Classification- Fish Hatchery Technician
Number of Vacancies- Two (2) Openings
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 5 Months – December 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery – Salkum, Washington – Lewis County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about fisheries and eager to contribute to our hatchery operations? Be a part of fish conservation efforts in Washington state while gaining valuable hands-on experience!

Assist with basic technical and scientific duties at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery facility as we rear juvenile salmon, maintain raceways, and handle adult fish during spawning season.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Technicians will,

• Weigh feed and physically distribute to juvenile salmonids.
• Pick eggs in the incubation room and pond fry from incubators to juvenile raceways and troughs.
• Pick mortality from the juvenile and adult raceways.
• Assist with juvenile weight samples and coefficients of variation (CV’s), mass marking, inventory splits of juveniles, and planting smolts.
• Manually clean juvenile raceways and troughs with a vacuum system.
• Pressure wash and clean rearing ponds, brushing juvenile raceway screens and cleaning water intakes, tanks, troughs, and egg trays.
• Handle adult salmon during spawning operations and nutrient enhance spawned adult carcasses to the upper watershed for distribution.
• Assist with tasks involved with the care of the Mayfield Net Pen project including feeding juvenile salmon, cleaning net pens, and transferring fish to and from the Net Pens.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed outside in all weather conditions. Perform strenuous physical activities including repetitively lifting or moving feed bags, salt blocks, and hatchery equipment weighing at least 44 pounds. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties.

Schedule: Typically, Saturday through the following Friday, work a 10-days-on, 4-days-off rotation schedule with the crew.

Tools and Equipment: Hand and power tools, weed eater, pressure washer, passenger vehicle and forklift, computer, and coded wire tag (CWT) identification equipment.

Travel: Driving an agency vehicle around the hatchery grounds and to other hatchery locations according to business needs is required.

Customer Interactions: Some interaction with the public and volunteers.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification is dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

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

• Associate’s degree in fisheries or closely related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in a hatchery setting.
• Basic fish culture techniques; rearing procedures.
• Basic computer skills, including experience in Microsoft Office Suite (such as Word, Outlook, Excel).
• Basic math skills, including basic calculations, quantities, and proportions.

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 #2025-06903.

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