Restoration Field Technician

Start and End Dates: May 26th, 2026 to October 30th, 2026

Reports to: Restoration Research Associate and the Climate Adaptation Scientist

Compensation: These temporary positions offer an hourly rate of $18.50, based on a 40-hour work week.  In addition to the hourly wages, housing is provided. Partial benefits include Paid Time Off (PTO) and access to professional development opportunities. 

Application Deadline: January 16th, 2026

Restoration Field Technicians will work on a variety of projects associated with three of the largest habitat restoration projects in Acadia National Park, including restorations in Great Meadow, Bass Harbor Marsh, and on mountain summits. Technicians will work closely with Schoodic Institute scientists and National Park Service staff to remove invasive species, plant native shrubs, restore soil and plants on mountain summits, and monitor multiple ongoing experiments associated with the restorations. Technicians are responsible for field data collection, data management, and communication with the public. These positions are for early-career professionals just entering the workforce who want to work across multiple ecosystems, with diverse plants, and use varied field skills for data collection and management.

Qualified applicants enthusiastically embrace working in challenging outdoor conditions, learning on the go, working in small teams and with a diversity of people, and efficiently collecting and recording field data. Throughout the term of the position, there will be opportunities to gain and sharpen research skills, including the opportunity to present a scientific poster at the Acadia National Park Science Symposium on a topic of interest associated with their work. Technicians will also have multiple opportunities to interact with many other interns, technicians, fellows, and staff at Schoodic Institute and the National Park Service. 

Duties once trained:

• Follow established, standardized field procedures
• Remove invasive species by hand pulling, cutting, and applying herbicide
• Plant native shrubs and graminoids following detailed scientific protocols
• Restore soil and native seeds to restoration sites on mountain summits
• Record data on field tablets using multiple applications, such as ArcGIS Field Maps
• Monitor restoration and experimental plots, including identifying native and invasive plants
• Lead community volunteer efforts, such as guiding groups carrying soil to restoration sites on mountain summits
• Communicate with the public about the restoration projects
• Operate and maintain monitoring equipment,
• Work in a variety of conditions (e.g., weather, terrain, diverse (potentially buggy) habitats),
• Carry, move, and lift supplies (pack weighing up to 30 lbs.) to field sites (through, over, and in remote and uneven terrain),
• Follow safety and field operations policy and procedures,
• Other duties for Schoodic Institute may be assigned.

Preferred Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field of science with a graduation date within the past 3 years,
• Plant identification knowledge (especially wetland or subalpine plants in the northeast),
• Ecology-related field work experience,
• Experience hiking and navigating (with maps, compass, and/or GPS),
• Ability to communicate effectively with the general public in formal and informal settings.

Employment Details:

This is a full-time, seasonal, entry-level position (40 hours per week) that includes comprehensive training for all primary responsibilities. Daily and weekly work schedules may vary based on project needs. Workdays could be up to 12 hours, longer days will be balanced within the same week. Applicants must be physically capable of hiking up to 5 miles with a  1,000-foot elevation gain while carrying a moderately heavy pack. A valid driver’s license is required to operate Schoodic Institute field vehicles to complete work assignments. 

Location:

The Field Technicians will work primarily in Great Meadow, Bass Harbor Marsh, and on mountain summits in the Mount Desert Island portion of Acadia National Park.

Residence is required and provided on the Schoodic Institute campus (or National Park Service Housing on Mount Desert Island). Our standard arrangement is to place all staff in single-occupancy bedrooms within shared apartments. Our preference and intention are to maintain single occupancy. In extremely rare, unforeseen circumstances or emergencies, a temporary, short-term need for double-occupancy (in two-bed bedrooms) may be required.

Note that the nearest city with full services, Ellsworth, is a 45-minute drive away from the Schoodic Institute campus. Although not required, personal transportation is highly recommended. 

About Schoodic Institute: 

Established in 2004, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and Acadia National Park’s primary partner in science and education. Based at the largest of 17 National Park Service Research Learning Centers in Winter Harbor, Maine, in Wabanaki homeland, Schoodic Institute’s focus is understanding environmental change taking place in Acadia and beyond, and helping managers of parks, other protected areas, and natural resources respond and adapt to change while engaging people of all ages in science.  Schoodic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.