he Stewardship Technician performs and participates in preserve operations, maintenance and management. S/he will assist with preserve activities including; fence repair, tree removal, mowing, livestock management, windmill maintenance, building maintenance, and weed control (including herbicide application). The position may also require field data collection and data entry related to research and monitoring projects being conducted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) staff and cooperators. This short-term (full-time) position will require irregular hours and will include extensive outdoor physical labor under adverse conditions. The Stewardship Technician is supervised by the Assistant Preserve Manager, does not supervise other staff, but may supervise volunteers. This seasonal position will run from April 9 – September 28, 2018. This position is based at The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Preserve (rural part of north central Nebraska) but may also be temporarily based at other preserve locations in Nebraska. Optional housing is available.
The Stewardship Technician maintains preserve areas frequented by the visiting public and removes exotic species. S/he maintains tools and equipment and opens and closes preserve to the visiting public.This may include one or more of the following functions:
- Invasive species control, including herbicide application and cutting trees with chainsaws and brush saws.
- Livestock management.
- Construction, repair, and maintenance of fences and other preserve infrastructure.
- Operates and maintains tools and equipment (i.e. tractors, ATVs, UTVs, chainsaws, weedwacker, etc.).
- Tracks and records management and restoration activities using GPS and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- May interact with visitors.
- Works under close or infrequent supervision.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations for long periods of time in isolated settings, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. Lawn mower, chainsaw, tractor, two-way radio, etc.).
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide application, and driver’s license).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to follow instructions from colleagues.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
- Experience in herbicide application.
- Experience working with livestock and fencing.
- Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
- Ability to provide for own transportation when necessary, with mileage reimbursed.