Position Title: Summer Riparian Restoration Technician

Program: Riparian Enhancement and Stewardship Project

Dates Available: June 2026 – September 2026 (End Date Flexible)

Application Deadline: Ongoing until filled

Location: Mason, Jefferson and Kitsap County, WA

The Salmon Center is home of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, one of 14 regional fisheries enhancement groups in the state of Washington. Our mission is to ensure that wild salmon are once again abundant in the Hood Canal Watershed through restoration, research, education and stewardship. More information available at www.pnwsalmoncenter.org.

The Riparian Enhancement and Stewardship Project targets 8 watersheds throughout the Hood Canal region. The aim is to restore salmon habitat for threatened Hood Canal salmon, primarily by controlling noxious weeds and installing native vegetation. The successful applicant will be working with staff and field crews to learn via hands-on experience with power tools, stewardship activities (plant protection, invasive plant treatment, mulching, watering) in riparian zones, and use of ArcGIS Field Maps for data collection. Riparian technicians will have the opportunity to gain familiarity with Pacific salmonid distribution, native plant identification, riparian ecosystem and salmon habitat ecology, grant writing, data analysis, and end-of-season grant reporting using ArcGIS Pro programs.

Eligibility:

  • Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student and have a valid driver’s license.

Desirable Skills/Qualifications: Training provided, but applicants experienced in these areas preferred

  • Student must be a dependable individual and work with a team
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to use computer applications such as ArcGIS, Microsoft Word, Excel and Access
  • Some familiarity of Washington native plants identification
  • Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and maneuver through rough river and stream terrain at a relatively rapid pace
  • Student must have a valid driver’s license and dependable transportation.

Responsibilities/Tasks:

  • Mulching native plants, setting up on-site browse fencing, watering native vegetation and usage of PlantSkydd Repellent
  • Chemical (herbicide), mechanical (brushcutter, chainsaw), and manual control of invasive plants
  • Collect knotweed treatment location data on Hood Canal Rivers using ArcGIS Collector App
  • Survey remote streams for noxious weeds, riparian habitat conditions and monitor past restoration sites (native plantings)
  • Hiking through uneven terrain and thick brush in extreme weather ie. hot, humid, wet and cold
  • Cleaning/maintaining field equipment on a regular basis

Project Duration: Approximately June 3rd, 2026 – September 1st, 2026

Hours per week: 8-40 (Flexibility with intern availablitity for start/end dates, hours per week.)

Pay: Stipend available; based on credit hours (see below), otherwise internship is on a volunteer basis.

To Apply: Please submit a letter of interest, a current resume with three references, and an unofficial transcript to Sabrina Wilk at riparian@pnwsalmoncenter.org. Questions and comments may also be directed to this address or by calling (360) 275-3575 Ext. 124. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Hiring decisions will be made by May 17, 2024.

Salmon Center internships are available to students enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or continuing
education program where they receive school credits and monetary stipend for their time. Internship
opportunities have flexible time commitments along with corresponding credit hours and stipends. Students must coordinate with their school or advisor in advance to ensure they receive school credit for their internship. Stipends are awarded upon completion of hours.

Time Commitment Stipend (based on a 10 week quarter) ~ Stipend
100 hours; 10 hrs/wk ~ $250.00
200 hours; 20 hrs/wk ~ $500.00
300 hours; 30 hrs/wk ~ $750.00
400 hours; 40 hrs/wk ~ $1000.00

*Stipends will be distributed in two installments upon the completion of committed contract hours. The first payment will be distributed at midterm (of internship) and the last payment will be distributed at end of term.

*Start and end dates of projects may not necessarily coincide with quarterly school schedules. Start and end dates and/or weekly hour commitment for internships are negotiable but must be determined before work commences