Field Technician

Position SummaryGrassland loss is the greatest conservation issue facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southeastern grasslands are nearly extinct, and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southeastern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. What will the next 25 years bring? As a conservation community, we are only now beginning to realize the extent of our once widespread grasslands. To reverse the decline in grassland biodiversity, our response must be rapid and unprecedented in magnitude. This immensely complex and ambitious challenge will take some of the brightest and most creative minds in American conservation and philanthropy to solve. Are you ready to join the Southeastern Grasslands Institute’s team?

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for one seasonal Restoration Technician position to restore native grassland ecosystems throughout Middle Tennessee. This hands-on, field-based role involves invasive species control, seed collection, prescribed fire implementation, and other restoration activities under the oversight and training of the restoration team. SGI is especially seeking candidates with knowledge of, or strong connections to, Indigenous communities. A key part of this role is helping to reintroduce Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous land stewardship practices into our restoration work. The position is located in Clarksville, TN (45 miles from Nashville, TN). This is a six-month position starting at $20 per hour for 37.5 hours per week. The Restoration Technician will receive daily direction from a Lead Restoration Technician, working as an integral part of the restoration program. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement grassland restoration and reconstruction projects on private and public land in Middle TN (i.e., site preparation, invasive species management, herbicide application, seed collection, planting of restoration seed mixes, and more).
• Communicate regularly with the Lead Restoration Technician to report progress, challenges, and resource needs.
• Assist in gathering written, photographic, and GIS data for each project location.
• Assist with preparing maps using GIS software.
• Collect plant samples for herbarium accession and other specimens from project sites.
• Participate in regular team meetings and SGI staff meetings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Willingness to learn grassland community types of the Southeastern United States.
• Willingness to learn grassland restoration and reconstruction practices.
• Willingness to learn invasive species management.
• Willingness to learn to use a GPS device and GIS software.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to challenges.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Willingness to share or learn Indigenous land stewardship practices.

Physical Requirements

• Must have a valid driver’s license and experience driving a wide variety of vehicles and ATVs, including 4WD is strongly preferred.
• Must be able to hike over rugged terrain in a variety of landscapes (grasslands, wetlands, rugged hills, slopes, etc.)
• Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing environmental conditions, including hot temperatures, buggy conditions, and rain.
• Willingness to wear a backpack sprayer daily for invasive species control.
• Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days, if necessary.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Experience in ecological restoration, land stewardship, or related work is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity or experience working with Indigenous communities of the Southeast is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn, work hard, and engage in physical fieldwork.

Position Dates:

April 2026-September 2026 (may be flexible). Interviews will begin in late February.