Fish Hatchery Technician – Marblemount Hatchery – Non-Permanent – 2025-07115

Austin Community College; Washington; On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A state fish and wildlife agency is seeking a Fish Hatchery Technician for a full-time position based in Marblemount, Washington. The role includes essential duties in maintaining hatchery operations, monitoring the health of fish species, and ensuring safety protocols. Candidates must hold a high school diploma or GED, and experience in a hatchery setting is preferred. This position offers a working schedule of typically Monday through Friday, with opportunities for overtime as needed.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license.
• Preferred: Associate's degree in fisheries.
• Preferred: Two years' experience in a hatchery setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Feed and monitor fish health and behavior.
• Perform hatchery maintenance and safety training.

Skills

Safety hazard identification

Maintenance of facility and equipment

Fish feeding and monitoring

Data collection and record keeping

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Fish Hatchery Technician - Marblemount Hatchery - Non-Permanent - 2025-07115

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Classification- Fish Hatchery Technician
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 7 Months - November 16, 2025 – June 15, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Marblemount, Washington – Marblemount Hatchery – Skagit County
Housing- No additional housing available.
Standby- Standby is not assigned.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW !

Are you passionate about fisheries and eager to contribute to our hatchery operations? Join our team as a Fish Hatchery Technician and assist with scientific, technical, and maintenance duties at our hatchery facilities and trap sites.

As a Fish Hatchery Technician, you will have the opportunity to perform essential hatchery duties, including the rearing of both anadromous fish (those born in freshwater, spending most of their lives in saltwater, and returning to freshwater to spawn) and non-anadromous species.

WHAT TO EXPECT

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

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment

• Actively identifies safety hazards/concerns and reports to agency personnel.
• Cleans/pressure washes empty fish rearing vessels.
• Perform maintenance duties in and around the hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment
• Maintain road access to residences, hatchery by plowing, grading, and snow blowers.
• Operate tractors, yard maintenance equipment, and common power tools
• Assist in design/fabrication of needed hatchery equipment.
• Service and maintain small gas engines and hatchery related equipment
• Wears and uses employee safety equipment as directed including, inspecting, cleaning, and repairing it.
• Maintain required safety training through agency training platforms (LMS).
• Understands inherent safety concerns such as hantavirus and other health hazards.

Fish Culture

• Feeds fish and weighs up according to the feeding schedule.
• Monitors fish behavior and health.
• Removes egg and fish production mortalities and disinfects the equipment.
• Identifies, sorts, and samples species for spawning and adult distribution
• Cleans ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Collects and records data
• Performs fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
• Actively works to maintain/use facility wide biosecurity and ensures volunteers and members of the public follow biosecurity guidelines.
• Monitors rearing units for signs of predation and ensures rearing areas are secure.
• Understands correct safety protocols for all hazardous chemicals/drugs used for all treatments and chemical storage/handling, i.e., formalin, anesthetics, paint thinner, gas/diesel, potassium, and other chemicals).
• Scan fish for various tags using coded wire tag wands, pit tag detectors, and other tag associated equipment.
• Monitors water quality parameters using dissolved oxygen meters (calibrates when needed) to insure a safe rearing environment.
• Contacts Fish Hatchery Specialist series, chain of command when fish are showing signs of disease or illness.

Working Conditions

Work setting: Outside in all weather conditions. At times this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50 pounds and perform strenuous physical activities. The employee will use a respirator and other PPE while working with various chemicals used at facilities. 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, 40 hours per week. Occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

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

Customer Interactions: General interactions with public.

QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or GED.

License: Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirement/Condition of Employment:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification is dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates degree in fisheries or closely related field
• Two (2) years’ experience in a hatchery setting.
• Basic computer skills, familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Excel software.
• Basic math skills; calculate and understand quantities and proportions.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

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:

• 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: 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 [phone] or [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] [e-mail] .

Other questions:If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [e-mail] and reference job number/title from the top of this posting.