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Fish Hatchery Technician - Cowlitz Trout Hatchery - Non-Permanent - 2025-05781

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
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Classification- Fish Hatchery Technician
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment/Season Length- 7 Months - September 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Cowlitz Trout Hatchery – Toledo, Washington – Lewis County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

 

Are you passionate about fisheries and eager to support our hatchery operations?

At the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery, you will assist in maintaining hatchery facilities and equipment, as well as participating in fish culture activities.

Join our team and contribute to Washington state’s fish conservation efforts while gaining valuable hands-on experience!


What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Technician will,

Operate and Maintain the Facility and Equipment:

  • Clean and pressure wash empty fish rearing vessels.
  • Perform maintenance duties in and around the hatchery and residences to preserve a clean and safe working environment.
  • Operate forklifts, tractors, yard maintenance equipment, and common power tools.
  • Service and maintain small gas engines and hatchery-related equipment.
  • Wear and use employee safety equipment as directed including inspecting, cleaning, and repairing the equipment.

Perform Fish Culture:

  • Feed fish and weigh up, according to the feeding schedule.
  • Remove eggs and fish production mortalities and disinfect the equipment.
  • Clean ponds and raceways, troughs, and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
  • Perform fish inventories, splits, grading, marking trailer inventories, weight samples, and plants.
  • Monitor rearing units for signs of predation and ensure rearing areas are secure.

 

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work outdoors in all weather conditions. Perform strenuous activities including repetitively lifting or moving at least 50 pounds (such as salt blocks, bags of salt, feed bags, large debris, and hatchery parts). This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Work hours can vary greatly at different times of the year depending on the work schedule and weather conditions.

This position may require standby if deemed by management. Standby entails the employee being responsible for overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day after the regular 8-hour shift. While on standby this position will work ten (10) days, including seven (7) days of standby duty, and be off four (4) days.

Tools and Equipment: Hand and power tools, lawn care equipment, welding equipment, water sampling instruments, passenger vehicles, fish pumps, trash pumps, pressure washers, small gas engine, computers, tractors, forklifts, and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs).

Customer Interactions: General interactions with the public.

 

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

High School diploma or GED.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

 

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

  • Work experience in a hatchery setting.

Knowledge of:

  • Basic fish culture techniques and rearing procedures.
  • Water dynamics (such as flows, flow patterns, availability, and temperature).
  • Specialized instrument calibration (such as scales and dissolved oxygen meters).

Basic skills in:

  • Computer software, including familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Excel.
  • Math, to calculate and understand quantities and proportions.

 

Your application should include the following:

  • A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
  • An up-to-date resume.
  • A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
  • At least three professional references with current contact information.

 

Supplemental Information

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.


Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
 

Union - WAFHP:

These positions are in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Hatchery Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish Hatchery Professionals (WAFHP)..


Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:
 

  • Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov. 
  • Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
    • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
  • Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2025-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
  • Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.


Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
 
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
 
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
 
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
 
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
 
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-05781.

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