The Door Peninsula Coastal Wetlands Ramsar Site, located in northern Door County Wisconsin, is an 11,443-acre wetland complex designated as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention in 2015. The site comprises lands and waters holding a diversity of high quality regionally- and globally-significant wetland communities including Great Lakes ridge and swale, northern wet-mesic forest, northern sedge meadow, and Great Lakes alkaline shoreline among others. These coastal wetlands provide critical breeding and migratory habitat for an abundance of fish, mammals, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates. The site is comprised of land under permanent conservation ownership by The Nature Conservancy and five additional partner organizations and agencies. The Conservancy is looking for three seasonal employees (May through October) to serve on a restoration crew that will work to inventory and control invasive species infestations across partner boundaries within the Door Peninsula Coastal Wetlands Ramsar Site.
Ramsar Wetland Restoration Crew Members will focus on land management, enhancement and restoration activities across the 11,443-acre Door Peninsula Coastal Wetlands Ramsar Site. This may include one or more of the following functions:
- Control priority invasive plant infestations that threaten coastal wetland habitats. Removal may include mechanical and chemical control methods. Crew members will work under the supervision of a Ramsar Wetland Restoration Crew Leader and the Door Peninsula Land Steward positions. The crew will work independently in the field, though may periodically work with other staff and volunteers.
- Establish and monitor plots to evaluate effectiveness of invasive species treatments and native plant response.
- Inventory and mapping of new invasive plant populations within the Door Peninsula Coastal Wetlands Ramsar Site. Inventory will require the use of a handheld GPS unit or tablet and detailed note-taking.
- Assist with monitoring on properties owned by The Nature Conservancy to assess issues such as boundary encroachment, preserve overuse, and vandalism. Keep detailed records on date of monitoring and condition of property for later reporting.
- Maintains tools and equipment necessary to perform the above functions, and maintains records of all land management actions and herbicide applications.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Supervises no staff, but may help plan and direct 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.
- May require long hours in isolated settings.
- Ability to follow instructions for required tasks and results expected.
- May work under varying levels of supervision.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience recognizing plant and animal species.
- Experience operating various types of equipment.
- Experience working in a team environment.
- Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required. (e.g. First Aid, CPR, herbicide application, and driver’s license).
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- BA/BS or Associate’s degree in natural resource management, environmental studies, biology, land management, scientific research, or related field OR 1-2 yeas training in science-related or land management field.
- Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems, especially plant or invasive species knowledge.
- Experience or willingness to learn to apply herbicides and operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (i.e. brush mower, chainsaw, UTV, etc.). Necessary training will be provided.
- Ability to follow instructions from colleagues.
- Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- PC familiarity, including database and ArcGIS spatial mapping knowledge, preferred.
- Ability to provide a variety of information through written, spoken and visual means to staff and partners. Strong interpersonal skills favored for interaction with staff, partner organizations, researchers, volunteers and general members of the public.