Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)
Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Whitehorse Hatchery – Arlington, Washington – Snohomish County
Housing- Not Provided
*Standby- Currently Assigned
In-Training- We are recruiting to hire at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2 level, and we will train a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 up to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2. 
Salary- Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 Salary Range: $3,239.00 - $4,299.00, Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 Salary Range: $3,558.00 - $4,740.00

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Support salmon, steelhead, and trout conservation efforts while providing sustainable recreational, tribal, and commercial opportunities in the state of Washington.

Join the Whitehorse Hatchery team and perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the hatchery!

This is an opportunity to rear and stock lakes and rivers with anadromous and inland species of fish.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 will,

Fish Culture:

• Feed fish their calculated daily ration.
• Monitor fish behavior, health, egg, and fish production.
• Administer therapeutants, calculate and administer drugs as prescribed.
• Clean ponds, raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Collect fish tissue and fluid samples, record data, and assist Fish Health Specialists without contaminating samples.
• Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples, and plants.
• Conduct remote trapping, spawning, and transport operations.
• Fertilize eggs according to protocols and HGMP requirements.
• Surplus and distribute adult carcasses to contract buyers based on condition.
• Track temperature units (TUs) and adjust chillers as necessary.
• Calibrate formalin systems and monitor water quality parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen meters).
• Perform fish inoculations and treatments as prescribed.
• Work closely with Fish Health Specialist to diagnose and treat illness.

Record Keeping and Reporting:

• Use computers and software for data entry, record keeping, and reporting.
• Accurately complete agency forms (e.g., fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms).
• Assist in developing forms and spreadsheets for efficient record keeping.
• Perform water quality analysis and discharge monitoring reports (DMR) required by the Department of Ecology to maintain hatchery discharge permits (NPDES).
• Create programs to track fish growth rates and feed conversions.
• Compile and store historic facility records.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Maintain water flow and rearing environments.
• Perform standby which requires responding to alarms and ensuring facility programs are preserved.
• Monitor and maintain facility systems (e.g., diesel generators, water treatment plants, alarm panels).
• Identify and address safety hazards.
• Perform maintenance on hatchery and residential facilities.
• Design and fabricate hatchery equipment and chemical delivery systems.
• Service small engines and hatchery equipment.
• Inspect and maintain safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, eyewash stations).
• Serve on safety committees and complete regular safety reports.
• Understand and comply with confined space regulations.
• Maintain required safety training.

Public Contact and Communication:

• Respond to visitor questions and conduct organized tours.
• Interact with the public in a professional and polite manner.
• Handle difficult questions and follow up to provide accurate answers.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Work is primarily outdoors for approximately 250 days per year, in all weather conditions.
• Requires strenuous physical activity, including frequently lifting bags of fish feed and blocks of salt weighing at least 50 pounds.
• Use of respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with various chemicals.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through the following Wednesday working ten (10) days on, four (4) days off schedule. Work hours may vary at different times of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.

*Standby: Standby duties are currently assigned - 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 and be off four (4) days. While on standby, the employee must be able to respond to the duty station within 30 minutes.

Housing: Housing is not provided for this position.

Tools and Equipment: Power tools, hand tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, non-CDL tank trucks, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments, transport trucks, passenger vehicles, adult fish pumps, adult fish counters, coded wire tag (CWT) identification equipment, trash pumps, pressure washers, diesel generators, small gas engine, computers, software.

Customer interactions: Interact with members of the public and volunteers on a regular basis.

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:

An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field.

OR

Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology or closely allied field.

OR

Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.

OR

Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
A valid Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License may be required, and recertification of this license is required during a five (5) year period.

Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (Goal Class):

One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 AND successful completion of agency supervised training program. 

OR

An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery. 

OR 

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.

OR 

Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Please Note: 
Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery will substitute for the required education. 

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
A valid Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License may be required, and recertification of this license is required during a five (5) year period.

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

• Basic fish culture techniques and rearing procedures.
• Understanding of water dynamics (e.g. flows, flow patterns, availability, temperature, etc.)
• Basic math skills; calculate and understand quantities and proportions.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Excel software.
• Calibration of specialized instruments (e.g. scales, Dissolved Oxygen meters).
• Safe and proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of available resources and guides needed to help complete forms and documents correctly.
• Applicable agency policies and procedures.
• Safety regulations.

Your application should include the following:

• 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.

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.

 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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov. 
• 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 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, 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 (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-00811.

Follow us on social media:
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram