This is a collaborative position between The Nature Conservancy’s North Florida Program (NFL) and U. S. Forest Service (USFS) Apalachicola National Forest. The work will be shared between the two cooperators across the central panhandle region. This full-time position has currently identified financial support until June 30th, 2019 and no guarantees can be made that the position will extend beyond that date. However, The Nature Conservancy is an employer at will and the employment relationship may end at any time.
The Restoration Technician performs land management and restoration activities in the longleaf pine community and embedded isolated wetlands. They remove exotic species, participates in prescribed fire program, assists in forestry field data collection, assists with restoration contract management and oversight, and conducts rare species monitoring. You will assist with fleet, equipment and tool maintenance. The Restoration Technician will maintain records using a database or PC.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Supervises no staff, but may help plan and lead preserve work groups, including staff, contractors or volunteers.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
- Requires flexible schedule including extended workdays, weekend and holiday work.
- Often requires working in isolated settings.
- Makes day to day decisions as delegated by supervisor.
- May work under infrequent supervision.
FLORIDA SPECIFIC:
- Participates in forest management, restoration, and wildlife monitoring efforts on Conservancy-owned and partner-owned conservation lands. Associated tasks will include, but not limited to invasive species control, restoration contract field oversight, biological monitoring and prescribed fire.
- Assist with monitoring of contractors involved with various land management activities (e.g. invasive species control and isolated wetland restoration.)
- Participates in various ecological monitoring activities, including annual surveys for the federally threatened frosted flatwoods salamander.
- Participates as a fire team crew member on prescribed burns conducted by The Nature Conservancy and various partner agencies. Participate on wildfires if requested.
- Must meet minimum TNC – National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training and health requirements for wildland fires at the arduous level. For Florida: 3 mile walk with a 45 pound pack vest with a time of 45 minutes or less.
- Must have familiarity with the safe operation of equipment and off-road vehicles, and must follow recommended safety guidelines and precautions specified for said work.
- Operate the following equipment, if qualified: ignition devices, 4 WD trucks, ATV’s, UTV’s, portable pumps, pump engines, farm tractors with mowing, seed collection, or seed sowing implements, backpack blowers, brushcutters, chain saws, hand tools, and GPS units.
- Ability to safely implement integrated pest management methods for control of invasive, non-native plants and other nuisance plants, including chemical (herbicide) and manual treatments.
- Ability to successfully complete State of Florida Certified Pesticide Applicator training within 3 months of hire
- Will use Conservancy-owned vehicles. Must hold a valid state driver’s license.
- Will be required to provide reliable transportation from Conservancy housing to an office located 8 miles away.
- Will use USFS-owned vehicles. Must be able to complete USFS defensive driver training and certification
- Maintain personal appearance in professional, presentable fashion, suitable to represent the North Florida Program to agency partners and the public.
- Good interpersonal skills. Ability to maintain positive morale under adverse working conditions. Ability to get along in a group setting.
- Willingness to live in a rural setting and work in close contact with coworkers of varying backgrounds and dispositions
- Ability to complete tasks within assigned timeframes, frequently in the absence of supervision.
- PC familiarity, including database knowledge, in order to maintain preserve records.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 1 year’s training in science-related field or related experience in land management.
- Experience recognizing plant and animal species.
- Experience operating various types of equipment.
- Experience working in a team environment.
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide application, and driver’s license).
- Must meet NWCG 310-1 training requirements for Basic Wildland Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2). Willingness to work outdoors in hot weather. Current Red Card and First aid training a plus.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 1 - 2 years’ experience in land management.
- Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems.
- Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete land management activities.
- Experience working with contractors for invasive species control or other land management activities.
- Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g.; lawn mower, chainsaw, tractor, two-way radio, etc.).
- Small engine repair expertise
- Multi-lingual, multicultural skills and background an asset
- Experience using ArcGIS and GPS software and hardware to collect and manipulate spatial data.
Co-ed housing and basic utilities, with the exception of telephone, will be provided in a Conservancy residence as taxable income to the employee.