Part Time Water Quality Research Technician

Job Type Part-time Description

The Water Quality Research Technician will support field sampling, monitoring, and data management for a 6PPD-Q water quality research program in western Washington. Working with the Project Lead, this position will deploy passive samplers, operate automated water samplers, collect and handle environmental samples, maintain equipment, document field conditions, and support QA/QC. Work is weather-dependent and may require flexible scheduling within the 20-hour workweek.  This position will run for 6 months, with a possible extension.

Essential Duties

• Conduct 6PPD-Q and related surface-water sampling following SOPs, QAPPs, and QA/QC requirements.
• Collect, label, preserve, transport, and document samples, including duplicates, blanks, chain-of-custody records, observations, and metadata.
• Prepare, deploy, retrieve, clean, and maintain passive samplers, autosamplers, field instruments, and associated equipment.
• Support storm-event sampling by preparing equipment, checking programs, visiting sites, retrieving samples, and documenting issues or deviations.
• Enter, organize, review, and quality-check field, sample, equipment, and laboratory data in project systems.
• Maintain organized field and digital records, sample IDs, deployment logs, equipment inventories, data summaries, and correction or deviation notes.
• Coordinate sampling logistics, sample transfers, field schedules, data needs, and technical information with partners, laboratories, agencies, and collaborators.
• Travel to monitoring sites and conduct safe fieldwork around streams, roadsides, stormwater infrastructure, and uneven or wet terrain.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, chemistry, fisheries, hydrology, natural resources, or related field.
• At least two years of professional, academic, or applied scientific research experience.
• Experience implementing environmental monitoring protocols, maintaining accurate records, and supporting data QA/QC.
• Strong understanding of data quality, documentation, traceability, reproducibility, sample integrity, and scientific protocols.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, meet time-sensitive field and data deadlines, and communicate professionally with partners and laboratories.
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather, navigate uneven terrain and roadside locations, carry field equipment, and maintain a storm-responsive schedule.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to field sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with aquatic ecology, environmental chemistry, surface-water or storm water sampling, passive sampling, autosamplers, sondes, chain-of-custody, environmental datasets, or field equipment troubleshooting.
• Experience working with agencies, universities, laboratories, nonprofits, or other collaborative research partners.

Schedule and Field Qualifications

This position is budgeted at 20 hours per week and is expected to occur primarily Monday–Friday, with possible early mornings, evenings, occasional weekends, or short-notice mobilization tied to qualifying precipitation events. 

Fieldwork includes walking on uneven or slippery terrain, bending, kneeling, reaching, carrying sampling equipment, and working around streams, roadways, stormwater infrastructure, and wet environments while following safety procedures and using required PPE.

Desired Attributes

The successful candidate will be dependable, detail-oriented, safety-minded, comfortable working independently in the field, and committed to rigorous scientific standards. Interest in applied water quality science, aquatic ecology, stormwater research, emerging contaminants, and collaborative watershed monitoring is preferred.

 At TU, we value diversity and actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically underrepresented in conservation and who have been most impacted by degraded rivers and streams. We are committed to a place for all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and clean our shared waters. 

Salary Description $30-32 per hour