Riparian Restoration Technician

Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group; Washington; On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group seeks a Fall Riparian Restoration Technician for its Riparian Enhancement and Stewardship Project.

The role supports restoration across 8 watersheds, focusing on native vegetation, knotweed control, and data collection via ArcGIS Field Maps, with hands-on training and field teamwork.

Qualifications

• Training provided; applicants with relevant experience preferred.
• Must be dependable and able to work with a team.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and navigate rough river terrain.

Responsibilities

• Mulching native plants and maintaining on-site vegetation.
• Control of invasive plants using herbicide, brushcutter, chainsaw.
• Collect knotweed treatment location data using ArcGIS FieldMaps.
• Survey remote streams for noxious weeds and habitat conditions.
• Hike through uneven terrain in varied weather conditions.
• Clean and maintain field equipment regularly.
• Install native plants using tools and equipment.

Skills

Team player

Attention to detail

Computer literacy

Driver's license

Tools

ArcGIS Field Maps

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

• Project Duration: Approximately September 14th, 2026 – December/January 2026 (start and end dates flexible)
• Pay: Hourly compensation starting at $18.00/hour
• Location: Position would report to HCSEG office in Belfair, WA
• Hours per week: 40 (Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm; may at times require four tens Monday-Thursday 7am-5:30pm)

The Fall Riparian Restoration Technician will assist with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group's Riparian Enhancement and Stewardship Project.

The Riparian Enhancement and Stewardship Project targets 8 watersheds throughout the Hood Canal region. The aim is to restore salmon habitat for threatened Hood Canal salmon, primarily by controlling noxious weeds and installing native vegetation. The successful applicant will be working with staff and field crews to learn via hands-on experience with power tools, performing stewardship activities, and using ArcGIS Field Maps for data collection. Work will include invasive knotweed control along ESA-listed Hood Canal Summer Chum streams, native seed collection and cleaning, nursery work, planting, and planting site maintenance. Riparian technicians will have the opportunity to gain familiarity with Pacific salmonids, native plant identification, and riparian ecosystem and salmon habitat ecology.

Desirable Skills/Qualifications:

Training provided, but applicants experienced in these areas preferred

• Applicant must be a dependable individual and work with a team
• Attention to detail and ability to use computer applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel
• Some familiarity of Washington native plants identification
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and maneuver through rough river and stream terrain at a relatively rapid pace
• Applicant must have a valid driver's license and dependable transportation.

Responsibilities/Tasks:

• Mulching native plants, setting up on-site browse fencing, and watering native vegetation
• Chemical (herbicide), mechanical (brushcutter, chainsaw), and manual control of invasive plants
• Collect knotweed treatment location data on Hood Canal Rivers using ArcGIS FieldMaps app
• Survey remote streams for noxious weeds, riparian habitat conditions and monitor past restoration sites
• Hiking through uneven terrain and thick brush in extreme weather ie. hot, humid, wet and cold
• Cleaning/maintaining field equipment on a regular basis
• Installing native plants using shovels and mechanical equipment such as earth augers