Iron River National Fish Hatchery

09/04/2026

The Iron River National Fish Hatchery is hiring a Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS-0404-07 or GS-0404-08 working in Iron River, WI.

This is a full-time permanent position. It is open to all U.S. Citizens/Nationals.

Application Period Closes: Sunday, September 13, 2026

The salary will vary based on the grade level:
$50,460 - $72,644 per year

Application Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/882816300

At the full performance level (GS-08) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Work individually or as part of a team in all aspects of the daily care and production of fish eggs, fry, fingerling and adult brood stock at a large cold water fish production facility.
• Perform assignments and general maintenance required for the upkeep of a fish hatchery including use of simple hand tools and power equipment (mowers, trimmers, hammers, saws) and other tools for minor repairs on hatchery facilities, equipment, and grounds.
• Operate fish distribution tanker units up to 66,000 pounds GVWR.
• Compile and summarize biological and water quality data for analysis as part of monthly sampling procedures.
• Support outreach activities including providing basic information to the public and partners about the fish hatchery and its programs.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Physical Demands: Physical demands will range depending on the project and use of the position. Most locations will be in locations around running water and requiring regular and recurring physical activity such as prolonged standing, walking over wet and/or rocky surfaces, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and carrying heavy items may occur.

Work Environment: Most locations will be in locations in and around running water where the incumbent could be exposed to extreme weather conditions, insects/wildlife, and/or other environments that would require the incumbent to use protective clothing or gear such as hard hats, masks, gowns, ear plugs, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to mitigate risks.

If you are interested or would like additional information, please feel free to contact the Hatchery Manager, Brandon Keesler, at 715-372-8510 or [email protected].

08/04/2026

The Iron River National Fish Hatchery is hiring a WG-09 Maintenance Mechanic. This position is well suited for a person interested in hands-on maintenance work, with a primary focus on maintenance and repair work of hatchery grounds, exterior structures, buildings, and related fixtures and utilities. It is open to people: already employed within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) employees, and current or former employees of a base management agency.

Application Link: www.usajobs.gov/job/878963300

Salary: $31.40 - $36.64 per hour

Position duties include:
• Performs plumbing work, electrical repairs, operates and repairs a variety of gasoline and diesel powered heavy engineering and construction equipment, applies a variety of electric, gas, or other manual welding processes or methods to carry out standard welding operations, serves as a member of the Safety Team and assists with implementation and compliance with the hatcheries and residences safety and health program, assists in all lake trout distribution activities and takes a lead role in the maintenance and repair of all distribution vehicles, assists in the biological functions of the hatchery on occasion by caring for and rearing hatchery fish and responsible for operating all snow removal equipment during the winter months.

Conditions of Employment:
• Must have a current, or obtain within six months, a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Must possess and maintain a valid State Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
• Must have a current or obtain within 6 Months a Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
• Must have a current or obtain within 6 Months a Merchant Mariner Document (MMD).

If you are interested or would like additional information, please feel free to contact the Hatchery Manager, Brandon Keesler, at 715-372-8510 or [email protected].

07/30/2026

The Iron River National Fish Hatchery is hiring a GS-07/09 Fish Biologist. This position is well suited for a person interested in hands-on hatchery work, with a primary focus on the culture and restoration of lake trout and coaster brook trout. It is open to people: already employed within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) employees, and current or former employees of a base management agency.

Application Link: www.usajobs.gov/job/878458100

Iron River NFH is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Hatchery System and supports fish production and restoration efforts in the Great Lakes region. Position highlights include:
• Direct involvement in hatchery-based fish culture, including spawning, incubation, rearing, and stocking of lake trout and coaster brook trout.
• Participation in production planning, broodstock management, and daily hatchery operations.
• Work with water supply systems, fish health, and facility infrastructure.
• Opportunities to collaborate with tribal, state, federal, and other partners supporting Great Lakes fisheries restoration.
• Living and working in northern Wisconsin, with access to abundant outdoor recreation.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. If you are interested or would like additional information, please feel free to contact the Hatchery Manager, Brandon Keesler, at 715-372-8510 or [email protected].

07/21/2026

The Iron River National Fish Hatchery is hiring a Seasonal Biological Science Technician (Fish), GS-0404-05 or GS-0404-06 or GS-0404-07 working in Iron River, WI.

This is a temporary appointment intended for seasonal work that is less than 6 months or 1040 hours from the date of appointment/service year. It is expected this position will be terminated upon completion of the season’s work. The expected season is November 2026 through April 2027. This position is open to the public (U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.).

Application Period Closes: Friday, July 24, 2026

The salary will vary based on the grade level:
GS-05 - $19.52 - $25.37
GS-06 - $21.76 - $28.29
GS-07 - $24.28 - $37.43

Application Link: www.usajobs.gov/job/876716500

Duties include:
• Assists with hatchery operations which could include spawning, rearing fish in tanks or raceways, caring for fertilized eggs in trays, observing fish behavior in response to feeding, cleaning, and husbandry operations, determining feed regiments, and treating fish disease.
• Assists hatchery crew in providing daily care to fish in an aquaculture facility.
• Collects, compiles, and summarizes data.
• Performs general maintenance required for general fish hatchery upkeep and maintenance including using simple hand tools or power equipment, landscaping tools (grass mowers, shrub trimmers, etc.), and other tools for minor repairs on hatchery equipment.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
• Knowledge of fish propagation techniques.
• Ability to capture, handle, and tag or collar various fish/wildlife.
• Knowledge of fish and/or wildlife species specific to the designated survey areas sufficient to complete investigations and gather required data within the timeframe allotted.
• Knowledge of practices that affect natural resources environments (e.g., agriculture, construction) in order to recognize probable effects on and/or relationship to those resources.
• Knowledge of database systems such as geographic information systems (GIS) in order to collect, code, organize, and maintain data.

06/18/2026

The Iron River National Fish Hatchery (NFH) is hiring!

There is a current opening for a GS-07/08 Biological Science Technician, for anyone who has a strong interest in hatchery operations and fish culture.

Iron River NFH is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Hatchery System and supports fish production and restoration efforts in the Great Lakes region. This position is well suited for a person interested in hands-on hatchery work, with a primary focus on the culture and restoration of lake trout and coaster brook trout.

Position highlights include:
• Direct involvement in hatchery-based fish culture, including spawning, incubation, rearing, and stocking of lake trout and coaster brook trout.
• Participation in production planning, broodstock management, and daily hatchery operations.
• Work with water supply systems, fish health, and facility infrastructure.
• Opportunities to collaborate with tribal, state, federal, and other partners supporting Great Lakes fisheries restoration.
• Living and working in northern Wisconsin, with access to abundant outdoor recreation.

If you are interested or would like additional information, please feel free to contact the hatchery directly at 715-372-8510.

Apply at this link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/873232600

03/19/2026

Join us for our annual "Sap to Syrup" event on Saturday, March 28 at 11:00 am. Experience the entire maple syrup process from tapping to tasting! There will only be one demonstration, so don't be late. A portion of the event may take place outside. Please dress appropriately.

The event will conclude with a bowl of ice cream and maple syrup!

03/12/2026

Good news! Our seasonal job application period got extended. You still have time to apply!

Iron River National Fish Hatchery: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/859727300
Announcement number: TS-26-12898847-LP-DE

This is a temporary appointment intended for seasonal work that is less than 6 months or 1040 hours from the date of appointment/service year. It is expected this position will be terminated upon completion of the season’s work. The agency may non-competitively rehire an eligible temporary seasonal worker in subsequent years who works less than 6 months or 1040 hours in their service year.

Open and Closing dates: 03/04/2026 to 03/20/2026
Salary: $24.18 to - $31.43 per hour
Pay Scale and Grade: GS 7

See previous post for more information.

03/04/2026

South Shore Community Posting Board Please share with your local contacts. This is a great seasonal job opportunity.

WE ARE HIRING A SEASONAL BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN:

Job link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/859727300
Announcement number: TS-26-12898847-LP-DE

This is a temporary appointment intended for seasonal work that is less than 6 months or 1040 hours from the date of appointment/service year. It is expected this position will be terminated upon completion of the season’s work. The agency may non-competitively rehire an eligible temporary seasonal worker in subsequent years who works less than 6 months or 1040 hours in their service year.

Open and Closing dates: 03/04/2026 to 03/10/2026
Salary: $24.18 to - $31.43 per hour
Pay Scale and Grade: GS 7
Duties for Fish Hatchery and Propagation Positions:
• Assists with hatchery operations which could include spawning, rearing fish in tanks or raceways, caring for fertilized eggs in trays, observing fish behavior in response to feeding, cleaning, and husbandry operations, determining feed regiments, and treating fish disease.
• Assists hatchery crew in providing daily care to fish in an aquaculture facility.
• Collects, compiles, and summarizes data.
• Performs general maintenance required for general fish hatchery upkeep and maintenance including using simple hand tools or power equipment, landscaping tools (grass mowers, shrub trimmers, etc.), and other tools for minor repairs on hatchery equipment.
• Assists with training new employees.

Minimum Qualifications:
• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-06 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: care and feeding of all life stages of fish. Record and monitor fish health, maintain and update fish culture and water quality records, maintain and improve hatchery infrastructure, equipment and grounds. Rearing, distribution and maintenance of eggs, fry, parr, smolts, yearlings, and broodstock. Collect, process and inventory eggs. Follow established spawning procedures, perform routine health assessments including: necropsies of morbid fish, collecting ovarian fluid samples, external examination of fish for parasites and collecting blood samples. OR
• Successfully completed one year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school's equivalent) in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree that included courses directly related to the occupation, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. OR
• A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement

03/04/2026

WE ARE HIRING A SEASONAL BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN:

Job link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/859727300
Announcement number: TS-26-12898847-LP-DE

This is a temporary appointment intended for seasonal work that is less than 6 months or 1040 hours from the date of appointment/service year. It is expected this position will be terminated upon completion of the season’s work. The agency may non-competitively rehire an eligible temporary seasonal worker in subsequent years who works less than 6 months or 1040 hours in their service year.

Open and Closing dates: 03/04/2026 to 03/10/2026
Salary: $24.18 to - $31.43 per hour
Pay Scale and Grade: GS 7
Duties for Fish Hatchery and Propagation Positions:
• Assists with hatchery operations which could include spawning, rearing fish in tanks or raceways, caring for fertilized eggs in trays, observing fish behavior in response to feeding, cleaning, and husbandry operations, determining feed regiments, and treating fish disease.
• Assists hatchery crew in providing daily care to fish in an aquaculture facility.
• Collects, compiles, and summarizes data.
• Performs general maintenance required for general fish hatchery upkeep and maintenance including using simple hand tools or power equipment, landscaping tools (grass mowers, shrub trimmers, etc.), and other tools for minor repairs on hatchery equipment.
• Assists with training new employees.

Minimum Qualifications:
• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-06 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: care and feeding of all life stages of fish. Record and monitor fish health, maintain and update fish culture and water quality records, maintain and improve hatchery infrastructure, equipment and grounds. Rearing, distribution and maintenance of eggs, fry, parr, smolts, yearlings, and broodstock. Collect, process and inventory eggs. Follow established spawning procedures, perform routine health assessments including: necropsies of morbid fish, collecting ovarian fluid samples, external examination of fish for parasites and collecting blood samples. OR
• Successfully completed one year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours or the school's equivalent) in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree that included courses directly related to the occupation, such as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, aquaculture, etc. OR
• A combination of education and experience as described in 1 and 2 above which together equals 100% of the requirement

02/23/2026

Don't forget to join us this coming Saturday from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Come enjoy the trails in the evening light!