Habitat Restoration Technician- 3 Month Seasonal

Habitat Restoration Technician- 3 month seasonal

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) Natural Areas Division has been involved in land protection and stewardship since 1956, with the mission to identify, protect, and steward the best remnants of native habitats present in the Lake Erie and upper Ohio River drainage prior to settlement.   

Summary: 

Occupying an ancient, abandoned channel of the Grand River, Mentor Marsh became Ohio’s first State Nature Preserve in 1971. It is one of the largest natural marshes remaining along the Lake Erie shoreline. It is also a registered National Natural Landmark with the National Park Service. At 801 acres, Mentor Marsh is one of the largest natural freshwater marshes protected along the Lake Erie shoreline. It provides critical spawning habitat for Lake Erie fish and is an important refuge and nesting site for waterbirds and migrating songbirds.  

After salt mine tailings were dumped in an adjacent creek, Mentor Marsh became Ohio’s largest stand of the invasive, non-native Common Reed Grass (Phragmites australis). CMNH began a large-scale restoration of Mentor Marsh in 2012. Since then, restoration efforts have included helicopter and drone spraying stands of Phragmites australis and non-native cattail, spot spraying from amphibious vehicles and with backpack sprayers, helicopter seeding and hand planting historically native herbaceous wetland plants, and installing trees and shrubs along the swamp forest edge and uplands surrounding the marsh. 

As a Restoration Technician, you will be employed by Hunter International, the Museum’s stewardship partner, but will be under the direction and supervision of the Museum on a day-to-day basis. You will be a part of a unique approach to stewardship and biodiversity management. This is a three-month grant-funded seasonal position working up to 40 hours/week. This full-time temporary position will run from approximately May 13, 2024 to August 15, 2024.  Exceptions to these dates will be considered for current students or those with extenuating circumstances. These positions are based out of Mentor, OH and will include daily travel via personal vehicles to nearby work sites. The restoration crew uses their personal phones during work hours to track invasive species management and mobile phone stipends will be provided for employees. On-site training will be provided for all essential skills. Housing is not provided. The Restoration Technician, under the direction and supervision of the Mentor Marsh Habitat Restoration Manager, works with contractors and project partners to implement best management practices and the strategic plan for invasive species control and habitat restoration at the 801-acre Mentor Marsh. The desired end goal is a landscape mosaic of native marsh and swamp forest. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accomodation)  

• Assist in the ecological restoration and management of native marsh and swamp forest communities by applying a variety of land management and invasive species management techniques including operating the relevant tools and equipment.
• Assist with the operation of an amphibious utility task vehicle (UTV) with crew and supplies.
• Operates and maintains hand and power tools in working conditions to implement invasive plant management.
• Assist with data collection and entry via monitoring and mapping of invasive plant populations and treatment areas using personal mobile phones.
• Analyze GPS and aerial drone mapping surveys and incorporate into GIS maps to prioritize treatment.
• Assist in plant identification using taxonomic field guides.
• Identify sources on-site, collect, and disseminate seeds and cuttings to restore marsh habitat.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• High school diploma OR GED and 6 months of related experience.
• Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g., hand tools, 4-wheel-drive vehicles, UTV, or similar equipment).
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to work.

Desired Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree or current undergrad pursuing a degree from a four-year college or university with a concentration in Biology, Botany, Restoration Ecology, or a closely related Natural Resources related field.
• Experience or familiarity with taxonomic keys and/or field identification guides for plants and animals.
• Experience with identifying and utilizing different techniques to remove non-native invasive plants.
• Experience in field-work using a variety of hand tools, backpack and tank sprayers, and operating amphibious utility task vehicles.

Other Qualifications: 

• A passion for science, nature, and conservation.
• Familiarity with the local, native flora of Northeast Ohio.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work with and communicate in an interdisciplinary professional team atmosphere. Ensures personal safety and safety of crew by following all safety procedures mandated by state/federal law, CMNH, and the crew leader’s and Restoration Manager’s discretion.
• Ability to exercise initiative and good judgment in anticipating problems before they arise.
• Willingness and desire to learn a variety of land management and invasive species management techniques including how to operate the relevant tools and equipment.
• Ability to lift 45lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Willingness to lift and carry a 25lb backpack for extended periods of time.
• Basic mathematical skills.
• Must be able to provide your own transportation to work sites.
• Willingness to use personal mobile phones for tracking invasives species management and to communicate with colleagues, contractors, and local land owners during the work day.
• Willingness to work in and hike up to 6 miles daily outdoors completing strenuous field work requiring considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain. Willingness to work in semi-remote locations, without immediate access to restrooms facilities, on difficult, hazardous, and physically challenging terrain as well as work in a wetland environment and tolerate the physically demanding conditions typical of northeast Ohio’s natural areas (inclement and variable weather conditions, heat, humidity, poison ivy, and biting and stinging insects).

Work Schedule: Typically a Monday-Thursday 7am to 5pm daytime schedule, with occasional evenings and weekends as agreed upon in advance. Work schedule is partially weather-dependent and will be 30-40 hours per week. 

Pay rate: $17.00/hr 

*Employees will be hired under Hunter International and work under the direction and supervision of the CMNH. Employees will be based out of Mentor, Ohio at the Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve.