What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Puyallup Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-08833 position at State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife?
Description
Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)
Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Puyallup Hatchery - Puyallup, Washington – Pierce County
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Puyallup Hatchery - Puyallup, Washington – Pierce County
Housing- No Additional Housing Available
Standby- Not Currently Assigned
In-Training- We are recruiting to fill this position at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2 classification. Candidates hired as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 will be required to complete an in-training plan in order to advance to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 classification.
Salary- Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:
Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 - $3,653.00 - $4,866.00 monthly
Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 - $4,004.00 - $5,376.00 monthly
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Rainbow Trout at Puyallup Fish Hatchery – Photo Credit: WDFW
This is an opportunity to expand your fisheries knowledge and gain valuable hands-on experience in hatchery operations.
Join the WDFW team and perform scientific, technical, and routine maintenance duties throughout Puyallup Hatchery to support the rearing Rainbow Trout and Spring and Coho salmon.
What to Expect:
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 will,
Fish Culture:
- Calculate and feed fish according to pond populations and weight samples.
- Monitor egg and fish production and disinfect and enumerate eggs.
- Identify, sort, and sample species for spawning and adult distribution.
- Clean ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health
- Identify marked adults and collect tags/marks for biological sampling.
- Record data and can identify multiple marks by sight, UV lights or mechanical devices.
- Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
- Pick eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubates for facility programs or shipments
- Collect adult fish by hook and line, seining, and volunteer or non-volunteer fish trap
- Collect adult mortality and fill out correct head tags for brood stock and enter data into hatchery documents and fish books.
- Identify all targeted and non-targeted species, gender, stock origin and condition of maturity when trapping and spawning adults.
- Track temperature units (TU’s) and monitors chillers to adjust TU’s, including tracking thermal marks.
- Load fish for transport using a variety of methods such as electric fish pump, brail and crane.
Record Keeping and Reporting:
- Accurately fill out and submit agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms.
- Assist or develop forms or spreadsheets for more efficient record keeping.
- Maintain purchasing card account, ledger of hatchery expenses, and complete order payment forms for vendor payments.
Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:
- Maintain hatchery housing such as building/maintaining fences, plumbing and minor electrical repairs.
- Operate forklifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pumps and common power tools.
- Design/fabricate needed hatchery equipment such as fish racks, weirs, intakes screens, fish transfer equipment and adult fish gates using metal, aluminum, plastic and wood.
- Service and maintain small gas engines and hatchery related equipment.
Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards:
- Work outside in all weather conditions including but not limited to rain, snow, floods, high wind, cold weather and hot weather. Office work as needed.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. May wade in water that is chest deep.
Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Work hours can vary greatly at different time of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.
Standby: This position may require standby with a 45 min standby response time, the employee is responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. While on standby this position will work 10 days and be off 4.
Housing: No additional housing available.
Travel Requirements: Travel may be required to accomplish agency goals, complete required training, or to attend meetings.
Tools and Equipment: Power and hand tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, 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 and software.
Customer Interactions: Communicate effectively with the public, small community groups and volunteers on a regular basis.
Qualifications:
Required 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:
Option 1: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 2: An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely allied field.
Option 3: Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or a closely allied field.
Option 4: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Obtain a Class B CDL within six (6) months of hire (agency provided).
Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (Goal Class):
Option 1: Four (4) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 2: One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program.
Option 3: Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 4: 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.
Option 5: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Obtain a Class B CDL within six (6) months of hire (agency provided).
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:
Four (4) year degree in fisheries or closely associated field.
A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
Your application must 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-08833.
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Benefits:
Health Insurance, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Retirement PlanSalary : $3,653 - $5,376