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

State of Washington•Lewis County – Other, WA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

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. We are recruiting to fill this position at the Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 or 2 classification. Candidates hired as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 will be required to complete an in-training plan in order to advance to the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 classification. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month in-training plan, the selected candidate will automatically be promoted to a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.

Requirements

Valid Driver’s License.
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.
Option 1: Four (4) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 2: One (1) year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program.
Option 3: Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology or closely allied field and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 4: Two (2) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology or closely allied field and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 5: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Valid Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Class A or Class B Commercial Driver’s License.
Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License.

Responsibilities

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