Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training) - Speelyai Hatchery - Permanent - 2026-06143

Posting number: 2026-06143

Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Job classification: FISH HATCHERY SPECIALIST 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources, Research, Sciences, Green-Collar/Environmental, Wildlife

Summary

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Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program 

Duty Station- Ariel, Washington – Speelyai Hatchery - Cowlitz County

Housing- Not Provided 

Standby- 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!

Photo Caption: Feeding Fry – Photo Credit: WDFW 

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 Speelyai Hatchery, rearing anadromous and non-anadromous species of fish.  

What to Expect-

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

Fish Culture: 

• 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. 
• Identify, sort, and sample species for spawning and adult distribution.
• 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.
• Scan fish for various tags using coded wire tag (CWT) wands, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detectors, and other tag associated equipment.

Record Keeping and Reporting: 

• Perform various aspects of hatchery work, including data entry, record keeping and reporting both within and outside the agency.
• Accurately fill out and submit agency forms such as fish transfer tickets, hatchery invoice forms and other relevant forms.
• Maintain purchasing card account, ledger of hatchery expenses, and complete order payment forms for vendor payments.
• Compile, catalogue, and store historic records at facility.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Perform maintenance duties in and around hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
• Apply herbicides or controlled burning for weed control. 
• Maintain road access to residences, hatchery by plowing, grading, and snow blowers.
• Design/fabricate needed hatchery equipment such as fish racks, weirs, intakes screens, fish transfer equipment and adult fish gates using metal, aluminum, plastic, and wood.
• Service and maintain small gas engines and hatchery related equipment.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: