplish agency goals.

Tools and Equipment: Power and hand tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, transport trucks, passenger vehicles, adult fish pumps, adult fish counters, coded wire tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine and computers and software.

Customer Interactions: Interact with the public, volunteers and smally community groups regularly.

Qualifications:

This Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited hatchery and fish culture experience.

Candidates will be hired as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2, dependent on skills and experience.

Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month in-training plan, the selected candidate will automatically be promoted to a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.

Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1:

Option 1: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 2: An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely allied field.

Option 3: Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’sdegree in fisheries, biology, or a closely allied field.

Option 4: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (Goal Class):

Option 1: Four (4) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 2: One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program.

Option 3: Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 4: 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.

Option 5: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

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:

Four-year degree in fisheries or closely associated field.

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 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).

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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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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.

This is a rectangle-shaped logo with dark blue border around a Rainbow Pride LGTBQ Flag, and centered on top of the flag is small colorful oval shaped WDFW Logo with carton images of pine trees, a river, a fish, crab and deer. At the bottom of the rectangle, it reads: EVERYONE BELONGS OUTDOORS in white, all capital letters.

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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-06143

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