Fish Hatchery Technician - Elwha Hatchery - 2 Positions - Non-Permanent - *03964-25
Number of Vacancies- Two (2) Positions
Classification- Fish Hatchery Technician
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment/Season Length- 4 Months – July 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Elwha Hatchery – Port Angeles, Washington – Clallam County
The salary listed above does not include the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Are you interested in working at a fish hatchery, but don’t know where to start?
Embrace this role to perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties at hatchery facilities, trap sites, and acclimation ponds within the complex.
This is an opportunity to assist in broodstock collection and spawning at the Elwha Hatchery.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:
Fish Culture.
- Feed fish according to feed sheet and direction from Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 (FHS3) and Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (FHS2).
- Monitor egg and fish production.
- Clean ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
- Assist in inventorying and grading fish populations, marking trailer inventories, weight samples and plants.
- Pick eggs loss by hand or using equipment.
- Collect adult fish by hook and line, netting from the riverbank, and volunteer or non-volunteer fish trap.
- Assist in identifying all targeted and non-targeted species, gender, stock origin and condition of maturity when trapping and spawning adults.
Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment.
- Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments as directed by FHS staff.
- Actively identify safety hazards and reports problems to FHS staff.
- Perform maintenance duties in and around hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment as directed.
- Respond to hatchery alarms, determining and taking appropriate corrective actions.
- Service and maintain small gas engines and hatchery related equipment or structures.
- Wear and use employee safety equipment as directed including, inspecting, cleaning, and repairing employee’s safety equipment, test employee safety equipment.
Record Keeping and Reporting.
- Use of computers and software in order to perform various aspects of hatchery work.
- Record daily feed, mortalities in rearing units, water temperatures and other hatchery related data.
- Report changes in fish behavior and rearing environments to supervisors.
Communications.
- Respond to questions from visitors to the facility and conducts organized tours.
- Interact with the public in a polite, professional manner.
- Communicate closely with supervisors and coworkers regarding hatchery operations and infrastructure.
Other Duties as Assigned.
- Travel to other hatcheries to assist with heavy work loads.
Working Conditions:
Work setting: Outside in all weather conditions. Required to work in all sorts of weather conditions whether it is raining, snowing, sunny, dark, cold, or hot. At times, this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50lbs. Use respirator and other PPE while working with various chemicals used at facility. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Schedule: Typical work schedule is 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, 5 days on and 2 days off, but can vary depending on workload and weather conditions. May occasionally require travel and work more than 40 hours per week to meet seasonal workload demands throughout the complex as needed. Schedule may include days, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Travel requirements: Occasional travel to other nearby hatcheries may be needed to cover heavy workloads.
Customer Interactions: Communicate effectively with public and volunteers. Interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED.
License: Valid driver’s license
Special Requirement/Condition of Employment:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
- Six (6) months of experience working at a fish hatchery.
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date resume.
- At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefitsthat 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 Cheri.Potter@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 emailJayme.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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.govand reference job #2025-03964.