Regenerative Landscaping Field Technician

Employment Type: Part-Time, Independent Contractor 

Reports to: Owner (Tea Povolny) 

Compensation Rate: starting at $15/hour 

Position Overview 

EcoLogic is a queer, woman owned organization that specializes in regenerative naturescape services including manual invasive plant removal, stormwater run-off mitigation, erosion control, soil remediation, and habitat expansion. Ecologic aims to change the culture around land management by demonstrating the benefit of a low-impact, manual approach to removing non-native plant species, which allows native flora and fauna to re-inhabit the landscapes they belong to. This native habitat expansion is achieved through partnerships with residents around Atlanta starting in their own backyards, to partnerships with public greenspaces. EcoLogic Field Technicians are essential in carrying out the mission of EcoLogic’s work, both through tangible field work and through stewardship of EcoLogic’s ethos and techniques. This Field Technician position is part-time (offering 10-25 hours/week) and is compensated at a starting rate of $15.00/hour. 

Ecologic believes that recruitment and employment should reflect the society we live in, including people of color, indigenous peoples, women, LGBTQ people and people from working class backgrounds. Because we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.  

Responsibilities  

• Invasive plant species removal using of hand tools – species include Wisteria, English ivy, Privet, Bamboo, Nandina, Mahonia, Asian Holly, etc.
• Earthwork – digging swales and berms, creating terraces, installing hügelkultur and rain gardens, trenching
• Habitat management – tree cleaning, pruning, debris processing and organization, mulching, native plant installation
• Plant Care – propagate and maintain native plants in the EcoLogic Nursery

We are looking for someone who loves:  

• Nature in all her elements and forms including the harsher ones.
• Working with their hands and potentially exposing themselves to insects, brambles, snakes, and Poison Ivy.
• A genuine interest and curiosity for native plants and habitat regeneration.

Qualifications 

• Available 10-25 hours (2-5 days) per week, Monday through Friday (occasional Saturday sites).
• Access to reliable transportation to and from work sites in the Atlanta area.
• Good stamina, physical health, and an understanding of proper body mechanics (Ergonomics).
• Comfortable in a 100% field work environment in varying weather conditions.
• Prior skill working with hand tools or plant identification in the Piedmont region of the Southeast US is a distinct qualification advantage. Regardless of prior knowledge or education, a readiness to learn on the job is required.
• Comfortable performing strenuous physical labor for up to 5 hours at a time on a daily basis.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently as well as with a group.
• Able to work and be trusted with minimal supervision once fully trained.
• Comfortable in a culturally diverse work environment.