Job Description

Level: Experienced
Job Location: Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe - Kingston, WA 98346
Position Type: Full Time - 30 - 40 hrs/weekEducation
Level: 4 Year Degree - Required
Salary Range: $81,201.00 - $95,411.00 Salary/year
Travel Percentage: Occasional travel to trainingsThe Research Scientist conducts marine and freshwater habitat research and monitoring to support science-based conservation, restoration, enhancement, and resource management. Working collaboratively with the Tribe’s scientists, technicians, and external partners, this position plans and implements research and monitoring projects, analyzes environmental and biological data, and communicates findings to support informed decision-making.
The position integrates modern data science and quantitative ecological approaches including statistical analysis, spatial analysis, ecological modeling, and data visualization to interpret complex ecological datasets and improve understanding of ecosystem dynamics, species distribution, and environmental drivers. This position contributes to the Department’s mission of sustainably managing, protecting, enhancing, conserving, and restoring culturally relevant species, landscapes, and seascapes that are essential to the unique identity of the S’Klallam People.
Duties Include:
Research and Development
• Conduct scientific research and develop methods, technologies, and tools to support restoration, recovery, enhancement, and climate adaptation for culturally and economically relevant species.
• Collect, manage, and analyze hydroacoustic data, eDNA, and other biological and environmental samples.
• Apply data science and quantitative ecological methods—including statistical analysis, ecological modeling, spatial analysis, and data visualization—to interpret complex ecological datasets and inform resource management decisions.
• Assist the Senior Research Scientist in developing and implementing new research initiatives and identifying and pursuing funding opportunities.
Monitoring and Data Science
• Manage, analyze, and synthesize large ecological monitoring datasets to identify trends in physical environmental drivers, species distribution, abundance, and habitat use.
• Develop reproducible data workflows and analytical approaches for long-term ecological monitoring programs.
• Address key data gaps in characterizing habitat use of species vital to the Tribe’s cultural and economic well-being.
• Identify spatial and temporal patterns in species distribution, abundance, and viability across the Tribe’s usual and accustomed areas using statistical and geospatial analysis.
Project Management and Coordination
• Prioritize program tasks, goals, and data collection activities to support research and monitoring objectives.
• Assist the Senior Research Scientist in coordinating periodic project status meetings with the Natural Resources Department Director, staff, and partner organizations—including the Point No Point Treaty Council (PNPTC), Northwest Indian Fish Commission (NWIFC), University of Washington (UW), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)—to discuss project progress, priorities, and opportunities for collaboration.

Qualifications:
Education/

Experience: Must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., biology, ecology, fisheries science, oceanography, environmental science, or data science). A Master’s or PhD is preferred; however, relevant work or internship experience may substitute for this preference.
Licensing/Certification:
• Valid Driver’s License
• Valid Washington State Boater Education Card (may be obtained within six months of hire)
Technical and Data Analysis Skills:
• Moderate to advanced experience with word processing (Word), spreadsheets (Excel), and statistical analysis in R.
• Experience managing and analyzing ecological datasets using modern quantitative tools preferred.
• Familiarity with EchoView, ArcGIS or QGIS, Python, SQL, and scientific data visualization tools preferred.
• Experience with spatial analysis, ecological modeling, or reproducible research workflows is desirable.
Other Important Skills:
• Strong data management, organization, and record-keeping skills
• Experience in hydroacoustics preferred
• Experience working with eDNA preferred
• Experience identifying plankton, larval marine invertebrates, and larval fish desirable
• Experience in forest, stream, or marine ecology desirable
• Ability to take initiative and work independently on projects
• Familiarity with Tribal fisheries in the Pacific Northwest desirable
• Experience operating boats up to 17 feet and conducting field research preferred
• Understanding of sampling design and statistical analysis required
• Scuba diving experience preferred
Physical Requirements:
• Regularly required to finger, handle, and reach with hands and arms
• Frequently required to walk, sit, and stand
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Normal audio and visual acuity
Travel Requirements:
• Frequent local and regional travel and occasional national or international travel as required

Other Requirements:
• Position regularly requires fieldwork, vessel operations, and remote work