Natural Areas Technician

Responsibilities:   

• Manually remove invasive plant species from Township parks, preserves, and pathways.
• Maintain existing trails and construct new trails.
• Support Scio Outside programming and the Township’s Parks, Preserves, and Pathways Community Engagement Program.
• Maintain property cleanliness by picking up litter and emptying bins.
• Conduct a small-scale research project in the area of your choice (i.e. botany, birds, butterflies, bats, etc.).

 Qualifications:  

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to identify common SE Michigan invasive species.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and hike over undeveloped terrain for 3 miles.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork with minimal supervision.
• Ability to perform manual labor, such as trail construction and maintenance, in all weather conditions.
• Experience safely using hand tools (shovel, rake, pruners, loppers, hand saw, hoe, mattock, etc.).  urrently hold or is able to obtain Michigan Pesticide License within 30 days of hire.
• Experience safely using power tools and riding mower.
• Strong communication skills.
• Teaching/ community engagement experience.
• Be able to work weekdays and occasional weekends.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: 

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal outdoor setting and safely use hand tools. Some office setting and use of standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a VDT screen and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone. Duties may require an employee to exert up to 30 pounds of force, or a minor amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The noise level in the outdoor and office work environment can range from quiet to loud.