The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is committed to protecting and exercising the inherent inalienable sovereign rights of the Tribe and Individuals in the interest of the Medicine Creek Treat Territories, as stewards to ensure preservation of our cultural and environmental integrity for common good and prosperity for all.

Open: January 20, 2026                                                        Close: February 18, 2026

Job Title:  Scientific Technician 2                        Department: Fisheries  

Reports To: Stock Assessment Biologist           Hours: 40 Hrs/Wk – Temporary

Salary:  Based on Salary Matrix+Benefits        Requisition:                     

Position Summary:  

The Scientific Technician II will work under direction of the Puyallup Tribal Fisheries staff to monitor juvenile salmon using rotary screw traps on the Puyallup and White Rivers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Help install, maintain and monitor rotary screw traps in the Puyallup and White Rivers.
2. Sample and collect data in the field; including identification of juvenile pacific salmon and other local freshwater species, taking/recording length, collecting scales and DNA tissue, and PIT tagging.
3. Perform trap calibration experiments using mark-recapture methods for a variety of juvenile salmon species.
4. Enter field data collected into excel database for analysis, includes QA/QC.
5. Work in inclement weather during day and night shifts to protect trap from flood damage and debris. 
6. Perform other fisheries/water quality duties as assigned, which may include: cleaning raceways/hatchery maintenance, commercial sampling, adult spawner surveys, water quality monitoring, and beach seining.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education and/or Experience

Minimum requirement of an A.A.S., in addition to two years of field experience in fisheries; or a Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Environmental Science or related field from a four-year college or university. Must have beginning to intermediate computer skills in Excel and Word and be able to accurately enter and compile data into a computer spreadsheet. Also must be comfortable working in and around boats in inclement weather.

Note: Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g. if you work 20 hours per week for a 12 month period you will be credited with 6 months of experience)

Additional Preferred Skills

Ability to work alone and at night.

Mechanical ability

Identification/knowledge of juvenile/adult salmonids and other freshwater species

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups and employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and draw and interpret information from various types of graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to the job from detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving potentially dangerous situations in a safe manner.

Licenses or Certificates

Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Driver’s License and proof of auto insurance.  Driver’s License must not contain any restrictions that would otherwise prevent an employee from operating a GSA vehicle and complying with the Tribe’s Vehicle Use Policy.

Required to successfully pass a background check prior to hire.

Other Requirements

Required to be on-call and within 35 miles of the trap and available to respond to emergencies when on shift.

Physical Demands

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and use hands to finger, handle or feel. 
2. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. 
3. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
4. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

5. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet, humid conditions, outside weather conditions, and moving mechanical parts.
6. The employee is regularly exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat.
7. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. 
8. The noise level in the river environment is usually moderate.
9. The noise level in the office environment is usually moderate.
10. Requires occasional travel using employee’s own transportation or use of GSA vehicles.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law

Native American preference applies and job placements are given on a competitive basis, using job related factors.  Because of the large number of applications received and limited job positions, your application will not guarantee employment.