Salary: $40,000-$45,000

Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) works to restore abundant marine resources and our connections to them through a diverse portfolio of in-the-water projects throughout Puget Sound. The main focus of our restoration is living marine habitat and species, using structure forming species (Olympia oysters, bull kelp) and habitat enhancing species (pinto abalone). Our team of 18 staff works to advance our mission of designing, testing and spearheading in-water actions to restore Puget Sound’s marine habitats, species, and waters – for people and place.

PSRF seeks a Habitat Programs Field Technician to provide core capacity for our Olympia Oyster and Bull Kelp Habitat Restoration Programs. They will have a wide range of responsibilities, supporting both  programs to advance habitat recovery programs goals. The Technician will work directly with our Habitat team staff to develop and implement restoration projects, monitoring campaigns, and applied research in the laboratory and field. Field work occurs primarily in the summer in various locations across Puget Sound, and involves work on beaches, from small boats, and with SCUBA. As field activities are scheduled in accordance with the tides, the Technician is expected to periodically work odd hours, longer than 8-hr days and during inclement weather. Most field work is done in teams, but occasionally is done independently, safety permitting. In the non-field season, the technician will assist with data entry and management, sample processing, laboratory work, and other projects. PSRF is a team environment, and they will have support from the Habitat Team and other PSRF staff to ensure tasks are successfully accomplished.

This is a full-time position funded for 1 year with the intent to continue support for the position after 1 year; pay is $40,000-$45,000. The Habitat Programs Field Technician will receive PSRF’s suite of competitive benefits. The location of the position is variable across a variety of field sites throughout Puget Sound, especially throughout the summer. Overnight travel may occasionally be necessary. The Technician will be expected to work at the PSRF main office on Bainbridge Island (8001 Day Road West, Ste. B, Bainbridge Island, WA) 2-3 days per week and will have the option to work remotely for some days.

Responsibilities

  • Provide logistical support for intertidal and subtidal fieldwork
  • Participate in kelp forest restoration work and scientific surveys via SCUBA, snorkeling, and paddleboarding and small vessel operation
  • Participate in restoration work and scientific surveys in the intertidal on oyster beaches and mud flats
  • Assist with collection, preservation and processing of samples (live invertebrates/algae, water samples, sediment cores, etc.)
  • Support environmental instrument management including calibration, maintenance, data management
  • Manage gear and equipment, source new materials as needed
  • Assist with data management through data collection, entry, quality control, and file maintenance

Minimum Requirements

  • AAUS Scientific Diver with cold-water dive experience
  • Must be at least 21 years old, have proof of full COVID-19 vaccination
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation to move throughout the greater Puget Sound region, comfortable driving long distances and navigating the ferry system
  • Comfortable lifting and carrying 50 lbs without accommodation
  • Comfortable working in adverse weather conditions, on boats and in marine environments
  • Ability to walk on uneven surfaces for extended durations
  • Ability to perform data recording/entry
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills

 Recommended Qualifications

  • 4 years of experience, or Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience) showing evidence of ability to perform stated responsibilities
  • Knowledge of Puget Sound or other temperate coastal ecosystems
  • Advanced SCUBA certifications (e.g. Rescue, Divemaster) and/or >100 lifetime logged dives and >12 logged dives in the past year
  • Experience filling out data sheets neatly and legibly in challenging environments (underwater, muddy intertidal)
  • Familiarity with common environmental and biological survey methodologies in the field
  • Comfortable using hand tools and power tools for minor fabrication
  • Experience using common software applications including MS Office and Google Office Suite
  • Experience with handheld GPS, GIS, ESRI software and spatial data collection in the field
  • Demonstrated experience with microscopy, general laboratory equipment and procedures

In addition, some combination of the following skills will help the technician succeed in this role:

  • Experience with equipment and apparatus construction and development for the marine environment, including plumbing, carpentry, rigging, etc.
  • Experience working with data in R and/or Excel, including generating data summaries and analysis products for talks, reports, and other communications
  • Experience using ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro for GIS data management and analysis

PSRF recognizes that people build skills through all sorts of experiences, and welcome applicants with a wide variety of backgrounds. We warmly welcome candidates from backgrounds that are underrepresented in marine science and restoration to apply. PSRF seeks to create an inclusive and equitable work environment at PSRF and in our work with partners, and we are committed to supporting and retaining staff. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To apply
Please email a resume and cover letter to hiring@restorationfund.org by March 3, 2023.
For more information: https://restorationfund.org/aboutus/open-positions/