Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Voights Creek Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-09036

State of Washington

Orting (WA)

On-site

USD 45,000 - 60,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Job summary

State of Washington is seeking a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) at Voights Creek Hatchery in Orting, WA. This in-training role foresees progression from Specialist 1 or 2 after a 12-month plan, with duties spanning fish culture, data recording, and facility maintenance.

The position includes housing provision and a demanding schedule in remote outdoor settings, with standby rotations and a focus on Chinook and Coho conservation efforts.

Qualifications

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) requires mentoring and development opportunities.
Candidates are hired as Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2 depending on experience.
Upon successful completion of a 12 month in-training plan, promotion to Specialist 2 is automatic.

Responsibilities

Perform Fish Culture: feed, monitor health, administer therapeutics, and maintain ponds and incubator systems.
Record Keeping and Reporting: data entry, hatchery forms, water quality analysis, and expense ledgers.
Operation and Maintenance: maintain water flow, safety, equipment, and fabrication of hatchery parts.
Work in outdoor environments, often in water, with lifting up to 50 pounds.

Education

Associate’s degree in fisheries technology or closely allied field

Three years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or closely allied field

Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school

Job description

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status – Full-Time/Permanent
BDFW Program – Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station – Voights Creek Hatchery – Orting, Washington – Pierce County

Housing – Housing is provided

Standby – Standby is 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

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!

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.
Identify all targeted and non-targeted species, gender, stock origin, and condition of maturity when trapping and spawning adults.
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 typically performed outdoors in all weather conditions, including wading in chest-deep water. Perform strenuous physical activities such as repetitively lifting fish feed bags, salt blocks, and hatchery equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. 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. to 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 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, with a response time of 15 minutes. The standby schedule consists of working ten (10) consecutive days, including seven (7) days of standby duty, followed by four (4) days off.

Housing

Housing is provided for this position.

Travel Requirements

May be required to drive around hatchery grounds, between hatchery facilities, or to other sites 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 engine-powered equipment, 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 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 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

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

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for.

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: 2026-1234 – 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.

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