Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Voights Creek Hatchery - Career Seasonal - 2026-06997

Posting number: 2026-06997

Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Job classification: FISH HATCHERY SPECIALIST 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources, Wetlands, Sciences, Building & Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance, Green-Collar/Environmental, Wildlife

Summary

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal

Season Length- 9 Months – September 1 – May 31
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Voights Creek Hatchery – Orting, Washington – Pierce County

Housing- No additional housing is available

*Standby- Standby is not currently assigned

In-Training- 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.

Salary- Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:

Fish Hatchery Specialist 1: $3,653.00 - $4,866.00 monthly

Fish Hatchery Specialist 2: $4,004.00 - $5,376.00 monthly

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

A wooden sign for the WDFW Voights Creek Hatchery in front of a field with sunrise colored clouds in the sky

Photo Caption: Sunrise at Voights Creek Hatchery – Photo Credit: WDFW

Support Chinook and Coho salmon conservation efforts while providing sustainable recreational, tribal, and commercial opportunities in the state of Washington.

Join the Voights Creek Hatchery team and perform scientific, technical, and related maintenance duties within the hatchery facilities and trap sites.

This is an opportunity to rear anadromous (fish born in freshwater who spend most of their lives in saltwater and return to freshwater to spawn) species of fish.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 will,

Perform Fish Culture:

• 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 Hatchery Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) requirements, and incubate eggs using a variety of vessels.
• Load fish into trucks for transport according to safe hauling densities, utilizing proper oxygen levels and monitoring fish during transport.
• Monitor water quality parameters using dissolved oxygen meters, calibrating when needed, and chemicals to ensure a safe rearing environment.

Record Keeping and Reporting:

• Use computers and software to perform various aspects of hatchery work including data entry, record keeping, and reporting within and outside the agency.
• Accurately fill out and submit agency forms such as fish transfer tickets and hatchery invoice 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 purchasing card account, ledger of hatchery expenses, and complete order payment forms for vendor payments.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments.
• Actively identify safety hazards and take action or recommend remedies.
• Perform maintenance duties in and around the ha