Job Description

Posting number: 2026-06997

Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Job classification: FISH HATCHERY SPECIALIST 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources, Wetlands, Sciences, Building & Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance, Green-Collar/Environmental, Wildlife

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal

Season Length- 9 Months–September 1 – May 31
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Voights Creek Hatchery – Orting, Washington – Pierce County

Housing- No additional housing is available

*Standby- Standby is not currently 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!

A wooden sign for the WDFW Voights Creek Hatchery in front of a field with sunrise colored clouds in the sky

Photo Caption: Sunrise at Voights Creek Hatchery – Photo Credit: WDFW

Support Chinook and Coho salmon conservation efforts while providing sustainable recreational, tribal, and commercial opportunities in the state of Washington.

Join the Voights Creek Hatchery team and perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the hatchery facilities and trap sites.

This is an opportunity to rear anadromous (fish born in freshwater who spend most of their lives in saltwater and return to freshwater to spawn) species of fish.

What to Expect-

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

Perform Fish Culture:

• Calculate and feed fish according to pond populations and weight samples, adjusting feed size and amount fed as needed.
• Monitor fish behavior, health, and production.
• Administer therapeutics and calculate/administer drugs as prescribed.
• Clean ponds, raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Pick egg loss by hand or using equipment, fertilize eggs according to pre-determined ratios and Hatchery Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) requirements, and incubate eggs using a variety of vessels.
• Load fish into trucks for transport according to safe hauling densities, utilizing proper oxygen levels and monitoring fish during transport.
• Monitor water quality parameters using dissolved oxygen meters, calibrating when needed, and chemicals to ensure a safe rearing environment.

Record Keeping and Reporting:

• Use computers and software to perform various aspects of hatchery work including data entry, record keeping, and reporting within and outside the agency.
• Accurately fill out and submit agency forms such as fish transfer tickets and hatchery invoice forms.
• Perform water quality analysis and discharge monitoring reports (DMR) as required by the Department of Ecology to maintain hatchery discharge permits (NPDES).
• Create programs to calculate desired growth rates through yearly rearing cycle (Projection sheets) that monitor fish sizes using samples and feed conversions.
• Maintain purchasing card account, ledger of hatchery expenses, and complete order payment forms for vendor payments.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments.
• Actively identify safety hazards and take action or recommend remedies.
• Perform maintenance duties in and around the hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
• Operate forklifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pumps, and common power tools.
• Design/fabricate needed hatchery equipment (such as fish racks, weirs, intake screens, fish transfer equipment, and adult fish gates) using metal, aluminum, plastic, and wood.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions. Perform strenuous physical activities such as repetitively lifting fish feed bags, salt blocks, and hatchery equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Use a respirator and other personal protective equipment (PPE) while working with various chemicals used at the facility. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Work hours may vary greatly at different times of the year, depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.

*Standby: Standby duties are not currently assigned - standby entails the employee being responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day after the regular 8-hour shift. The standby schedule consists of working ten (10) consecutive days, including seven (7) days of standby duty, followed by four (4) days off.

All applicants applying for this position should understand that standby is a requirement for all positions in the Fish Hatchery Specialist series. 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 will be a requirement of the position.

Housing: No additional housing is available.

Travel Requirements: May be required to drive around hatchery grounds or between hatchery facilities to accomplish business needs.

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

Customer Interactions: Regularly interact with small community groups, individual members of the public, and volunteers. Will respond to questions from visitors to the facility and conduct organized tours as needed.

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: An 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 some or all the following:

• Four (4) year degree in fisheries or closely associated field.
• Forklift certification.

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 danielle.gustafson@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: 2026-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Everyone Belongs Outdoors - WDFW Flag.

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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-06997

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