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 flexible start date and approximate time frame of May 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 and volunteers.
- 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.
- 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 have valid driver’s license.
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide/pesticide application).
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Access to a personal vehicle.
- Ability to follow instructions from colleagues and work in a team environment.
- Interest and ability to communicate and work within a rural area.
- Ability to interact with visitors and volunteers to convey basic project information.
- Experience and interest in natural areas restoration, ecology, or other natural resource field.
- Ability to safely use herbicides to control invasive plant species.
- Ability to safely use and maintain tools and equipment, including chainsaw, power, and construction tools.
- Ability to safely use vehicles such as trucks, trailers, UTV/ATVs, and mowers.
- Knowledge of Midwest flora and fauna.
- Ability to keep organized and accurate records and work efficiently without supervision.
- Ability to perform physical work, oftentimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
- PC familiarity, including database knowledge.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.