Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Lyons Ferry Hatchery - Permanent - *05046-25
Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)
Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent
Duty Station- Lyons Ferry Hatchery – Starbuck, Washington – Columbia County
Housing- No additional housing available
Standby- Not Currently Assigned
In-Training- We are recruiting to hire at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2 level, and we will train a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 up to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.
Salary-
- Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 Salary Range: $3,581.00 - $4,771.00
- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 Salary Range: $3,925.00 - $5,271.00
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Support salmon, steelhead, and trout conservation efforts while providing sustainable recreational, tribal, and commercial opportunities in the state of Washington.
Join the Lyons Ferry Hatchery team and perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the hatchery!
This is an opportunity to stock lakes with anadromous and inland species of fish.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 will,
Fish Culture:
- Feed fish their calculated daily ration.
- Monitor fish behavior, health, egg, and fish production.
- Administer therapeutants, calculate and administer drugs as prescribed.
- Identify, sort, and sample species for spawning and adult distribution.
- Clean ponds, raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
- Identify marked adults and collect tags/marks for bio sampling and record data.
- Collect fish tissue and fluid samples and record data.
- Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples, and plants.
Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:
- Monitor water flow and quality parameters.
- Collect water samples and perform readings (e.g., dissolved gases, suspended settleable solids, and other parameters).
- Maintain water flow and rearing environments.
- Respond to alarms and take appropriate action.
- Monitor and maintain facility support systems and promptly address safety hazards.
- Drive planting trucks to and from planting sites, some of which may require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
- Organize and maintain hatchery tools, equipment, and grounds.
- Clearly communicate safety concerns and ensure proper use and storage of tools and equipment.
Record Keeping and Reporting:
- Use computers and software for data entry and record keeping (fish mortality, feed sheets, feed inventory, and chemical usage).
- Complete agency forms accurately (e.g., fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms).
- Assist in developing forms.
Public Contact and Communication:
- Respond to visitor questions and conduct organized tours.
- Interact with the public in a professional and polite manner.
- Handle difficult questions and follow up to provide accurate answers.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work setting, including hazards:
- Work is primarily outdoors for approximately 250 days per year, in all weather conditions.
- Requires strenuous physical activity, including frequent, repetitive lifting of at least 50lbs of fish feed.
- Use of respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with various chemicals.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Schedule:
- 40 hours per week, with occasional additional hours needed due to emergencies or seasonal workload demands.
Standby:
- Standby duties are not currently assigned. This position may require standby, which involves overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day when on duty. The standby schedule consists of working 10 consecutive days, including 7 days of standby duty, followed by 4 days off.
- All applicants applying for this position should understand that standby is a requirement for all positions in the Fish Hatchery Specialist series.
- Management may determine it is necessary to assign it in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the agency and as necessary to protect the resources of the agency and if assigned, it will be a requirement of the position.
Housing:
- No additional housing available.
Tools and Equipment:
- Vehicles, small power tools, forklift, backhoe, and other typical hatchery equipment.
Customer interactions:
- Interact with members of the public for tours and answer questions.
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 closely allied field.
Option 2: Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology or closely allied field.
Option 3: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school.
Option 4: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Certifications/Licenses: Valid Driver’s License.
Required Qualifications for the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (Goal Class):
Option 1: One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 AND successful completion of agency supervised training program.
Option 2: An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology or closely allied field AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 3: Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries or closely allied field AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 4: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Please Note: Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery may substitute for the required education.
Certifications/Licenses: Valid Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
- Two (2) or four (4) year degree in fisheries or a closely related field.
- One (1) year of hatchery experience.
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date resume.
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
- At least three professional references with current contact information.
Supplemental Information
In addition to pay and other special 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.
Important Note:
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://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
Union- WAFHP:
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).
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:
- Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov.
-
Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-05046.