Fish Hatchery Technician - Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery - Non-Permanent - 2026-09140

State of Washington; Centralia (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington is seeking a Fish Hatchery Technician at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery in Salkum, WA. The role involves feeding juvenile salmon, inspecting and moving fish through incubation and raceways, and assisting with spawning operations.

Work is outside in all weather with physical tasks, including lifting up to 44 pounds. Schedule is full-time with possible evenings/weekends; location is the hatchery grounds in Lewis County.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Valid Driver’s License is required.
• Preferred: professional or volunteer hatchery experience.

Responsibilities

• Weigh and distribute feed to juvenile salmonids.
• Move eggs in incubation room and transfer fry to raceways.
• Collect mortality and record data.
• Assist with weight samples, CVs, mass marking, and stocking of juveniles.
• Clean juvenile raceways and troughs with vacuum systems.
• Pressure wash ponds and clean water intakes and egg trays.
• Assist with adult spawning and disposition of spawned carcasses.
• Support Mayfield Net Pen projects, including feeding and cleaning nets.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Weed eater

Pressure washer

Forklift

Computer

CWT equipment

Job description

Classification- Fish Hatchery Technician

Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment Length- 5 Months– December 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division

Duty Station- Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery – Salkum, Washington – Lewis County

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 Technician will,

• Weigh and physically distribute feed 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: Full-time, 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: Drive an agency vehicle around the hatchery grounds and to other locations to accomplish business needs.

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

Customer Interactions: May interact with members of the public and volunteers.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED.

Certifications/Licenses: Valid Driver’s License.

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

• Professional or volunteer experience in a hatchery setting.

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 [e-mail].
• 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 [phone] or email [e-mail], 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 [phone] or [e-mail].

Other questions

If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [e-mail] and reference job #2026-09140.

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