Scientific Technician – Forest Resources

Scientific Technician 2
Full-time, Project, Represented position (WPEA)
Anticipated Project is December 2025-June 2027
Work Hours flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $3,477.00 – $4,632.00 Monthly

Responsibilities:

• Collects, both individually or as part of a team, detailed environmental data and information
• Works as part of a team to conduct physical and/or biological surveys of streams, riparian areas, and/or uplands.
• Implements field protocols for estimating juvenile salmonid abundance and adult spawner counts.
• Implements field protocols on wildlife habitat, stream morphology, stream water temperature, riparian vegetation, and microclimate.
• Gathers forest measurement data, such as tree diameter, species identification, tree density, and understory vegetation.
• Gathers time-sensitive, degradable biological samples, including periphytic algae, stream water column, water chemistry samples, foliar litter, salmonid carcasses, and macroinvertebrates.
• Utilizes lab equipment and chemicals for processing biological samples.
• Operates and maintains field instruments and equipment such as stream flow meters, stream temperature sensors, wildlife cameras, acoustic monitors, light recorders, field tablets, and backpack electro fishers.
• Drives vehicles on unimproved roads and navigates unmarked road systems, navigates and hikes rough, remote terrain, and copes with a variety of weather conditions.
• Assists the field lead with organizing the day-to-day activities of interns and/or volunteers.
• Records and manages raw data on paper datasheets and electronically (using handheld tablets and GPS).
• Error-proof and manages multiple databases, including operational logs, temperature data, photos, and site access notes.
• Reviews and identifies species from wildlife camera imagery.

Required Qualifications: 

• One year of experience in environmental monitoring;
  OR An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Knowledge of environmental sampling and data collection.
• Experience in data entry and management.
• Professional interpersonal skills and a commitment to teamwork.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with multiple-pass removal backpack electrofishing.
• Experience with stream sampling techniques.
• Experience with riparian and upland forest surveys.
• Experience identifying salmon and tree species common to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.