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 Lab 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. They will be expected to be able to work independently and comfortably in a lab setting, properly handling and monitoring macroalgae cultures. 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 in the future; pay is $40,000-$45,000. The Habitat Programs Lab Technician will receive PSRF’s suite of competitive benefits. The Technician will be expected to work at the PSRF Manchester Research Station (7305 Beach Dr. E., Port Orchard, WA 98366) approximately 2-3 days per week on average, with seasonal variation, and will have the option to work remotely for some days. The technician will be expected to work at other locations occasionally, including the main office on Bainbridge Island (8001 Day Road West, Ste. B, Bainbridge Island, WA) and fieldwork that occurs in a wide range of locations around Puget Sound.

Responsibilities

  • Provide critical support for kelp lab operations, including:
    • Prepare stock media and all required solutions, which requires properly handling and measuring small quantities of chemicals
    • Tend to biomass cultures by adhering to sterile transfer techniques
    • Maintain equipment and areas dedicated to culture through sterile practices, including operating an autoclave
    • Monitor cultures using compound and dissecting microscopy and contribute to data logging
    • Keep an inventory of materials and supplies for the lab
  • Contribute to the development of lab protocols and procedures
  • Manage environmental instruments, including calibration, maintenance, data management
  • Support facilities and equipment development using hand tools and power tools
  • Provide additional support for a variety of habitat restoration projects including but not limited to: data management, participation in on-water, small vessel, and beach-based fieldwork, preparation of written communications, and other tasks as necessary

Minimum Requirements

  • Must be at least 21 years old, have proof of full COVID-19 vaccination
  • Must be a U.S. citizen as work is conducted at a federal facility (NOAA’s Manchester Research Station). Must successfully complete the federal clearance process required to work on site. We will begin to guide you through that process upon acceptance of job offer.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation to move throughout the greater Puget Sound region
  • Ability to perform data recording/entry
  • Comfortable lifting and carrying 50 lbs
  • Ability to walk on uneven surfaces for extended durations
  • 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
  • Demonstrated experience with microscopy, sterile technique, micropipetting, general laboratory equipment and procedures
  • Experience with aquatic organism care or culture, laboratory equipment maintenance, and/or marine aquaculture
  • Experience using common software applications including MS Office and Google Office Suite

In addition, some combination of the following skills will help a candidate succeed in this position:

  • Comfortable using hand tools and power tools for minor fabrication
  • Experience with equipment and apparatus construction and development for the marine environment, including plumbing, carpentry, rigging, etc.
  • Experience working with data in R, Excel or other programs, 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 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/