The Conservation Technician will be based at the Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands Office which is located on the 8,400-acre Kankakee Sands preserve in northwest Indiana. The preserve is part of the larger Kankakee Sands Macrosite, a 30,000-acre prairie and savanna complex, that is home to over 7,000 acres of planted prairie and TNC’s newest bison herd established in 2016. The Conservation Technician will participate in preserve operations and lead work teams to ensure coordination, community support, and implementation of preserve management plans. They will become a member of our Fire and Bison programs and assist with the day-to-day activities of both the prairie and bison herd.
This is a full-time position with a competitive benefits package and a starting salary of $20.77 an hour.
The Conservation Technician will assist with all aspects of preserve management, including the development and coordination of conservation programs, maintaining preserve areas frequented by the visiting public, removing exotic species and/or monitor and participate in research, maintaining and operating heavy machinery, opening and closing the preserve to the visiting public. They will also assist with our prescribed fire and bison management programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
- Financial responsibility may include working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget development.
- Networks with diverse groups, including land owners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members, and the public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.
- May work under minimal and/or distant supervision; may make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- 1-year related experience in ecological land management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience operating and/or repairing various types of equipment and machinery including tractors.
- Experience with natural systems.
- Experience in ecological land management principles.
- Ability to obtain Wildland Firefighter Type II (FFT2) qualification and pass the moderate pack test (2 mile walk with a 25lb pack in 30 min or under).
- Must have a valid driver's license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Proficient in the operation of tractors, skid steers, and various attachments.
- 1 – 2 years related experience in land stewardship and ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- National Wildfire Coordinating Group Wildland Firefighter Type I (FFT1) qualified.
- Experience with grazing infrastructure (fencing, watering systems, corrals).
- Some experience managing volunteers or entry level staff.
- Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
- Native seed collection and processing experience.
- Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
- Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers).
- Communicates clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.