Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Speelyai Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-06143

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time
- Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program

Duty Station- Ariel, Washington – Speelyai Hatchery
- Cowlitz County

Housing- Not Provided

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

This is an opportunity to build your knowledge and gain hands-on experience in hatchery operations.

Join the team and perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the Speelyai Hatchery, rearing anadromous and non-anadromous species of fish.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role,

the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 will,

• Calculate and feed fish according to pond populations and weight samples. Adjust feed size and amount fed as needed.
• Monitor fish behavior and health.
• 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.
• Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
• Pick eggs loss by hand or using equipment and incubate for facility programs or shipments.
• Conduct remote trapping and spawning operations, including transport of equipment and gametes.
• Load truck according to safe hauling densities, utilizes proper oxygen levels and monitors fish during transport.
• Scan fish for various tags using coded wire tag (CWT) wands, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detectors, and other tag associated equipment.

• Perform various aspects of hatchery work, including data entry, record keeping and reporting both within and outside the agency.
• Accurately fill out and submit agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms and other relevant forms.
• Maintain purchasing card account, ledger of hatchery expenses, and complete order payment forms for vendor payments.
• Compile, catalogue, and store historic records at facility.

• Perform maintenance duties in and around hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
• Apply herbicides or controlled burning for weed control.
• Maintain road access to residences, hatchery by plowing, grading, and snow blowers.
• 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 outside (~250 days a year) in inclement weather conditions including rain, snow, low – high temperatures.
• At times this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50lbs.
• Use respirator and other personal protective equipment (PPE) while working with various chemicals used at facility.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. The work hours can vary greatly at different times of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.

Housing: Housing not provided.

Standby: Not currently assigned. Standby involves overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day. While on standby this position will work 10 days and be off 4.

Travel Requirements: Travel may be required to accomplish agency goals.

Tools and Equipment:Power and hand tools, lawn care equipment, tractors, forklifts, welding equipment, egg picking machines, water sampling instruments,…