The Preserve Management Assistant will travel throughout the Prairie Forest Border Ecoregion in central and southeast Minnesota participating in preserve management activities and is based out of Cushing, MN. This position runs April 9, 2019 – September 30, 2019. There are similar short-term positions available in MN, SD and ND. Please search by state to find other such positions.
The PMA will work across central and southeast Minnesota. They will assist with leading volunteers, seasonal staff and interns. They will participate preserve management tasks including prescribed burning activities, removal and chemical treatment of exotic species, tool and equipment maintenance, seed harvest, and monitoring and data collection. This may also include participation in wild land fire suppression activities in partnership with other non-profits, local fire departments, and local, state and federal agencies, either as a TNC employee, or as a volunteer or short term employee of the partner entity (such as an administratively determined, short term federal employee). More detailed information follows.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Assist in directing and interacting with Student Conservation Association (SCA) interns, Conservation Corps Minnesota (CCM) crews, and private contractors on various projects.
- Assist with maintaining public lands including state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) and federally-owned Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA's), as well as TNC preserves and other protected lands.
- Prescribed burn preparation, implementation, and post-fire monitoring with TNC, MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) staff.
- Remove and chemically treat herbaceous and woody exotic species.
- Maintain tools and equipment.
- Monitor and record data entries for various logs, photo points, and vegetation research monitoring.
- Post and sign properties.
- Seed harvest.
- Will perform other preserve management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire.
- Works in a high stress team environment.
- Works under close supervision.
- Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Must be qualified as a Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2), including Introduction to ICS (I-100), Human Factors on the Fire line (L-180), Introduction to Wild Land Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighting Training (S-130), and one training burn serving under the supervision of a qualified FFT2. See http://www.tncfiremanual.org/firefighter.htm
- Must achieve physical fitness standard as determined by local Fire Program Manager and the TNC Fire Manual.
- Experience operating various types of equipment.
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, and driver’s license).
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multicultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
- 6 months -1 year of related experience.
- All TNC staff actively participating on a prescribed burn must be qualified as a FFT2. Qualified as or able to meet qualifications for FFT2, including Introduction to ICS (I-100), Human Factors on the Fireline (L-180), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighting Training (S-130), National Incident Management System (IS-700), and one training burn serving under the supervision of a qualified FFT2. See http://www.tncfiremanual.org/firefighter.htm
- Ability to pass US Forest Service work capacity test at arduous level (3 mile walk with 45 lb. pack in 45 minutes).
- Experience recognizing plant and animal species in Minnesota.
- Experience performing physical work.
- Ability to operate and maintain various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. engine, pumps, ATV, brush-cutter, chainsaw, two-way radio).
- Working knowledge of handheld GPS units.
- Ability and willingness to follow instructions from colleagues.
- Valid driver’s license with a good driving record, and able to pass the DOT federal medical exam (https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/391.41)
- Qualified or able to obtain Minnesota Pesticide Applicator license.
This position pays $12.50 to $15.50 per hour plus housing for duration of employment