Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Washougal Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-08937

State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Washington

On-site

USD 45,000 - 60,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Housing is provided

Job summary

State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) at the Washougal Hatchery in Skamania County. The role combines fish culture duties with data management and facility maintenance.

Housing is provided, and a Class B CDL is required within six months of hire. Initial placement may be at FHS1 or FHS2, with an in‑training plan to advance to FHS2 after 12 months.

Qualifications

Mentoring and career development pathway from FHS1 to FHS2.
Valid driver’s license required; CDL within six months.
Experience with fish culture duties and record keeping is preferred.

Responsibilities

Compute and feed fish by population and weight samples.
Monitor fish health, egg production and disinfect eggs.
Administer therapeutics as prescribed and collect samples for health checks.
Record data, keep forms and prepare reports for the agency.
Maintain water flow, equipment and facility safety.
Engage with visitors, give tours and communicate with staff.

Skills

Fish culture knowledge

Data entry

Safety awareness

Education

Three years fish culture experience

Associate’s degree in fisheries technology or biology

Three years of coursework toward a Bachelor’s in fisheries/biology

Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school

Valid Driver’s License

Class B CDL within six months of hire

Job description

Classification-Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division

Duty Station- Washougal, Washington – Washougal Hatchery – Skamania 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 (FHS1) or Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (FHS2) classification. Candidates hired as an FHS1 will be required to complete an in‑training plan in order to advance to the FHS2 classification.

Salary- Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:

Fish Hatchery Specialist1 - $3,653.00 - $4,866.00 monthly

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 - $4,004.00 - $5,376.00 monthly

This position requires a Class B Commercial Driver’s License to be obtained within six (6) months of hire.

Photo Caption – Hatchery steelhead broodstock collection – Photo Credit: WDFW

Assist with fish conservation in Washington while gaining valuable hands‑on experience! This is an opportunity to perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties at the Washougal Hatchery. With your experience, you will rear anadromous (fish that spend part of their lives in both fresh and salt water, migrating from the ocean to freshwater rivers to spawn) and inland species of fish.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position:

Fish Culture.

Calculates and feeds fish according to pond populations and weight samples. Adjust feed size and amount fed as needed.
Monitors fish behavior and health.
Monitors egg and fish production and disinfects and enumerates eggs.
Administers therapeutics, calculates and administers drugs as prescribed.
Identifies, sorts, and samples species for spawning and adult distribution.
Cleans ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
Identifies marked adults and collects tags/marks for bio sampling.
Records data and is able to identify multiple marks by sight, UV lights or mechanical devices.
Collects fish tissue and fluid samples for Fish Health Specialists without contaminating samples.
Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
Picks eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments.

Record Keeping and Reporting.

Proficient use of computers and software in order to perform various aspects of hatchery work, including data entry, record keeping, and reporting (both within and outside agency).
Accurately fills out and submits agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms and other relevant forms.
Assist or develops forms or spreadsheets for more efficient record keeping.
Performs 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 & feed conversions.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment.

Maintains proper water flow and rearing environments.
Performs standby which requires responding to alarms and taking appropriate action to preserve facility programs, tests alarms and reports failures to agency personnel.
Monitors and maintains facility support systems i.e. diesel generators, domestic and ozone water treatment plants, alarm panels and other support systems.
Actively identifies safety hazards and takes action or recommends remedies as appropriate.
Perform maintenance duties in and around hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment.

Communications.

Responds to questions from visitors to the facility and conducts organized tours.
Interacts with the public in a polite, professional manner.
Attend school presentations and/or career fairs, sportsmen shows, county fairs and give lectures at schools and local organizations, and supervises participants in fish derbies.
Communicates with inter agency staff or outside entities both verbally and in writing as needed regarding hatchery infrastructure or facility programs, i.e. local Public Utility Districts, co‑managers and others.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Outside in all weather conditions. Typically the employee in this position will be working outside about 250 days a year. This employee will be required to work in all sorts of weather conditions whether it is raining, snowing, sunny, dark, cold or hot. At times this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50lbs. Also will need to use respirator and other PPE while working with various chemicals used at facility. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Perform strenuous physical activities, follow instructions and complete assigned tasks, gather and compile data, use sound judgement and assist in training entry level employees.

Schedule:

Schedule: This position is full‑time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel requirements:

Travel requirements: Travel may be required in order to accomplish agency goals.

Standby:

Standby: This position requires standby with a response time within 30 minutes, which involves overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day when on duty. The standby schedule consists of working 10 consecutive days, including 7 days of standby duty, 3 days of non‑standby duty, followed by 4 days off.

Housing:

Housing: Housing is provided.

Customer Interactions:

Customer Interactions: Communicate effectively with public and volunteers. Will interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis who visit the hatchery to answer questions and give tours.

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.

License: Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirement/Condition 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.

License: Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirement/Condition of Employment: Obtain a Class B CDL within six (6) months of hire (agency provided).

Preferred Qualifications:

Four (4) year degree in fisheries or closely associated field.
A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

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

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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov.
Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – 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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