Fish Hatchery Technician – Kendall Creek Hatchery – Non

Fish Hatchery Technician - Kendall Creek Hatchery - Non-Permanent
- * 04598-25

Classification: Fish Hatchery Technician – Kendall Creek Hatchery
Job Status: Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Appointment Length: 9 months - July 28, 2025 – April 28, 2026
WDFW Program: Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station: Deming, Washington – Whatcom County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This is an opportunity to gain hands‑on experience and foundational knowledge in fisheries management.

Envision yourself at Kendall Creek Hatchery, collaborating with dedicated hatchery staff to support fish culture operations and assist in maintaining hatchery equipment and facilities.

Perform Fish Culture:

• Fish feeding.
• Pond cleaning.
• Collecting, sorting and spawning of adult and juvenile salmon.
• Vacuuming and pressure washing the ponds for cleaning.
• Egg and fish sampling and picking – includes weighing and counting salmon eggs and removing deformities and egg mortalities.

Operation and Maintenance of Equipment:

• Cleaning adult handling area, vehicles and hatchery buildings and bathrooms.
• Weeding and raking hatchery grounds.
• Small equipment repair and maintenance.

Public Contact and Communications:

• Responds to questions from visitors to the facility.
• Conducts organized tours.

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Majority of work will occur outside in all weather conditions such as rain, snow, sun, dark, cold or hot.
• Repetitively lift at least 50 lbs.
• Use of a respirator and other personal protective equipment while working with various chemicals used at facility.
• Egg and fish sampling/picking duties will include long periods of standing, careful attention to detail and protocols often in cold temperatures.
• 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, 40 hours per week or 10 days on 4 days off.

Travel Requirements: Operate state vehicles to travel on hatchery grounds and between hatcheries to assist with peak workloads.

Tools: 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: Public interaction may include responding to questions from visitors to the facility and conducting organized tours.

Required Qualifications:

High School graduation or GED.

Certifications / Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned duties will be dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.

At least one (1) year of paid or volunteer hatchery experience.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

In addition to pay and other 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.

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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-documents

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).

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the…