Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
Duty Station- Humptulips Hatchery – Humptulips, Washington – Grays Harbor County
Housing- Housing is Provided
*Standby- Currently Assigned
In-Training- We are recruiting to hire at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2 level, and we will train a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 up to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.
Salary- Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 Salary Range: $3,581.00 - $4,771.00,
Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 Salary Range: $3,925.00 - $5,271.00

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

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

Join the Puyallup Hatchery team and perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the hatchery!

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) 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,

Perform Fish Culture:

• Feed juvenile salmonids, monitoring fish growth and adjusting feed size/schedules as needed to meet program goals.
• Assist in monitoring and maintaining proper water flow and rearing environments.
• Monitor daily fish activity for signs of stress or disease.
• Calculate and administer drugs as prescribed by the fish health specialist.
• Operate high pressure pumps and perform manual cleaning with brooms, brushes, and vacuums to clean ponds, intakes, tanks, troughs, and egg trays.
• Assist in identifying all targeted and non-targeted species, gender, stock origin, and condition of maturity when trapping and spawning adults.
• Assist in adult surplus events by collecting adults, sorting by sex, scanning for coded wire tags, collecting snouts, transporting and disposing of carcasses for nutrient enhancement and/or for the contracted fish buyer, and accurately filling out fish tickets.
• Assist in spawning fish, collecting genetic and virology samples, incubating and counting eggs, picking egg loss, monitoring Temperature Units (TU’s), chilling and thermal marking eggs, and ponding fry at appropriate TU’s. 
• Assist in mass marking hatchery production by crowding fish, loading marking trailers, monitoring fish response, performing quality checks, and occasionally clipping fins if needed.
• Load planting trucks with proper densities using a fish pump or braille and either transferring or liberating fish. Temper water if needed when planting trout into lakes.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Routinely use hand and power tools, vehicles, tractors, pumps, and small equipment to perform some basic carpentry, painting, and plumbing duties as well as grounds maintenance at the facility (such as mowing, weed eating, trimming trees and bushes, road maintenance, net mending, garbage clean up, and janitorial duties).
• Ensure proper and safe use of all hatchery equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance on small gas engines.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Assist with recording and entering data into Fishbooks for fish/snouts collected, eggs taken, feed fed, pond cleaning schedule, and pond mortalities.
• Collect and process monthly water samples for Ecology National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting.
• Monitor and report monthly diesel fuel usage.
• Assists with Vehicle Mileage Tracking System (VMTS).

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is primarily performed outdoors, about 250 days per year, in all weather conditions. At times, this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50 lbs. (including bags of fish feed, salt blocks, and salt bags). 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, 7:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Hours can vary during peak workloads, workdays may vary.

*Standby: Standby duties are 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. While on standby this position will work ten (10) days and be off four (4) days.

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: Housing is provided for this position.

Tools and Equipment: Use hand and power tools, lawn care equipment, forklifts, vehicles, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, and other typical hatchery equipment.

Customer Interactions: Regularly interact with members of the public, community groups, and volunteers.

Qualifications:

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

Option 2: Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or a closely allied field.

Option 3: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.

Option 4: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Forklift certification, within one (1) year of employment.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Forklift certification, within one (1) year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries or closely associated field.

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.

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 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: 2025-1234 – 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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-05265.

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