Ecological Restoration Tech

Greenfield MA

Description

Experienced Ecological Restoration Technician Position – Level 2 Spring 2021 Land Stewardship, Inc. is seeking a motivated and experienced Level 2 Ecological Restoration Technician (ERT) for the 2021 field season. This position includes opportunities for advancement to higher level positions including crew leader, site supervisor and project manager. Please note that this position requires experience and is not an entry level position. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate through their previous experiences that they are physically fit, have a strong work ethic, are able to identify native and invasive plants of the northeast US and can understand the context of our work. Preference will be given to those who have 1-3 years of verifiable work experience in ecological restoration contracting, landscape management, farming, horticulture, arboriculture, forestry or logging. The applicant should be proficient with core equipment such as chain saw, brush saw, weed whacker and backpack sprayer. Education background including a B.A./B.S in natural resources or other related training is strongly preferred. The Level 2 ERT will work primarily on invasive plant management projects at sites throughout New England. The successful applicant will be responsible for implementing targeted manual, mechanical and chemical applications. The ERT position involves the use of sensitive-area herbicides along with strenuous physical labor under a variety of challenging conditions. Other restoration activities will include planting/seeding native species, brush/vegetation removal, chain-saw work and streambank stabilization. Most project sites are within a 2-hour drive of our headquarters in the northern Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. The ERT must have or be able to obtain Massachusetts pesticide applicators license; additional state licenses will also be required. A 2-day pesticide applicator training course precedes the Massachusetts pesticide applicator license exam. Qualifications The successful applicant will have: 1. Experience in natural resources/landscape management and BS degree education in a natural resource discipline strongly preferred. Knowledge of plant identification (both native and non-native vegetation) and their related natural communities. Crew work requires that each ERT quickly and correctly identify the target invasive plants and efficiently administer appropriate techniques. 2. Ability to practice the safe, targeted and judicious use of herbicides for invasive species management in natural areas. The applicant will be required to study for and pass pesticide applicator tests in all the states in which he or she will work. The applicant will also be required to demonstrate that she or he can perform a targeted herbicide application to a specific invasive plant species without causing damage to non-target native species. 3. Good spatial and navigational awareness in forest, wetland and open environments. The ERT needs to be able to navigate from parking/staging area to work areas which can be a long distance along trails, woods roads or through brambles. Crews frequently walk lanes through the landscape as a group of 4 or more. ERT must demonstrate that they can successfully manage their “line” to our project standards and expectations. We will be looking for evidence that the applicant has some background navigating through natural areas using map, compass and/or GPS. 4. Ability to take direction, work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines. The ERT will be under the direction of our project managers, site supervisor and crew leaders, and must be able to accept constructive criticism in order to improve individual performance for the benefit of our company and our project outcomes. 5. Ability to perform tasks that require strenuous physical exertion in extreme weather conditions that may expose the ERT to ticks, mosquitoes and poison ivy. LSI takes outdoor hazards very seriously and provides crew with materials to mitigate risks in the field (first aid, insect repellant, sunblock, poison ivy skin cleaners, etc.). We require that the ERT take adequate precautions to prevent exposure and stay healthy. Applicants should note that poison ivy exposure is constant and a reasonable level of tolerance for poison ivy is expected for the position. We work in hot and humid conditions during the summer months. 6. Experience with safe and efficient operation and maintenance of mechanized equipment. Applicants must demonstrate safe operation and experience with mechanized equipment such as weed whackers, chippers, brush saws, augers and chainsaws. The ERT will also need to be safety conscious for work in areas where utility vehicles, ATV’s, skid steers, tractors and construction equipment are in use. 7. Rock solid communicator. Timely communications via text, email and phone is very important to us. In addition, ERT 2 will eventually be expected to collect daily project specific management data in the field using gps, camera and text information. This data is very important to our projects and we expect the ERT 2 to be organized, detailed/thorough and timely with this responsibility if they are to be successful in their position. Terms of Employment Positions will begin in May 2021 and end in the fall of 2021. Typical work day begins at 7 am, and generally involves long, strenuous field days. Occasional overnight travel will be required. Some weekend time and overtime will be required during our peak season (August/September). Position requires a 40-hour/week commitment on average (4 days/week). Compensation: Year 1 The Level 2 ERT pay scale begins at $15/hr. and, pending a performance evaluation, leads directly to a crew leader position with a rate of $16/hr. Benefits: paid holidays, gear allowance, mileage reimbursement, Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) membership, and individualized opportunities/encouragement for career development such as Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner In Training (CERPIT) through SER. Year 2 The second-year site supervisor and project manager pay scales are $17 - $20/hr. and provide additional benefits. Timeline This position will remain open until it is filled. Phone interviews will be scheduled and followed by a field interview. How to apply: Send cover letter email expressing your interest in the position along with your resume attached to: [email protected] Please visit our website for more information: www.landstewardshipinc.com LSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LSI is an ecological restoration consulting and contracting company based in the northern Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Our company is focused on ecological restoration, invasive species control, natural areas management/stewardship, wildlife habitat management, and conservation planning. Thank you for your interest.