Fisheries Technician - Hagerman National Fish Hatchery

SPECIAL NOTIFICATION: This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission. This job announcement will remain open until the position has been filled. Applications will be periodically reviewed as they are received. Applicants are encouraged to apply and submit their applications as soon as possible.  

Location: Hagerman National Fish Hatchery – IDFG Hagerman, ID

Application period: 12/1/2025-12/10/2025

Salary: $18.61/hr plus competitive benefits

Employment Dates: January 5th, 2026 – September 4th, 2026 (Flexible start/end date)

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking a Fishery Technician. This position will be located at our Hagerman National Fish Hatchery located in Hagerman, ID. This is a 8-month benefited temporary position and is expected to work up to 40 hours per week. Housing is available for the employee only. No pets. 

Hagerman National Fish Hatchery is located just outside the town of Hagerman, ID and about 30 mins from Twin Falls, right along the scenic Snake River. The hatchery is responsible for rearing 1.56 million steelhead. Steelhead smolts are raised from eyed eggs received from Sawtooth Fish Hatchery in Stanley, ID, and released back into the Salmon River in April. Both hatcheries are funded by the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan. 

Why IDFG? We are a premier natural resource agency dedicated to preserving, protecting, perpetuating, and managing Idaho's fish and wildlife for this great state. We are committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence as we cultivate opportunities for our customers to engage with our natural resources and become resource stewards for future generations. We are highly dedicated to our mission, committed to our team, and we know how to balance work/life commitments while loving the work we do. 

What We Offer: 

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systems
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual that begins as soon as you start
• Eleven paid holidays in a year
• Eight weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Multiple saving plans-optional 401k and 457 plans
• Group Life Insurance/Disability Insurance/Supplemental Life Insurance - state provided basic life insurance coverage and affordable supplemental plans
• Public Sector Student Loan Forgiveness (eligibility requirements may apply)
• Employee Assistance Program - confidential support, information, and resources for all of life's challenges
• State and Department Wellness Programs
• Ongoing training opportunities 

Supplemental Information: 

Incumbents may be required to travel to remote locations for spawning or sampling operations. These positions involve standing and working in cold water for up to eight hours per shift; lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 60 pounds and occasional lifting and carrying up to 100 pounds for short distances; operate four-wheel drive and off-road vehicles; and working in extreme weather conditions. Incumbents working at fish hatcheries work with toxic chemicals and around heavy dust, high voltage, loud noises, and slippery surfaces. Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required.

Responsibilities:

• Assists in monitoring development of eggs and fry
• Implements feeding schedules required for specific growth rates
• Cleans tanks and raceways
• Observes fish behavior for signs of stress or disease
• Implements water and feed treatments and prophylactic measures as directed
• Grades and sorts fish
• Removes and enumerates daily fish mortality
• Tracks hatchery inventory of various species and sizes of fish
• Crowds, loads, transports, and stocks fish
• Maintains records and contributes to reports documenting hatchery activities, water readings, data entry, fish diseases and treatments, and production studies
• Maintains hatchery facilities using power tools and landscaping equipment
• Provide hatchery tours and interact professionally with the public
• Crew leader for the other seasonal staff

Minimum Qualifications: (These qualifications are required)

• Some knowledge of life history, anatomy, and ecology of various fish species.
• Experience: recording, summarizing, and analyzing scientific data; diagnosing and repairing minor mechanical problems.
• Valid driver's license.
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Minimum Qualifications Specialty: (These qualifications are required.)

• Some knowledge of aquaculture and the growing and maintaining of fish.

Additional consideration may be given at the time of the interview to candidates who have this experience. Please be sure to include any experience you have in these areas. 

To learn more about the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, please see the following:

• (Video) Idaho Fish and Game - We Make It Happen

Thank you for applying with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game!

EEO/Veteran’s Preference. If qualified applicants are found, this announcement may close before the listed closing date.