Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Puyallup Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-08833

State of Washington

Puyallup (WA)

On-site

USD 45,000 - 60,000

Full time

47 hours ago

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Job summary

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is recruiting for a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) at the Puyallup Hatchery in Washington. Responsibilities include fish culture, invasive record-keeping, and facility maintenance in a full-time role.

The position offers a clear in-training path from Specialist 1 to Specialist 2, requiring a valid driver's license and experience with hatchery operations. The role supports Rainbow Trout and salmon programs at Puyallup Hatchery.

Qualifications

Three years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery (for Fish Hatchery Specialist 1)
Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology, or closely allied field
Completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school

Responsibilities

Monitor pond populations, feed fish by weight samples, and record data.
Perform fish inventories, grading, and tagging for brood stock.
Maintain hatchery facilities and operate equipment such as pumps, forklifts, and tractors.
Prepare hatchery documents, tickets, and invoices; assist with procurement and record keeping.

Skills

Fisheries hatchery experience

Valid Driver's License

In-training mindset

Education

Associate’s degree in fisheries technology or biology

Two to three years of college towards a fisheries/biology degree

Fish culture program from a vocational school

Job description

Description

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program

Duty Station- Puyallup Hatchery - Puyallup, Washington – Pierce County

Housing- No Additional Housing Available

Standby- 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!

This is an opportunity to expand your fisheries knowledge and gain valuable hands‑on experience in hatchery operations.

Join the WDFW team and perform scientific, technical, and routine maintenance duties throughout Puyallup Hatchery to support the rearing Rainbow Trout and Spring and Coho salmon.

What To Expect:

Fish Culture:

Calculate and feed fish according to pond populations and weight samples.
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.
Record data and can identify multiple marks by sight, UV lights or mechanical devices.
Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
Pick eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments
Collect adult fish by hook and line, seining, and volunteer or non‑volunteer fish trap
Collect adult mortality and fill out correct head tags for brood stock and enter data into hatchery documents and fish books.
Identify all targeted and non‑targeted species, gender, stock origin and condition of maturity when trapping and spawning adults.
Track temperature units (TU’s) and monitors chillers to adjust TU’s, including tracking thermal marks.
Load fish for transport using a variety of methods such as electric fish pump, brail and crane.

Record Keeping And Reporting

Accurately fill out and submit agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms.
Assist or develop forms or spreadsheets for more efficient record keeping.
Maintain purchasing card account, ledger of hatchery expenses, and complete order payment forms for vendor payments.

Operation And Maintenance Of Facility And Equipment

Maintain hatchery housing such as building/maintaining fences, plumbing and minor electrical repairs.
Operate forklifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pumps and common power tools.
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:

Work outside in all weather conditions including but not limited to rain, snow, floods, high wind, cold weather and hot weather. Office work as needed.
This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. May wade in water that is chest deep.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Work hours can vary greatly at different time of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.

Standby: This position may require standby with a 45 min standby response time, the employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. While on standby this position will work 10 days and be off 4.

Housing: No additional housing available.

Travel Requirements: Travel may be required to accomplish agency goals, complete required training, or to attend meetings.

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, computers and software.

Customer Interactions: Communicate effectively with the public, small community groups and volunteers on a regular basis.

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:

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’s degree 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.

Special Requirements/Conditions Of Employment:

Obtain a Class B CDL within six (6) months of hire (agency provided).

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.

Special Requirements/Conditions Of Employment:

Obtain a Class B CDL within six (6) months of hire (agency provided).

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

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

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

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 #2026-08833.

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read About Our Benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full‑time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part‑time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑ratio basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full‑time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro ratio basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01 Are you currently an employee of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife? This includes permanent, non‑permanent, intern, project, and career seasonal.

02 Do you have a valid driver's license?

Yes, I have a current valid driver's license.
No, I do not have a current valid driver's license.

03 Please select the option below that best describes the highest level of education you have completed.

High School Diploma/GED.
Some College.
Vocational Degree or Certificate.
Associate's Degree.
Bachelor's Degree.
Master's Degree.
Ph.D.
None of the above.

04 What is your major area of study? If you possess multiple degrees, please list each degree and major. (If this does not apply to you, please put N/A.) This includes both vocational and college education.

05 Please select the option below that best describes your completed years of education towards a degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely allied field.

I have less than 2 years of education towards a Bachelor's degree in a related field.
I have between 2 – 3 years of education towards a Bachelor's degree, or a completed Associate’s degree, in a related field.
I have 3 or more years of education towards a Bachelor's degree, or a completed Bachelor’s degree, in a related field.
None of the above.

06 Please list the fish culture program(s) from a vocational school that you have successfully completed. (“See Resume” is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).

07 Please select the option below that best describes your experience in Washington State government service as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2. (Note: This refers to positions officially classified under the Washington State Human Resources job classification system.)

No experience
Less than 1 year of experience
1 year or more of experience

08 Please select the option below that best describes your professional experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

No experience
Less than 1 year of experience
Between 1 – 3 years of experience
Between 3 – 4 years of experience
4 years or more of experience

09 Please briefly describe your professional experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery. (“See Resume” is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).

10 Do you currently hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)? If yes, please list the CDL class and any endorsements you hold. (“See Resume” is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).

11 How did you hear about this job posting? (Select all that apply).