The Forest Management Assistant will help our Southern Indiana staff as they maintain forested properties and perform land management activities as part of The Nature Conservancy’s Forest Bank Program. This program is a conservation alternative developed by The Nature Conservancy in Indiana to conserve working woodlands while preserving opportunities for recreation, wildlife habitat, natural beauty, and solitude. The work performed contributes to the protection and maintenance of migratory songbird habitat in Indiana by the restoration of declining forest community types and the control of non-native invasive plants.
The Forest Management Assistant will work out of the Conservancy’s Brown County Hills office in Nashville, Indiana. This is a 14-week position with a variable start date with an approximate time frame of April to late August.
The Forest Management Assistant will perform and participate in forest management operations including, but not limited to, forest stand improvement, invasive plant control, installation of signs and gates, boundary management, and the use of power equipment to maintain roads, trails, and fire lines. Activities may include removing exotic species, conducting species monitoring, using and maintaining tools and equipment, and assisting in prescribed burns. The Forest Management Assistant may conduct basic forest management activities including forest inventory, timber marking, and boundary marking.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- May interact with visitors.
- Works under close or infrequent supervision.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations for extended periods of time in isolated settings, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
- Some overnight and instate travel will be required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner. (e.g. lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, or similar equipment)
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application, driver’s license)
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 forest management activities.
- Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner. (e.g.; lawn mower, chainsaw, tractor, UTV/ATV, two-way radio, etc.)
- Ability to follow instructions from colleagues and work in a team environment.
- PC familiarity, including database knowledge.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.