Hatchery Laborer (Laborer/Student Worker)

State of Oregon; Port Orford (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 paid holidays

Competitive benefits package

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a Hatchery Laborer (Laborer/Student Worker) for the Elk River Hatchery in Port Orford, Oregon. This temporary position is anticipated to last through January 31, 2027.

You will assist technicians with fish culture duties, including sampling, feeding, and brood stock work, while maintaining hatchery equipment and facilities. Applicants with fish or hatchery experience are preferred, and duties involve handling fish and operating hatchery tools

Qualifications

• Experience with fish or hatcheries.
• Experience with landscaping and grounds maintenance.
• Experience operating electronic or mechanical equipment.
• Maintenance and repair experience.
• Experience interacting with the public.

Responsibilities

• Assist technicians with periodic sampling and feeding fish.
• Move and handle fish to mark, load, transfer, or release.
• Collect adults at ready spawning area and equipment, and have necessary material and supplies on hand.
• Assist technicians with brood stock to determine sex, maturity, ripeness, and health.
• Assist technicians with spawning adults by anesthetizing, taking eggs and sperm.
• Move adults as needed.
• Shock, pick, clean up, treat and inventory eggs.
• Remove egg shells and record mortalities.
• Maintain hatchery water systems by cleaning debris from screens using small hand tools.
• Maintain hatchery rearing and incubation environments by cleaning and assisting technicians in minor repairs.
• Operate special equipment including utility vehicles, lawn tractors, gas and electric power tools, pressure washer, and farm tractor with attachments.
• Use and maintain pond cleaning implements and mortality pickers, crowders, dipnets, egg and fry care tools and devices.
• Set up, maintain, and periodically clean rearing containers.

Skills

Experience with fish/hatcheries

Grounds maintenance

Job description

Initial Posting Date: 09/08/2026 Application Deadline: 09/15/2026 Agency: Department of Fish and Wildlife Salary Range: $3,515 - $4,124 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Hatchery Laborer (Laborer/Student Worker)

Hiring one temporary position with anticipated duration through January 31, 2027 (These are estimated dates. Length of season(s) may be shortened or extended depending on project needs, funding, or factors beyond the project’s control).

Perform fish culture duties to meet production goals and maintain equipment, grounds and buildings.

As a Hatchery Laborer (Laborer/Student Worker) at the Elk River Hatchery in Port Orford, Oregon, you will:

• Assist technicians with periodic sampling and feeding fish
• Move and handle fish to mark, load, transfer, or release
• Collect adults: ready spawning area and equipment, and have necessary material and supplies on hand
• Assist technicians with brood stock to determine sex, maturity, ripeness, and health
• Assist technicians with spawning adults by anesthetizing, taking eggs and sperm
• Move adults as needed
• Shock, pick, clean up, treat and inventory eggs
• Remove egg shells and record mortalities
• Maintain hatchery water systems in cleaning intake by cleaning debris from screens using small hand tools
• Maintain hatchery rearing and incubation environments by cleaning and assisting technicians in minor repairs
• Operate special equipment including utility vehicles, lawn tractors, gas and electric power tools, pressure washer, and farm tractor with attachments.
• Use and maintain pond cleaning implements and mortality pickers, crowders, dipnets, egg and fry care tools and devices
• Set up, maintain, and periodically clean rearing containers.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Clearly describe how you meet the desired attributes in your application materials. We cannot accept additional application materials after the application deadline. These materials determine whether you move forward in the selection process and help establish your starting salary. Be sure your work and education history is accurate, thorough, and fully reflects your skills and experience, even if they do not seem directly related to the position.

What We Are Looking For

Minimum qualifications are not established for this position; however, we are seeking applicants with the following experience or skills. Preference for interviews may be given to candidates with these skills and background:

• Experience with fish or hatcheries
• Experience with landscaping and grounds maintenance
• Experience operating electronic or mechanical equipment
• Maintenance and repair experience
• Experience interacting with the public

Benefits of Joining Our Team

ODFW is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce as we strive to represent and better serve our neighboring communities. Our most important asset is our employees, and each person brings unique, different, and important contributions to the workplace and community we serve. With Oregon’s changing demographics, a workforce that reflects this change will make us stronger and create an opportunity for better decision making. If you enjoy the outdoors, Oregon is the place for you. We have glaciated mountain peaks to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the massive Columbia River Gorge to the north. You can fish 365 days a year, and there is hunting for big game, waterfowl, and game birds. The Oregon coast attracts thousands of people who clam, crab and fish in the ocean for halibut, salmon, and tuna. The outdoor opportunities are endless when it comes to fish and wildlife in Oregon! Oregon is known for their vineyards, breweries, and adventures for the whole family to enjoy.

To learn more about the department, the work we do, and see our beautiful state, view the following video at https://myodfw.com/about

Additional benefits include: 11 paid holidays a year and a competitive benefits package Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Information

The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice Finalists are subject to a criminal history check. Adverse background information may disqualify you from further consideration.

Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW participates in E-Verify.

ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard preference: Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.

Helpful Links & Resources How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Job Opportunities Webpage | Classification and Compensation |Ready to Relocate to Oregon | Carpool Matching Tool: Get There Oregon More information about our agency can be found on our social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and at myodfw.com and http://www.dfw.state.or.us/

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”