Watershed health technician Taylor Hoefer and lead scientist Kristi Floyd measure and record the depth of a channel in the Newaukum River.
For the last 16 years, our watershed health monitoring crews have been the waders in the water, tracking the health of Washington’s streams and rivers.
Every summer, a new wave of seasonal technicians plays a vital role in surveying watersheds throughout the state. Our crews travel around the state and collect data to assess everything from stream structure and water quality to stream-dwelling bugs and fish presence.
While collecting data, our technicians gain valuable research and field skills in environmental work. After a summer working for Ecology, many technicians build successful careers in freshwater science.
Morgan Maupin, one of Ecology's 2018 watershed health technicians, enjoyed practicing key skills, exploring the state and spending time outdoors.
“The field skills I learned and developed with watershed health were crucial in helping me land my next position,” Maupin said.
Gaining field experience
Lead scientist Chad Larson and technician Claire Langin count and release fish in a tributary of the Touchet River. 
A typical day begins with preparing and loading research gear like benthic invertebrate nets, water quality probes and measuring rods, into vehicles.
At the survey site, everyone suits up in a pair of waders, hikes to remote streams and collects hundreds of data points. Watershed health technicians spend their hours meticulously documenting the physical, biological, and chemical health of each stream.
Working in tight-knit crews, technicians learn to navigate complex terrain using GPS, manage specialized scientific equipment and maintain data quality. The immersion into field science builds technical skills, adaptability and a greater understanding of the importance of freshwater science.
Petra Zuñiga, a 2024 watershed health technician, said technicians gain a broad understanding of different aspects of river health and valuable helpful experience working on small boats.
“I loved monitoring the larger rivers via raft,” Zuñiga said. “When you’re in the field, amidst the data collection, heat, and insects, always take a moment to just sit and appreciate where you are!”
From sampling invertebrates to assessing stream-side vegetation canopy cover, every data point a technician collects strengthens our understanding of statewide stream health. A summer of technical fieldwork lays the foundation for an environmental career.
Launching science career paths
Technician Claire Kubacki carries field equipment to a site in the Asotin Creek watershed.
A look at the professional paths of past watershed health technicians demonstrates the value of field-based experience. Many past technicians have transitioned into specialized environmental jobs across the Pacific Northwest, including:
- Fisheries Scientist: studying local fish ecology to ensure healthy salmon populations
- Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Biologist: creating infrastructure to prevent and address invasive species in statewide waterways
- Freshwater Monitoring Scientist: studying water quality, monitoring streams and rivers, and measuring the effectiveness of watershed clean-up efforts around the state
- Fish Passage Field Lead: assessing stream barriers, such as blocked fish passages (culverts), to understand whether they prevent salmon from using streams
- Biological Scientist: monitoring salmon habitat, conducting snorkel surveys to count salmon, and monitoring salmon breeding grounds
Taylor Hoefer, a 2025 watershed health technician, said conducting scientific surveys was helpful in building their resume.
“I enjoyed gaining experience in different survey techniques," Hoefer said. "This job certainly affirmed my interest in studying and understanding aquatic systems."
Want to join the watershed health crew?
Environmental specialist Cait Dellert collects habitat data via raft in the Grande Ronde River.
We are looking for six environmental technicians to join our team for 2026! If you are a recent graduate or early career scientist, please apply for one of our summer positions to gain field experience and learn different protocols used for stream monitoring.
Ready to apply? Here’s what to do next:
- Read the environmental technician position descriptions and apply online.
- Visit our watershed health monitoring webpage to learn more about our river and stream surveys.
- Submit your full application and materials by April 19, 2026 to be considered in the first round of review.
All crew members report to our headquarters office in Lacey and travel extensively throughout the work week. We cover your meals and lodging while traveling.