Habitat Restoration Specialist

Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Position Description    

 Invasive Plant Habitat Restoration Specialist (HRS)

Job Category: Full time/40 hours/week.

Location: Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Sherwood, Oregon. Office space and support will be provided by the Refuge.

Line of Responsibility: The HRS reports to the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Refuge Complex (FOR) and supervised by the Executive Director.  The Executive Director will coordinate with refuge staff to determine overall program guidelines and goals. The HRS is directed on a daily basis by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Refuge Biologist and/or Deputy Refuge Manager.

Position Summary: 

The HRS helps implement the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex habitat restoration program and includes fulfilling habitat restoration grant obligations of the FOR. The HRS also coordinates the work of the habitat restoration volunteers.

A considerable portion of the work will be conducted on property owned and managed by the USFWS, and as such, a condition of the contract, the contractor will read and abide to the Ethics Guide for the Department of the Interior Employees.  Violations of the Ethics Guide, Service policy, or Refuge specific regulations/procedures are a violation of the contract and grounds for termination. The HRS will comply with security checks, clearances, and training to gain access to Government owned and operated facilities, equipment, and computer systems.  Access to facilities, equipment, computers, and computer systems will be denied for failure to comply with, or pass, mandatory security checks, training, and/or necessary clearances.

Duration/Pay: Begins May 2025. Duration will be dependent on available funding. Pay will be hourly at $21/hour. Monthly payroll falls at the end of each month. The HRS is grant funded and is dependent on those funds to maintain this position.

Job Tasks:

70% – Outdoor field time assisting and collaborating restoration work, including native plantings, mechanical invasive plant removal, and herbicide application. Must have the capability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds, use shovel and other equipment for restoration work.  

30% – Office time planning and coordinating habitat restoration and maintenance activities, recruiting and coordinating volunteers, administering and managing grant obligations, identifying and applying for grant funding. 

Responsibilities: Habitat Restoration

• Coordinate habitat restoration activities with volunteers (i.e. work parties, internships); including restoration plantings, planting maintenance/repair, and purchase of supplies and materials.
• Assist in determining monthly Second Saturday Work Party projects and coordinate logistics (e.g., transportation, equipment needs) and volunteer recruitment (e.g. flyers, newsletter, email lists, website, Facebook).
• Conducts habitat restoration activities, such as mowing, spraying, disking, and purchasing and installing plants.
• Develop, recruit, and train a volunteer strike team aimed at detecting and treating invasive species. Establish and maintain partnerships with neighbors and organizations in treating invasive species threatening Refuge and adjacent lands.

Biological Program 

• Assist inputting biological survey data into database. Help manage survey database to keep current. Assist in needed surveys.

Habitat and Biological support

• Recruit, train, and manage both adult and youth volunteers for the habitat volunteer program to support items 1 and 2. Includes recruiting, training, scheduling, managing day-to-day activities, tracking volunteer data, and growing the program. Provide input to the existing Refuge volunteer newsletter.
• Provide reports, information and updates about program to Refuge Biology Team as requested and Friends Board of Directors on monthly basis.
• Update and track all restoration grant reporting as needed
• Provide and execute Social Media content as needed.
• Provide general office/administrative support related to program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited, four-year university in environmental science, natural resources, or the natural sciences.
• Minimum one year of experience working or volunteering with natural resources.
• Basic knowledge of concepts, principles and practices of habitat restoration and applying this knowledge to specific field requirements and goals.
• Ability to research, develop and write grant proposals to meet refuge objectives.
• Ability to recruit, train, schedule and supervise volunteers in support of the habitat restoration program.
• An understanding of the missions and principles of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
• Ability to assist with short and long-term planning of the habitat restoration program.
• Understanding background in natural resources, ecology and environmental issues.
• Ability to serve effectively within a team and provide leadership to less experienced volunteers and interns.
• Ability to work independently.
• Experience with Windows computer operating systems, GIS tools, Microsoft Office, Excel, database management, and ArcGIS mapping software.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to attend and travel to meetings in various parts of the region and work evenings or a flexible as necessary. The position will require occasional weekend and evening work and the typical weekly schedule will Monday – Friday, not to exceed 40 hours per week without prior authorization. However, the schedule may change to meet the needs of the program. Willingness to work a flexible work time schedule including some nights and weekends. Minimum of one Saturday per month.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Applicants shall have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Willingness to submit to a federal and/or state background check.
• Meet requirements for funding by USFWS
• Knowledge to obtain USFWS certification for operations of tractor and all-terrain vehicles.
• Knowledge to obtain Oregon state certification for pesticide spraying in treatment of invasive species.

Desired Background:

• Basic knowledge of flora and fauna of the Willamette Valley and relation to conservation efforts.
• Basic knowledge of invasive species and principles of integrated pest management to develop a strike team for detection and treatment of invasive plants.
• Knowledge of the program of the Friends of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge and of habitat restoration efforts of the Refuge.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position requires office and outdoor work.  Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the performance of outdoor work.  The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as to not endanger self, fellow workers, visitors or property.  The incumbent will be required to follow the established Friends’ dress code and policies. Clothing requirements will be provided by FOR and USFWS.

HOURS: Full-time up to 40hrs/week; 5 days/week; generally, Monday – Friday (with occasional weekend and evening work.) including monthly second Saturday Work Parties. 

COMPENSATION: Benefits include paid Federal holidays, vacation time, sick leave and an annual $1500.00 employee development funding. FOR is a member of the U.S. F&WS Youth Corp. HSRs that meet the requirements of the Public Lands Corp may qualify for non-compete hiring status after the completion of 620 hours. This position does not include health or dental insurance.