Fish Hatchery Technician - Ringold Hatchery - Non-Permanent - Two Openings - 2026-06203

Classification: Fish Hatchery Technician

Number of Vacancies: Two (2)

Job Status: Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment Length: Varied (7 months to 9 months)

WDFW Program: Fish Program – Hatcheries Division

Duty Station: Ringold Hatchery – Mesa, Washington – Franklin County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW
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* Multiple openings with varying appointment lengths. Apply for one (1) or both positions by submitting one (1) application.

One (1) Position: 7 Months – September 16, 2026 – April 15, 2027

One (1) Position: 9 Months – September 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027

Photo Caption:
Fall Chinook Salmon at a Hatchery – Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you passionate about fisheries and eager to contribute to our hatchery operations? Be a part of fish conservation efforts in Washington state while gaining valuable hands‑on experience.

As a Fish Hatchery Technician at the Ringold hatchery facility, you will work alongside experienced hatchery staff to assist with fish culture and daily hatchery operations, including monitoring egg and fish production, enumerating (counting) eggs, helping rear healthy fish, and ensuring the facilities are clean and maintained.

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

• Assist hatchery staff in performing basic fish hatchery duties.
• Sort and spawn adult anadromous species to include salmon and steelhead.
• Assist in hatchery incubation activities such as enumerating fish eggs, shocking, and picking eyed eggs.
• Assist hatchery staff in feeding juvenile salmonids and other species.
• Operate high-pressure pumps and perform manual cleaning with brooms, brushes, and vacuums to clean ponds, intakes, tanks, troughs, and egg trays.
• Assist with grounds maintenance at the facility including mowing, weed eating, trimming trees and bushes, road maintenance, net mending, garbage clean-up, and janitorial duties.

Work Setting, including hazards:
Work is typically performed outside in all weather conditions. Operate vehicles and equipment and frequently lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds (such as bags of fish feed or salt).

Stand for long periods, kneel, bend, squat, sit, crawl, climb, work in confined spaces, and sometimes dusty or very hot environments. Use a respirator and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), may handle chemicals for therapeutic fish treatments and herbicides in accordance with labels under direct supervision.

Safely handle and store flammable fuel oils, compressed gases, lubricants, pesticides, and herbicides. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Typically, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

May be required to travel around hatchery grounds or other hatcheries to accomplish business needs.

ATVs, UTVs, tractors, trailers, skid steers, backhoes, spray equipment, lawn mowers, hatchery vehicles, pumps, chillers, water heaters, generators, and other equipment. May use various power and hand tools for basic electrical, plumbing, welding, and construction.

Frequently interact with anglers, other agency and intra‑agency staff, constituent groups, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public utilities, tribal and other government entities, and vendors.

High School Diploma or GED.

Valid Driver’s License.

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

• Basic fish culture techniques and fish rearing procedures.
• Identifying adult salmonids.
• Servicing, repairing, and operating various forms of equipment (such as ATVs, UTVs, tractors, trailers, skid steers, backhoes, spray equipment, lawn mowers, hatchery vehicles, pumps, chillers, water heaters, generators).
• Electrical, plumbing, welding, and construction.
• Powe…