Grasslands Field Technician

Grasslands Field Technician Position Summary

Grassland loss is the single greatest conservation issue currently 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 Southern 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 realizing how extensive our grasslands used to be. If we want to reverse the tide of grassland biodiversity loss, our response must be rapid as well as unparalleled in its magnitude. This is an immensely complex and ambitious challenge that will take some of the brightest and most creative minds in American conservation and philanthropy to solve. The Southeastern Grasslands Institute formed in 2017 to provide leadership in grassland biodiversity conservation across a 24-state region of the eastern U.S. Are you ready to join the SGI team?

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for two seasonal Field Technician positions: one based in Little Rock, Arkansas and one based in Clarksville, Tennessee ($20/hour for 37.5 hours/week, for 5 months). These positions will be responsible for conducting plant and pollinator surveys and mapping habitats across the Southeastern United States with a team consisting of an Ecologist and Biologist. The Field Technicians are expected to spend 70-90% of their time in the field and 10-30% in indoor facilities to perform data management and other activities. Frequent travel (with the ecologist and biologist) will be expected to reach the different project areas with possible overnight stays with travel expenses being covered through grant funds. Working from home will be possible for a few specific, desk-based tasks. These positions will report to SGI’s Chief Conservation Officer (Little Rock, AR) and Director of Stewardship (Clarksville, TN). 

SGI is a young and dynamic organization where we celebrate, support and strive to promote diversity, equality and inclusion, and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist team Ecologist with documenting, classifying and mapping examples of known grassland habitats of various types at a variety of sites across the SGI focal region.
• Assist team Biologist with documenting, classifying and surveying for grassland plant and pollinator species at a variety of sites across the SGI focal region.
• Plan weekly fieldwork activities with the field team members and supervisor.
• Assist in GIS mapping exercises.
• Assist with the preparation of research/collection permits as needed for site access and sampling.
• Collect and maintain data.
• Assist team Ecologist and Biologist in gathering written, photographic, and GIS content for each project location.
• Collect and prepare herbarium and other specimens from project sites.
• Communicate project updates and needs with other field team members and supervisor.
• Read relevant materials and protocols.
• Participate in regular team meetings and occasional SGI staff meetings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the different grassland natural community types of the Southeastern United States.
• Knowledge of plant and pollinator species of the Southeastern United States.
• Ability to accurately use a GPS device.
• Able to learn quickly and adapt to challenges.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work in a variety of outdoor and indoor settings with a team.
• Must be able to hike over rugged terrain and a variety of landscapes (wetlands, forests, grasslands, rugged hills, slopes, etc.).
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing environmental conditions, including hot temperatures, independently in remote places, or as part of a team.
• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 am to avoid heat-related issues, or occasionally working late hours on time-sensitive needs such as project management or report preparation.
• Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days, if necessary.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and prefer someone to have experience driving a wide variety of vehicles and ATVs, including 4WD.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a B.S. or B.A. degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Natural Resources or related field or 1-2 years of related experience.
• Must have experience in identifying eastern North American grassland, wetland, and woodland plants.
• Familiar with the natural history, ecology, and vegetation of eastern North America.
• Must have good communication skills. This includes writing clearly and concisely, responding to emails and phone calls in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of and prior experience in restoration activities is preferred.
• Excellent organizational and task-management skills including maintaining accurate and detailed data records.
• Must have good interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate and work effectively within a dynamic team and a wide variety of people.
• Comes prepared with a good attitude and willingness to learn.
• Strong commitment to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are considered throughout all aspects of the program.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter via email to theo.witsell@segrasslands.org AND jeremy.french@segrasslands.org with Grassland Technician in the subject line.