Fish Hatchery Technician - Soos Creek Hatchery - Non-Permanent - 2026-07727

State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife; Auburn (WA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site housing for standby duties

Job summary

State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife in Auburn, WA, seeks a Fish Hatchery Technician for the Soos Creek Hatchery. This full-time, non-permanent position involves hands-on fish culture, maintenance, and record keeping in outdoor hatchery settings.

You will feed fish, load and transport, monitor water quality, assist spawning, and ensure safety with chemicals and PPE. A high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license are required, with experience at a hatchery preferred.

Qualifications

• High School graduation or GED.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience working at a fish hatchery (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Feed fish according to pond populations and weight samples.
• Load fish from raceways into Mass Marking and CWT trailers.
• Clean ponds, raceways, screens, troughs and incubator systems.
• Assist with spawning activities and inventorying fish.
• Maintain safety protocols when handling chemicals and PPE.
• Record daily feed, mortalities, water temperatures and related data.

Skills

Strong work ethic

Physical stamina

Safety awareness

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Pumps

Coded wire tag equipment

Job description

Classification- Fish Hatchery Technician

Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent

Appointment Length- 7 months– September 16, 2026 – April 15, 2027

This position is anticipated to begin October 16, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Soos Creek Hatchery – Auburn, Washington – King County

Housing- Not provided. On-site living accommodations (Travel Trailer) including utilities is available for standby duties

*Standby- Currently assigned

New Soos Creek Hatchery – 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 Soos Creek Hatchery.

With your experience, you will rear both anadromous (migratory) and inland species of fish.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Technician will,

Perform Fish Culture:

• Feed fish according to pond populations and weight samples. Adjust feed size and quantities as directed.
• Load fish from raceways into Mass Marking and coded wire tag (CWT) trailers.
• Clean ponds, raceways, screens, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health
• Assist in inventorying and grading fish populations, marking trailer inventories, weight samples, and plants.
• Assist with fish spawning activities.
• Perform quality control checks on clipped fish coming out of Mass Marking trailer.
• Assist with loading fish for transport using a variety of methods, including electric fish pumps, brails, and cranes.
• Follow proper safety protocols for the use, handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and drugs used in hatchery operations, including formalin, peroxide, anesthetics, paint thinner, gas/diesel, potassium, and other chemicals.

Record Keeping and Reporting:

• Record daily feed, mortalities in rearing units, water temperatures, and other hatchery-related data.
• Report changes in fish behavior and rearing environments to supervisors.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments as directed.
• Perform maintenance duties in and around the hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
• Wear and use required employee safety equipment as directed, including inspecting, cleaning, repairing, and testing safety equipment; recording respirator cartridge use; and documenting respirator test results.
• Follow confined space regulations and hazards.
• Maintain required safety training through agency training platforms (LMS).
• Follow procedures related to facility safety hazards.

Communications:

• Communicate closely with supervisors and coworkers regarding hatchery operations and infrastructure.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions approximately 250 days per year.
• Requires strenuous physical activity and repetitive lifting of items weighing at least 50lbs, such as fish feed, bags of salt, and small pumps.
• Use of a respirator and other PPE is required when 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.

Schedule:

Typical, Monday – Wednesday (24/7) schedule every other week. The work hours can vary greatly at different times of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.

*Standby:

Management may determine it is necessary to assign standby in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the agency and as necessary to protect the resources of the agency and if assigned, it may be a requirement of these positions. Standby entails the employee being responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day after the regular 8-hour shift. While on standby this position will work ten (10) days on and be off four (4) days (Thursday-Sunday).

Housing:

Not provided. On-site living accommodations (Travel Trailer) including utilities is available for standby duties.

Travel Requirements:

Travel as needed to meet work demands.

Tools and Equipment:

Power and hand tools, lawn care equipment, egg picking machines, passenger vehicles, coded wire tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine, computers, and software.

Customer Interactions:

Regularly interact with the public and volunteers.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

High School graduation 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:

• Experience working at a fish hatchery.

Include the items below with your application materials:

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

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.

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 #2026-07727.