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 ~20 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 Program Dive and Field Technician to provide core capacity for our Olympia Oyster Restoration and Bull Kelp Recovery Programs. They will have a wide range of responsibilities, supporting both programs to advance habitat recovery program goals, including a future lead role of spearheading the Olympia oyster recruitment project and active involvement in the implementation and monitoring of additional kelp index sites throughout the Puget Sound in the upcoming year through our Eyes on Kelp project. The Dive and Field Technician will work directly with the Habitat team staff to continually develop and implement restoration projects, monitor campaigns, and apply research in the laboratory and field. Field work occurs in various locations across Puget Sound, and involves work on beaches, from small boats, with SCUBA, snorkeling, and additional small watercraft (e.g., stand-up paddle boards). As field activities are scheduled in accordance with tides, the Dive and Field Technician is expected to periodically work odd hours, longer than 8-hr days and during inclement weather. PSRF takes pride in attention to safety, and while most field work is done in teams, occasionally it is done independently, safety permitting. In the non-field season, the Dive and Field Technician will assist with data entry and management, sample processing pertaining specifically to the Olympia oyster recruitment project, and other projects as assigned. PSRF is a team environment, and the Dive and Field Technician will have support from the Habitat Team and other PSRF staff to ensure tasks are completed successfully.
We are hiring for two technician positions: (1) Full-time position for 1 year with the possibility to extend. Salary range is $42,000-47,000; and (2) Full-time, temporary position from approximately May 1 - Sept 30; pay is $23/hour. The Habitat Programs Technicians will receive PSRF’s suite of competitive benefits. The location of the position is variable across a variety of field sites throughout Puget Sound. The person will be expected to be at the PSRF main office on Bainbridge Island (8001 Day Road West, Ste. B, Bainbridge Island, WA) 4 days per week, with the option to work remotely for the other non-fieldwork day.
Responsibilities
- Provide logistical support for intertidal and subtidal fieldwork, including accurate and legible data collection in potentially adverse conditions
- 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
- Ability to work field days that may extend past normal work hours and occasionally during the night due to tides (which may include overnight travel)
- Comfortability working in a fast-paced environment with shifting field activities and responsibilities
- Assist with collection, preservation and processing of samples (live invertebrates/algae, water samples, sediment cores, etc.)
- Support environmental instrument management including calibration and quarterly maintenance
- Assist in the management, cleaning, and maintenance of gear and equipment prior to and after field days; inventory and source new materials as needed
- Assist with data management through data collection, entry, quality control, and file maintenance
- Participate in organizational events, community outreach, and collaborate with partners
Minimum Requirements
- Current or recent AAUS Scientific Diver with experience and comfort using a drysuit
- Ability to work effectively as part of a close-knit team or independently to accomplish tasks
- Ability to take initiative in completing tasks and responsibilities to effectively meet deadlines
- Effective written and verbal communication skills (with colleagues as well as with partners and the general public)
- Flexibility and willingness to assist with other projects/activities within the organization and with partners on an as needed basis
- Knowledge of Puget Sound or other temperate coastal ecosystems
- Comfortable working in adverse weather conditions, on boats and in marine environments, including ability to walk on uneven terrain for extended periods without accommodation
- Comfortable lifting and carrying 50 lbs without accommodation
- Ability to record/enter data systematically with a high degree of accuracy and completeness
- Willingness to learn additional skills as the job requires
- Must be at least 21 years old
- 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 driving a work vehicle (pick-up truck) if needed
Recommended Qualifications
- 4 years of experience, or a Bachelor’s degree in the field of ecology, environmental science,
- marine science, biology, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience showing evidence of ability to perform listed responsibilities)v
- Advanced SCUBA certifications (e.g., Rescue, Divemaster) and/or >150 lifetime logged dives and >12 logged dives in the past year; cold water dive experience
- Familiarity with common environmental and biological survey methodologies in the field
- Demonstrated experience with microscopy, general laboratory equipment and procedures
- 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
In addition, some combination of the following skills will help the technician succeed in this role:
- Experience with hand and power tools, building or fabricating, especially for the marine environment, including carpentry, rigging, etc.
- Experience with basic dive gear troubleshooting (e.g., o-ring changes, hose tightening)
- 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
Closing Date: January 22, 2024
