Ecological Restoration Crew Leader Position – Level 2 2022

Greenfield MA

Description

Land Stewardship, Inc. is seeking a motivated and experienced Level 2 Ecological Restoration Crew Leader (CL) for the 2022 field season. This position includes opportunities for advancement to higher level positions including site supervisor/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, can understand the context of our work (land ethic), and have leadership potential. Preference will be given to those who have 1-3 years of crew work experience in ecological restoration and/or experience in allied fields such as landscape management, agriculture, horticulture, arboriculture, forestry and/or logging. At a minimum, the applicant should be proficient with core equipment such as chain saw, brush saw, string trimmer and backpack sprayer. Education background including a B.A./B.S in natural resources or other related training is 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 on a daily basis 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/or education in a natural resource discipline. 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 string trimmers, 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. 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 April 2022 and end in the Fall of 2022 (December). 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 may be needed during our peak season (August/September). Position requires a 40-hour/week commitment on average (4 days/week). Further Description & Compensation We have developed a three-year work/training program for early career natural resource professionals interested in experientially learning the practice and science of ecological restoration. The following is a general description of our program: Year 1 The ERT 1 position is our entry level crew position and includes our core training in ecological restoration techniques and context, invasive plant identification and management, wetland identification, and chainsaw training. In addition, the ERT 1 will take the first two courses in the Invasive Plant Certification Program offered through UMASS Extension (). The ERT 1 pay scale is $15/hr. - $16/hr. based on experience. Benefits: paid federal holidays, gear allowance, core knowledge/skills training, mileage reimbursement, Society for Ecological Restoration membership. Year 2 The second-year position (ERT 2) builds on the skills, knowledge and experience acquired the first year and takes it to the next level with increased responsibility and accountability through engaging as a crew leader, collecting land management data (gps/photos) and other special projects based on individual interests and career aspirations. Specialized training topics include wetland delineation, native plant identification, advanced invasive plant identification and advanced chainsaw training. Additionally, the ERT 2 will take the next two courses in the Invasive Plant Certification Program offered through UMASS Extension. We encourage ERT 2’s to apply for the Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner In-Training program through Society for Ecological Restoration (). The Level 2 ERT pay scale is $17/hr. - $19/hr. Benefits: Same as Level 1, and includes additional training and opportunities for career development through our mentor program. Year 3 The Level 3 site supervisor/project manager in-training position continues to build on previous years of knowledge and experience and now that you thoroughly understand how to conduct the work itself, you will begin to engage with planning and organizing projects. We train Level 3’s in our gps/gis mapping techniques, proposal preparation, preparing Land Management Records, and ecological restoration monitoring. Our ecological services division also offers other opportunities to engage in permitting, ecological restoration planning, wetland delineation, boundary marking and baseline documentation report preparation The Level 3 pay scale is $19/hr. - $21/hr. Benefits: Same as Level 2, and includes 1 week paid vacation, North American Invasive Species Management Association membership, and opportunities to exhibit and attend several regional conferences such as Society for Ecological Restoration- Northeast Chapter conference, Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions Annual Environmental Conference, and the Massachusetts Land Trust Conference. Timeline This position will remain open until it is filled. Phone interviews will be scheduled in March, and will be followed by a field interview. 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 management, natural areas management/stewardship, wildlife habitat management, and conservation planning. COVID-19 Considerations LSI requires that all employees be fully Covid-19 vaccinated and have the Covid-19 booster prior to starting these positions. Applicants will be asked to disclose their vaccination status. Proof of vaccination status will be required immediately upon hire. Thank you for your interest.