Fish Hatchery Technician - Lewis River Hatchery - Non-Permanent - 2026-06287

Classification
- Fish Hatchery Technician

Job Status
- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment Length- 9 months - September 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027

WDFW Program
- Fish Program - Hatcheries Division

Duty Station
- Woodland, Washington
- Lewis River Hatchery
- Cowlitz County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption
- Hatchery steelhead plant
- Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you interested in gaining hands-on hatchery experience while supporting Washington's fisheries?

This is an opportunity to 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, this position:

Adult fish handling and sorting, spawning, with the assistance of a mechanized adult sorting facility.

• Fish feeding, pond cleaning, picking out and removing sick and/or morbid fish and eggs.
• Assist scanning for fish tags.
• Maintain proper water flow.
• Collecting, identifying, sorting, and spawning of adult salmon.
• The operation of pond vacuum, pressure washer, fire hose, and various brushes for cleaning rearing vessels and incubators.
• Lifting up to 50-pound bags of feed to empty into buckets to feed fish.
• Utilize dip nets, suction hose, and/or egg pickers for removing morbid fish and/or eggs from healthy populations in the incubation and rearing life stages.

Fish and egg sampling.

• Weighing and counting salmon eggs or fish to determine the size. This task requires careful attention to detail and may be performed during times of inclement weather.

Grounds and equipment maintenance and repair.

• Cleaning adult sorting and handling area, intakes and bar racks, adult fish traps and weirs, hatchery buildings, bathrooms, vehicles.
• Operate lawn mower, leaf blower, weed eater, pickup truck, various pumps, and power/hand tools.
• Service hatchery equipment and make minor repairs.

Public contact and communication.

• Responds to/answers questions from visitors or outside entities in a polite professional manner.
• Conducts organized tours.
• Identifies the best way to respond with difficult-to-answer questions or when information is not readily available.

Performs other duties as required.

• Conducts special projects as needed to reach hatchery goals.
• Driving vehicles to deliver and/or pick up supplies, materials, and equipment when needed.

Work setting
- Work in all weather conditions for the majority of the appointment length. At times, this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50 lbs and perform strenuous physical activities. Use a respirator and other PPE while working with various chemicals used s position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule
- Saturday
- Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs. This position will be expected to work on weekends.

Travel requirements
- Travel around hatchery grounds and may travel to and from other hatchery sites to accomplish business needs.

Customer Interactions
- General interaction with public.

High school diploma or GED.

Valid driver's license.

• 6 months of work experience in a hatchery setting.
• Basic fish culture techniques; rearing procedures.
• Basic computer skills, familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Excel software.
• Water dynamics (e.g. flows, flow patterns, availability, temperature, etc.).
• Calibration of specialized instruments (e.g. scales, dissolved oxygen meters).
• Basic math skills; calculate and understand quantities and proportions.
• Safe and proper use and maintenance of tools and equipment.

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…