Fish Hatchery Technician - Washougal Hatchery - Non-Permanent

Egg picking Photo Credit: Bruce Sillers

Assist with fish conservation in Washington while gaining valuable handson experience!

This is an opportunity to perform scientific technical and related maintenance duties at the Washougal Hatchery.

With your experience you will rear anadromous (fish that spend part of their lives in both fresh and salt water migrating from the ocean to freshwater rivers to spawn) and inland species of fish.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role the Fish Hatchery Technician will

Fish Culture:

• Feed fish based on pond populations and weight samples adjusting feed size and amount as directed.
• Monitor egg and fish production and disinfect and count eggs.
• Assist in identifying sorting and sampling species for spawning and adult distribution.
• Clean ponds raceways troughs and incubator systems to maintain fish health.
• Assist in inventorying and grading fish populations marking trailer inventories weight samples and plants.
• Manually pick eggs or use equipment then incubate for facility programs or shipments.
• Assist in identifying targeted and nontargeted species gender stock origin and maturity condition when trapping and spawning adults.
• Fertilize eggs with sperm according to predetermined ratios using established spawning protocols and Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) requirements.
• Assist in receiving eggs and samples and distribute them into rearing vessels at correct loadings as well as ponds fry according to proper temperature units (TUs).
• Count eggs using a variety of vessels including shallow troughs isolation buckets upwelling incubators and vertical trays.
• Assist in loading fish for transport using a variety of methods such as electric fish pump brail and crane.

• Monitor rearing units for signs of predation and secure rearing areas.

• Understand correct safety protocols for all hazardous chemicals/ used for all treatments and chemical storage/handling i.e. formalin peroxide anesthetics paint thinner gas/diesel potassium and other chemicals).
• Assist in scanning fish for various tags using Coded Wire Tag (CWT) wands Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tag detectors and other equipment.

Operation and Maintenance of Facility and Equipment:

• Maintain proper water flow and rearing environments as directed.
• Understand confined space regulations and hazards.
• Maintain required safety training through agency platforms (LMS).
• Understand facility safety hazards.

Record Keeping and Reporting:

• Record daily feed amounts mortalities in rearing units water temperatures and other hatcheryrelated data.
• Report changes in fish behavior and rearing environments to supervisors.

Communications:

Work Setting including hazards:

• Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions approximately 250 days per year.
• Perform strenuous physical activities including lifting bags of feed daily that weigh 44lbs and occasional lifting blocks of salt weighing 50lbs.
• Use of a respirator and other PPE is required when 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:

Wednesday through Sunday 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. schedule will vary based on workload needs.

Travel Requirements:

Travel as needed to meet work demands.

Tools and Equipment:

Power and hand tools lawn care equipment egg picking machines passenger vehicles coded wire tag (CWT) identification equipment trash pumps pressure washers diesel generators small gas engine computers and software.

Customer Interactions:

Communicate effectively with public and volunteers. Employee will interact with small community groups and individual constituents on a regular basis.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid drivers license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction position need and training availability.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Experience working in a natural resource related field in an outdoor setting.
• Associates degree or higher in a natural resource related field.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An uptodate 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.