Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Cowlitz Trout Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-06502

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 Cowlitz Hatchery, rearing anadromous and non-anadromous species of fish.

What to Expect

• 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.
• 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.

Record Keeping and Recording

• Perform various aspects of hatchery work, including data entry, record keeping and reporting both within and outside the agency.
• Monitor Ozone plant production, daily checklists, production testing, and communication to Tacoma Power Management.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment

• Monitor and maintain facility support systems such as diesel generators, domestic and ozone water treatment plants, alarm panels and other support systems.
• Perform maintenance duties in and around hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
• Service and maintain small gas engines and hatchery related equipment.

Working Conditions

Work setting, including hazards:

• Work is performed almost entirely outdoors and in inclement weather conditions.
• Hazards may include navigating obstacles to avoid injury, as well as potential injuries associated with the operation of heavy equipment and the use of hand and power tools.
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals used for fish health.
• 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: No additional housing available.

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, 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 and software.

Customer Interactions: Interact with the public, volunteers and small community groups regularly.

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:
  Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.
• Option 2:
  An Associate's degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely allied field.
• Option 3:
  Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor's degree in fisheries, biology, or a closely allied field.
• Option 4:
  Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver's License.

Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery…