The Allegheny Highlands Science Technician performs and participates in forest restoration operations, maintenance and management. The Science Technician contributes to important ecological management and monitoring goals on TNC and partner lands.
The Allegheny Highlands Science Technician maintains preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and performs land management activities. The Technician will assist with habitat composition, fire effects and avian community monitoring within the 18,000-acre Warm Springs Mountain Restoration Project located in the Allegheny Highlands of western Virginia.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Project activities will include: vegetation sampling, photographic monitoring, and avian point counts, including preparation and maintenance of monitoring equipment, management of data forms and coordination of sampling logistics.
- May be involved with ecological management and stewardship activities such as: fire line preparation, mechanical thinning of trees and shrubs, boundary marking, trail maintenance, invasive species control and land asset monitoring.
- Assist in leading a 4-person crew of high school and college aged interns as a part of the Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF) program.
- Assist partner agencies with data entry into a FEAT and Firemon and Excel database/workbook.
- Supervises no staff, but may help plan and direct preserve work groups, including staff 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.
- May require long hours in isolated settings.
- Makes day to day decisions as delegated by supervisor.
- May work under infrequent supervision.
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 in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. Lawn mower, chainsaw, UTV, ATV or OHV, two-way radio, or similar equipment).
- Experience working in a team environment.
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide or pesticide application).
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 1 - 2 years’ experience in land management or related field.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
- Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software
- Experience identifying native trees and shrubs of the eastern U.S. preferred.
- Experience identifying eastern U.S. forest birds by sight and sound.
- Proficiency with GPS strongly preferred.
- Ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means.
- Ability to obtain driver’s license and maintain a good driving record.
- Ability to follow instructions from colleagues/coworkers/team members.
- PC and/or mobile device familiarity, including database knowledge or understanding.
$17.00 per hour; 35 hours/week approx. 4 months in duration beginning May 2018, few benefits