Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 - Puyallup Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-08807

State of Washington•Pierce County – Puyallup, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Fish Hatchery Specialist 3 supports day-to-day operations at the Puyallup Hatchery and leads a crew producing Chinook and coho salmon for sport, tribal, and commercial fisheries throughout Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. The role helps the hatchery meet production and program goals through fish culture, facility operation and maintenance, crew leadership, and communication with supervisors and agency partners. Housing is provided. The position is based at the Puyallup Hatchery in Puyallup, Washington, and may require short periods of travel for agency work, training, or meetings. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary with the season, work schedule, and weather, and may sometimes include evenings or weekends. The posting describes standby duties but says standby is not currently assigned. When assigned, standby involves facility oversight outside the regular shift, a 15-minute response time, and a rotating schedule. Work is outdoors in all weather and can involve strenuous physical activity, lifting up to 50 pounds without assistance, work in or near water, and exposure to confined spaces, slippery surfaces, loud noise, odors, insects, and knives. The role regularly interacts with co-managers and members of the public and may occasionally communicate with media outlets.

Requirements

Option 1: Six years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 2: One year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 2.
Option 3: An associate degree in fisheries technology, biology, or a closely allied field, plus two years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 4: A bachelor's degree in fisheries, biology, or a closely allied field, plus two years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Option 5: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school, plus two years of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.
Valid driver's license.
Obtain a Class B Commercial Driver's License within six months of hire.
Ability to perform frequent strenuous physical activities, including unassisted daily lifting of up to 50 pounds.
Submit a completed online application, an up-to-date resume, a cover letter, and at least three professional references with current contact information.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of hatchery forms, their application and use, and proper procedures.
Current forklift certification, or ability to obtain certification within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

Plan and coordinate fish transport; load, haul, and plant fish at hatcheries and lakes.
Apply fish culture practices to meet program goals and project and monitor fish growth and feed requirements.
Plan and coordinate rearing densities, transfers between and within facilities, and fish releases to meet short- and long-range program goals.
Evaluate fish size, growth rate, and health to determine appropriate feed requirements.
Work as a crew leader, carry out assignments, ensure safety compliance, and demonstrate, instruct, and train others in procedures and task completion.
Maintain hatchery components in good operating condition, including pumps, motors, vehicles, alarms, generators, and flashlights.
Keep supervisors and management informed of production issues that may affect fish health or cause program shortfalls.
Represent the agency professionally and communicate effectively.
Travel for short periods when needed to accomplish agency goals, complete training, or attend meetings.
Interact regularly with co-managers and the public and occasionally communicate with media outlets.