Fish Hatchery Specialist 2 – Cottonwood Acclimation Pond – Non-Permanent – 2025-08944

Classification- Fish Hatchery Specialist 2
Job Status– Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment/Season Length- 3 Months – February 2, 2026 – April 30, 2026
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station– Anatone, Washington – Cottonwood Acclimation Pond – Asotin County
Housing- No additional housing available.
Standby- Standby is currently assigned.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This is an opportunity to see the work WDFW is doing to plan for the future of fish and wildlife conservation in Washington!

With your experience, you will perform technical and scientific duties at hatchery facilities within a complex, rearing anadromous and inland species of fish.

You are excited to perform a variety of technical and scientific fish culture duties and hatchery related maintenance, primarily at the Cottonwood Acclimation Pond and within the Lyons Ferry Complex.

WHAT TO EXPECT –
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Fish Culture.

• Feeds fish their calculated daily ration.
• Monitors fish behavior and health.
• Operates off site adult collection facility, Identifies, sorts, and samples species for spawning and adult distribution and reports to lead worker and supervisor daily.
• Collects fish tissue and fluid samples and records data.
• Records daily data on facility and complex forms.

Facility and Equipment Operation and Maintenance.

• Maintains proper water flow and rearing environments.
• Responds to alarms, determining and taking appropriate action.
• Monitors and maintains facility support systems.
• Organizes and maintains hatchery tools, equipment, and grounds.
• Communicates safety concerns in a timely and accurate manner (management to staff and staff to management).
• Uses tools and equipment properly and safely.
• Stores tools and equipment properly.

Public Contact and Communications.

• Responds to questions from visitors to the facility.
• Conducts organized tours.
• Interacts with the public in a polite, professional manner.
• Identifies the best way to respond when faced with difficult-to-answer questions or when information is not readily obtainable.
• Follows up to ensure that an answer was obtained.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: This employee will be required to work outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions. At times this position will be required to repetitively lift at least 50lbs. Use respirator and other PPE while working with various chemicals used at facility. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions. 

Standby:  This position may require standby, which involves overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day when on duty. The standby schedule consists of working 10 consecutive days, including 7 days of standby duty, followed by 4 days off.

Travel requirements: travel on and around hatchery grounds and may travel to other hatcheries depending on business needs. This position mainly travels to the acclimation pond weekly.

Customer Interactions: Will talk with lots of fisherman and answer questions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: One year of experience as a Fish Hatchery Specialist 1 and successful completion of agency supervised training program.

Option 2: Associate’s degree in fisheries technology, biology, or closely allied field and one year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 3: Two years of education towards a Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or closely allied field and one year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 4: Successful completion of a fish culture program from a vocational school and one year of experience performing fish culture duties in a hatchery.

Option 5:  Three years of experience performing a variety of fish culture duties in a hatchery.

License:  Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
This position may require standby, which involves overseeing the facility for the remaining 16 hours of the day when on duty. The standby schedule consists of working 10 consecutive days, including 7 days of standby duty, followed by 4 days off.

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

• Two- or four year-degree in Fisheries or closely associated field.

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 (3) 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 Cheri.Potter@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: 2024-1234 – 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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job number/title from the top of this posting.

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