Classification- Fish Hatchery Technician (FHT) 
Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent 
Number of Vacancies- Two (2) 
Appointment Lengths- Multiple Appointment Lengths – apply for one or both positions by submitting one application.

• 4 months – March 17, 2025 – July 17, 2025
• 3 months – April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division 
Duty Station- Priest Rapids Hatchery – Mattawa, Washington – Grant County

Learn more about being a member of Team 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 Priest Rapids 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,

Fish Culture:

• Feed fish based on pond populations and weight samples, adjusting feed size and amount as directed.
• Assist in identifying, sorting, and sampling species for spawning and adult distribution.
• Clean ponds, raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Vacuum ponds and raceways for fish health maintenance.
• Identify marked adults and collect tags/marks for bio sampling.
• Assist in inventorying and grading fish populations, marking trailer inventories, weight samples, and plants.
• Manually pick eggs or use equipment, then incubate for facility programs or shipments.
• Assist in identifying targeted and non-targeted species, gender, stock origin, and maturity condition when trapping and spawning adults.
• Fertilize eggs with sperm according to pre-determined ratios using established spawning protocols and HGMP requirements.
• Monitor rearing units for signs of predation and secure rearing areas.
• Assist in scanning fish for various tags using Coded Wire Tag (CWT) wands, Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tag detectors, and other equipment

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments as directed.
• Identify safety hazards and take action or recommend remedies as appropriate.
• Perform maintenance tasks in and around the hatchery and residences to maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Maintain required safety training through agency platforms (LMS).

Record Keeping and Reporting:

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

Communications:

• Respond to questions from visitors and conduct organized tours.
• Interact with the public in a polite and professional manner.
• 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 at least 50lbs of fish feed.
• Use of a respirator and other PPE is required when working with various chemicals used at facility.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule:  
Typically, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30pm. Some employees follow a 10-days-on, 4-days-off schedule, adjusted based on workload.

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:  
Work closely with diverse groups, including complex staff, constituent groups, anglers, other agencies, and intra-agency staff. Key collaborators include area and district biologists, fish health staff, the USFWS, public utilities, tribal entities, as well as federal, state, and county agencies and vendors.

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:

Six (6) months of experience working at a fish hatchery.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• 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 #2025-00681.

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