Senior Riverine Ecology Field Technician - Scientific Technician 3 - Permanent - 2026-07381

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position performs complex scientific duties and organizes field programs for ecological studies important for conserving and protecting native freshwater fish species. It involves collecting data to understand factors impacting the freshwater survival of native fish populations. The role includes implementing and conducting freshwater ecological surveys, organizing biological field sampling programs, and maintaining data. The technician will assist with planning weekly schedules, lead daily crew activities, and use established procedures to conduct non-native fish surveys. They will use their best judgment to modify survey protocols and/or schedule surveys based on weather and river conditions. This role requires proficiency in using motorized and non-motorized boats, electrofishing equipment, telemetry, and other fisheries sampling techniques. Environmental DNA samples will be collected, and biological samples (tissue, eDNA, diet, otolith) will be processed, including fish dissections. The position also involves installing, maintaining, and monitoring stream temperature monitoring gages and fabricating apparatus as needed. Training efforts for sampling techniques will be assisted, and recommendations for new or modified techniques will be made. Leadership and administrative tasks include assisting with the recruitment of lower-level technicians, providing guidance to Scientific Technician 2 staff, planning daily field operations, assigning tasks, and ensuring adherence to safety protocols. Vehicle maintenance and mileage reporting, as well as proper recording of purchases and timely submission of OPFs and purchasing card logs, are also responsibilities. Data management includes leading data entry and QA/QC for survey data, documentation, summarization, and tabulation. Collected biological samples will be organized and cataloged, and data will be prepared for project deliverables.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science, and four (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.
OR Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science, and four (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
OR Equivalent education/experience. College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute year-for-year for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

First Aid and CPR Certified.
3 years of experience handling freshwater fish and collecting biological information.
3 years of experience operating outboard motors and generators.
2 years of experience electrofishing (boat preferred).
2 years of experience towing boats with trailers.
2 years of experience navigating rivers in watercraft.
2 years of experience managing and maintaining computer files and using spreadsheet software (e.g. Microsoft Excel).
1 year experience leading a crew or supervising.
1 year experience hiking long distances.
1 year experience using digital data entry servers such as iForms or Survey123.
6 months of experience processing fish diet samples.

Responsibilities

Implement and conduct freshwater ecological surveys.
Organize biological field sampling programs and maintain data.
Assist with planning weekly schedules and lead daily crew activities.
Conduct non-native fish surveys using motorized and non-motorized boats, electrofishing equipment, telemetry, and other fisheries sampling techniques.
Collect environmental DNA samples according to established protocols.
Process biological samples, including tissue, eDNA, diet, and otolith samples, and conduct fish dissections.
Install, maintain, and monitor stream temperature monitoring gages.
Fabricate apparatus for temperature monitoring as needed.
Assist with training efforts for all sampling techniques and protocols.
Recommend new or modified sampling techniques.
Assist in the recruiting process of lower-level non-permanent technicians.
Provide leadership and guidance to crews of Scientific Technician 2 staff.
Plan daily field operations, assign tasks, and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
Ensure agency vehicles are maintained and mileage is reported monthly.
Ensure purchases are properly recorded, OPFs and purchasing card logs are submitted to fiscal on time.
Lead data entry and QA/QC for survey data.
Organize and catalog collected biological samples and prepare for analysis.
Maintain accurate and timely field records.
Assist with the preparation of data to meet project deliverables.