Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 - Sol Duc Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-07401

State of Washington•Clallam County – Other, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Support salmon and steelhead conservation efforts while providing sustainable recreational, tribal, and commercial opportunities in the state of Washington. As part of the Sol Duc Hatchery team, you will perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the hatchery facilities and trap sites. Serve as a leader and role model for staff and volunteers by fostering an environment that ensures fish population goals are met while prioritizing safety, identifying areas for improvement, and creating educational opportunities.

Requirements

Option 1: Six (6) 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 2.
Option 3: An Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology, or closely allied field and two (2) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 4: A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or closely allied field and two (2) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 5: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and two (2) years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Valid Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

A four (4) year degree in Fisheries or closely associated field.

Responsibilities

Perform Fish Culture: Carry out sound fish culture practices to meet program goals. Project and monitor fish growth and feed requirements. Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples, and plants. Lead crew members in feeding, cleaning, and transferring fish, determining the proper rearing densities for ponding and planting fish. Collect genetic samples (opercula punches, dorsal ray samples) for genetic population analysis. Collect various types of biological and environmental samples such as fish tissue, fish scales, ovarian fluid, water and feed for transport to laboratories; sample preparation includes dissection, vacuum filtration, and aseptic technique. Coordinate on-station and off-site fish planting activities. Independently implement on-site biological research projects to collect genetic samples, train lower-level staff in proper procedures in research protocols, as well as provide input into design changes driven by findings at the facility.
Crew Leader: Monitor projects/activities to ensure completion in a timely manner. Ensure that the staff is productive and well informed on activities. Serve as a leader and role model for staff, temporary workers, and volunteers. Demonstrate, instruct, and train others in methods on how to complete tasks. Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement. Plan daily and cyclic hatchery work schedules. Act as agency liaison and project manager of the contracted crews during fish marking programs.
Physical Operation and Maintenance of Facility: Ensure that working components of the fish hatchery are kept in good condition such as pumps and motors, vehicles, alarms, generators, and flashlights. Maintain the grounds in appearance and upkeep during seasonal events using lawn mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, pressure washers, forklifts, tractors, generators, and carpentry power tools. Monitor water quality and quality rearing environments. Manage the operation of fish traps and ladders. Order tools and supplies to meet facility needs.
Communications: Keep supervisor and management well informed on production issues that may lead to fish health concerns or program shortfalls. Communicate with outside entities to implement agency-approved projects, as the facility subject matter expert. Communicate with Fish Health Pathologists and Epidemiologists to ensure appropriate fish culture activities. Perform outreach and education duties through community presentations and the preparation of materials for educational purposes on the hatchery operations and species information.
Data Collection, Entry, Reporting, and Budgeting: Maintain a facility filing system that is well organized and user-friendly. Ensure that staff are well informed on where and how to collect and record data. Organize and maintain the budget tracking system for all hatchery expenditures.