Jobs at Western

Research Technologist Supervisor

Apply now Job no: 502728
Work type: Permanent Part Time
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: College of the Environment

Position Title Research Technologist Supervisor
About the University

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

About the Department The Institute for Watershed Studies supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. IWS exists to support research on freshwater lakes, streams and wetlands. Affiliated with Western's College of the Environment, IWS provides support to all Western faculty and students with an interest in watershed problems. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.   
About the Position

Under general direction, develop, verify, and implement investigative procedures to accomplish research goals related to the Institute for Watershed Studies; analyze experimental results and prepare reports for publication; and supervise staff. Assist in the design of experiments and long-term studies; determine appropriate experimental controls. Conduct water quality monitoring on lakes and tributaries.  Administer, supervise and conduct the activities of a research laboratory, including quality assurance/quality control, accreditation, and sample analysis. 

Although this position is part-time (0.75 FTE), it is possible to reach full-time status (1.0 FTE) pending grant funding. 

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in a science-related field (e.g., environmental science, chemistry, biology, natural resources) AND three (3) years experience as a research technologist, or equivalent; OR an advanced degree in an appropriate scientific field AND one (1) year experience.
  • Experience with water quality monitoring, including field and lab-based methods.
  • Experience with data management
  • Proven ability to efficiently organize and prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently despite frequent interruptions.
  • Experience safely leading field and lab-based research.
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and remain calm in stressful situations.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations.
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute positively in a team-oriented environment.
  • Valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Design and implementation of quality assurance and quality control protocols.
  • Experience training and mentoring students and/or junior personnel.
  • Recognized ability to follow established office policies and procedures.
  • Experience operating automated chemistry analyzers.
  • Experience with the programming language R.
  • Experience operating small watercraft.
Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary $3,771 - $5,080/month (@.75) depending on qualifications and experience
Benefits Information Benefits Overview for Classified Positions
Bargaining Unit This position is part of bargaining unit PT and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Public School Employees of WWU.
Application Instructions

Application materials should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications. Please include a resume/curriculum vitae, cover letter, and contact information for three references.  

Please reach out to the IWS Director (Angela Strecker, strecka2@wwu.edu) with questions. 

Closing Date Notes

Position open to current PSE, Dual Career Assistance (DCA), and permanent internal WWU employees (including project); position closes 10/07/2025 at 11:55 pm.  PSE candidates will receive priority consideration.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at student.life@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.

Advertised: Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Pacific Daylight Time

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