Fish Culturist II -Peshastin

Yakama Nation Legends Casino; Peshastin (WA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Natural Resources is seeking a hatchery technician to support daily operations, care for fish, and assist in maintaining facilities in the Peshastin area. You will handle eggs and fry, feed fish, and help with transfers to acclimation sites for releases.

The role requires knowledge of fish propagation, ability to operate hatchery machinery, and strong record-keeping. A high school diploma and a valid license are required; pre-employment drug test is also noted.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of various fish species and disease patterns.
• Ability to operate equipment used in hatchery operations.
• Experience maintaining records of pond losses, weights, and temperatures.

Responsibilities

• Support Hatchery Manager and assist in hatchery production and maintenance tasks.
• Handle eggs, fry, and feeding processes; transfer fry to ponds for release.
• Detect diseases and assist with treatments and sampling for analysis.
• Operate and maintain hatchery machinery such as pumps and grinders; perform building and grounds upkeep.

Skills

Fish hatchery knowledge

Equipment operation

Record keeping

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Forklift

Pumps

Job description

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $15.74-$17.72/Regular/Full-Time

Location: Peshastin

Provide support to the Hatchery Manager and work unit in the operations and maintenance of the fish hatcheries. Perform a variety of duties involved in fish hatchery production, assisting in manual and technical work. Care for fish and facilities as scheduled.

Examples Of Work Performed

Remove eggs from fish, weigh and sort eggs, attend to egg and fry in the incubators and transfer fry from troughs to ponds; prepare food and feed fish; net and mark percentage of fry before trucking to acclimation sites for releases and down-stream migration.

Detect diseases in fish and administer prescribed treatment; dissects dead, spawned out salmon to check for diseased livers and retention of eggs; take samples for disease analysis.

Trap and select adult salmon for use as brood stock.

Operate an eyeing or egg taking station as sub-unit of a regular hatchery.

Maintain fish propagation records such as pond loss, weight and size gains, medications, diets and water temperature.

Clean ponds, troughs, trays, screens and rack; mend nets and traps; mow lawns; repair and paint buildings and equipment; operate various mechanical equipment such as pumps, grinders, power mowers, forklift and light automotive equipment.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge of various species of fish; common fish disease and usual treatment habits of fish care and propagation of fish.

Knowledge of equipment and supplies used in maintenance of building and grounds.

Ability to operate and maintain machinery and equipment used in hatchery operations.

Ability to maintain effective working relationship with employees.

Ability to communicate effectively both oral and in writing.

Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.

Required to pass pre-employment drug test.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Tribal Driving Permit with Defensive Driving Course certificate (to be updated every 2 years).

Preferred Requirements

Two years fish hatchery experience as a fish technician.

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Announcement #

2026-162

Issue Date

08-17-26

Closing Date

09-04-26