Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Priest Rapids Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-06231

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

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 Priest Rapids Hatchery, rearing anadromous and non-anadromous species of fish.

What to Expect:

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, adjusting feed size and amount fed as needed.
• Monitor fish behavior, health, and production.
• Administer therapeutics and calculate/administer drugs as prescribed.
• Clean ponds, raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Pick egg loss by hand or using equipment, fertilize eggs according to pre-determined ratios, and incubate eggs using a variety of vessels.
• Identify marked adults and collect tags/marks for biological sampling.
• Load fish into trucks for transport according to safe hauling densities, utilizing proper oxygen levels and monitoring fish during transport.

Record Keeping and Reporting:

• Use computers and software for data entry, record keeping, and reporting within and outside of the agency.
• Fill out and submit agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms, and other relevant forms.
• Perform water quality analysis and discharge monitoring reports (DMR) as required by the Department of Ecology to maintain hatchery discharge permits (NPDES).
• Create programs to calculate desired growth rates through yearly rearing cycle (Projection sheets) that monitor fish sizes using samples and feed conversions.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments.
• Perform standby which requires responding to alarms and taking appropriate action to preserve facility programs, tests alarms and reports failures to agency personnel.
• Monitor and maintain facility support systems, including alarm panels and other critical infrastructure.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on hatchery facilities and housing, including fencing, plumbing, and basic electrical work.
• Maintain access to hatchery facilities and residences by plowing and clearing roads.
• Operate forklifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pumps, and a variety of common power tools.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions on wet, slippery, uneven, and rugged terrain, often in and around bodies of water. Frequent walking, climbing, and lifting or carrying up to 50-pound bags of fish feed or salt. 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. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary greatly at different times of the year, depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.

Housing:

No additional housing is provided for this position.

Travel Requirements:

Travel may be required in order to accomplish agency goals.

Tools and Equipment:

Power tools, 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, and computers.

Customer Interactions:

Interact professionally with members of the public, volunteers, and other agency staff on a regular basis.

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:
An Associate's degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely related field.

Option 2:
Three…