Mid-Columbia Fisheries (MCF) is seeking a Project Technician to provide technical support for salmon habitat restoration projects.  The position requires a hard-working, flexible, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual that is passionate about our mission and interested in learning new skills.  This is a full-time position with funding through December 2026, and will be extended based on funding availability. 

Work station: The Project Technician will work out of MCF’s Ellensburg or Yakima office.  Some work from home is available with permission from the supervisor and as independent work is available.  Work occurs throughout the Yakima Basin.  

Pay and Benefits: $22-$25/hr depending on skills and experience. The position is a GS-06 on the federal general scale.  Benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance (employer pays 85% of the premium for the employee and 0% for dependents)
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Eligibility for a 3% employer retirement match after one year of employment (Simple IRA)

Schedule: This is a full-time position.  The schedule can be five eight-hour days, four 10-hour days, or some variation of these.  

Primary Responsibilities:

Project Management Support

• Assist project managers with the planning and development of restoration projects. 
• Work collaboratively and independently to perform restoration site reconnaissance and identify restoration site requirements and next steps.
• Use GIS to create maps and digitize information. 
• Under the guidance of project managers, complete a variety of support tasks, including materials provision, cost estimates, oversight of project implementation, order and coordinate delivery of supplies, assist with project logistics, etc.
• Assist with preparation and advertising of requests for quotes, bids, and related solicitations. 
• Assist with grant reporting and preparation of permit applications for restoration projects.
• Assist with site visits, stream and vegetation surveys, seed collection and cleaning, data entry and data synthesis, monitoring, field mapping, landowner outreach, and related.
• Keep accurate records and communicate with Project Managers about site conditions and restoration actions.
• Perform private and public landowner outreach.

Administrative Duties

• Attend weekly MCF staff meetings (7 am Thursdays) and occasional other meetings as required, including some meetings of MCF Project Managers or project-specific meetings. 
• Keep accurate records, and potentially assist with development or maintenance of spreadsheets or other methods to track information and data.
• Support coordination of the Eastern WA Riparian Restoration Symposium, planned in 2026 for late February in Wenatchee, WA.  This work may include support for registration, recruitment, coordination, outreach, and general logistical support during the symposium. Work may also include web page maintenance, and list-serve development and maintenance.  The Assistant Project Manager is not likely to help with this task beyond 2026.
• Assist with equipment and fleet management as needed.
• Assist with updating information about restoration projects on MCF’s webpage as needed.
• Provide project photos and captions for social media.

Support to Restoration Crew

• As needed, the Project Technician may work directly with MCF’s restoration crew.  This is most likely if the Project Technician is needed to provide additional leadership or technical support to the crew, in times when the crew is short-staffed, or if the Project Technician is caught up with other duties. 

Other Information

As a non-profit organization dependent on grant funding, strong organizational function requires all MCF staff to willingly assume duties as organizational needs fluctuate.  The Project Technician will work closely with MCF’s Project Managers and will frequently work independently.   The position will also work with other staff, landowners, partners, or volunteers.  Additionally, the Project Technician will:  

• Maintain high quality and efficient work and perform tasks with professionalism and responsibility.
• Represent MCF to the public and partners with a high level of professionalism.
• Model a strong work ethic.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Must be dependable, self-motivated, and demonstrate a positive attitude.
• Must have good interpersonal skills and work collaboratively with other staff. 
• Ability to problem solve and adapt to unforeseen problems, and changing priorities. 
• Excellent communication skills, including respectful, clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Flexible to changes in assigned duties.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with social media platforms. Ability to learn new applications as needed to complete work.
• Experience using ArcGIS Pro, including map-making, field collection and display of features, and office-based digitizing features.
• Experience using Excel to complete data summary and graphical display such as sum, average, and standard error.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, stay on task and maintain a positive attitude about tasks.
• Comfortable and safe working around water. 
• Must demonstrate the ability and willingness to perform all aspects of the work, including:
• Comfortable working in remote areas (without cell phone coverage);
• Capable of lifting 30 lbs into and out of trucks, and walking 3 miles daily over steep or uneven terrain;
• Capable of bending, squatting, kneeling, lifting overhead, and other repetitive movements associated with field work; and
• Must comply with all safety and personnel policies.
• Must provide own personal work boots and work attire.
• A valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and the ability to safely operate vehicles is required to operate MCFEG vehicles.

Supervisor: The position will support the multiple Project Managers, and report directly to one of MCF’s Project Manager located in Ellensburg.  (Supervisor to be determined).