Lead Field Technician

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 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 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. Are you ready to join the Southeastern Grasslands Institutes’s team?

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time Lead Field Technician position to study and restore native grasslands on national parks across the Eastern United States as part of our Grasslands Restoration, Inventory, and Monitoring team. The Lead Field Technician will be responsible for coordinating daily work duties for their team of field technicians, as well as communicating project happenings and needs with SGI’s Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator. The Lead Field Technician will collect baseline data from grassland remnants and proposed grassland “reconstruction” sites at a diverse array of national parks across the Eastern U.S., as well as carrying out restoration and land management work, and collecting post-treatment data from all sites. This position will travel extensively along with two other Field Technicians throughout the year, often working an alternative work schedule to reach the different project areas (up to 90% of time will be spent in the field), with overnight stays and travel expenses covered by grant funds. This position will be remotely based in the Blacksburg and/or Roanoke, Virginia areas. The Lead Field Technician will directly report to SGI’s Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator. 

SGI, affiliated with the Center of Excellence for Field Biology at Austin Peay State University, 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

• Lead all restoration, documenting, classifying, and mapping activities of various grassland habitats in National Parks across the Eastern U.S.
• Conduct surveys of grassland plant, bird, and pollinator species in a diverse array of National Parks across the Eastern U.S.
• Implement grassland restoration and reconstruction projects in National Parks across the Eastern U.S. (ie. site preparation, invasive species management, herbicide application, seed collection, planting of restoration seed mixes, and more).
• Plan weekly fieldwork activities with the Director of Stewardship and Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.
• Coordinate and lead daily project activities for the team of field technicians.
• Communicate project updates and needs with the Director of Stewardship and Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.
• Compile and maintain large, complex datasets.
• 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.
• Read relevant materials and protocols.
• Participate in regular team meetings and SGI staff meetings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of grassland community types of the Southeastern United States.
• Knowledge of plant, bird, and pollinator species of the Southeastern United States.
• Knowledge of grassland restoration and reconstruction practices.
• Knowledge of invasive species management.
• Ability to use a GPS device and GIS software.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to challenges.
• Ability to confidently lead and work as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as working 8 days on followed by 6 days off,  beginning work at 5 am to avoid heat-related issues, or occasionally working late hours on time-sensitive needs.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and experience driving a wide variety of vehicles and ATVs, including 4WD.
• 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 camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days, if necessary.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. or B.A. degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Natural Resources or related field.
• One-two years experience in grassland restoration or project management.
• Experience monitoring vegetation, grassland birds, and/or pollinators of eastern United States is strongly preferred.
• Must have excellent organizational and task-management skills.
• Must have excellent communication and 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.
• Must be flexible with travel and work schedules.