Classification- Fish Hatchery Technician
Number of Vacancies- Two (2)
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
- Appointment Length- Varied (7 months to 9 months)
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
Duty Station- Ringold Hatchery – Mesa, Washington – Franklin County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Multiple openings with varying appointment lengths. Apply for one (1) or both positions by submitting one (1) application.
One (1) Position: 7 Months – September 16, 2026 – April 15, 2027
One (1) Position: 9 Months – September 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
Photo Caption: Fall Chinook Salmon at a Hatchery – Photo Credit: WDFW
Are you passionate about fisheries and eager to contribute to our hatchery operations? Be a part of fish conservation efforts in Washington state while gaining valuable hands-on experience.
As a Fish Hatchery Technician at the Ringold hatchery facility, you will work alongside experienced hatchery staff to assist with fish culture and daily hatchery operations, including monitoring egg and fish production, enumerating (counting) eggs, helping rear healthy fish, and ensuring the facilities are clean and maintained.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Hatchery Technicians will,
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Assist hatchery staff in performing basic fish hatchery duties.
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Sort and spawn adult anadromous species to include salmon and steelhead.
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Assist in hatchery incubation activities such as enumerating fish eggs, shocking, and picking eyed eggs.
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Assist hatchery staff in feeding juvenile salmonids and other species.
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Operate high-pressure pumps and perform manual cleaning with brooms, brushes, and vacuums to clean ponds, intakes, tanks, troughs, and egg trays.
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Assist with grounds maintenance at the facility including mowing, weed eating, trimming trees and bushes, road maintenance, net mending, garbage clean-up, and janitorial duties.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards: Work is typically performed outside in all weather conditions. Operate vehicles and equipment and frequently lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds (such as bags of fish feed or salt).
Stand for long periods, kneel, bend, squat, sit, crawl, climb, work in confined spaces, and sometimes dusty or very hot environments. Use a respirator and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), may handle chemicals for therapeutic fish treatments and herbicides in accordance with labels under direct supervision.
Safely handle and store flammable fuel oils, compressed gases, lubricants, pesticides, and herbicides. 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, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 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.
Travel Requirements: May be required to travel around hatchery grounds or other hatcheries to accomplish business needs.
Tools and Equipment: ATVs, UTVs, tractors, trailers, skid steers, backhoes, spray equipment, lawn mowers, hatchery vehicles, pumps, chillers, water heaters, generators, and other equipment. May use various power and hand tools for basic electrical, plumbing, welding, and construction.
Customer Interactions: Frequently interact with anglers, other agency and intra-agency staff, constituent groups, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public utilities, tribal and other government entities, and vendors.
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:
Experience with:
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Basic fish culture techniques and fish rearing procedures.
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Identifying adult salmonids.
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Servicing, repairing, and operating various forms of equipment (such as ATV’s, UTV’s, tractors, trailers, skid steers, backhoes, spray equipment, lawn mowers, hatchery vehicles, pumps, chillers, water heaters, generators).
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Electrical, plumbing, welding, and construction.
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Power and hand tools.
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Water dynamics (such as flows, flow patterns, availability, temperature).
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Basic math (add/subtract/multiply/divide), calculating, and understanding quantities and proportions.
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Computers including basic understanding of spreadsheets and word processing.
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Calibration of specialized instruments (scales, Dissolved Oxygen meters).
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Maintenance of tools and equipment.
Your application must include the following:
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A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
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An up-to-date resume.
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At least three professional references with current contact 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:
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Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at [email protected].
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Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
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Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
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Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2026-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
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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
[email protected], 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
[email protected].
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to
[email protected] and reference job #2026-06203.
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