Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Lewis River Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-06528

State of Washington•Clark County – Other, WA

5d•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 Lewis River Hatchery, rearing anadromous and non-anadromous species of fish. The 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.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license.
Position may require standby with a response time of 10-30 minutes.
Must obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within one (1) year of hire.
Option 1: An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely related field.
Option 2: Three (3) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or a closely related 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.
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, biology, or closely related field AND one (1) year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 3: Two (2) years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or closely related 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.
Three (3) years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery may substitute for the required education.

Nice To Haves

Four (4) year degree in Fisheries or closely associated field.
Salmonid fish culture experience.
Class A or Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with tank endorsement.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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 diesel generators, domestic and ozone water treatment plants, alarm panels, and other support systems.
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, grading, and snow blowers.
Operate forklifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, fish pumps, and a variety of common power tools.
Interact professionally with members of the public, volunteers, and other agency staff on a regular basis who visit the hatchery to answer questions and give tours.