Restoration Technician (6 months)

Grassland loss is the greatest conservation issue 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 beginning to realize the extent of our once widespread grasslands. To reverse the decline in grassland biodiversity, our response must be rapid and unprecedented in magnitude. This immensely complex and ambitious challenge will require some of America’s brightest and most creative minds in conservation and philanthropy to solve. Are you ready to join the Southeastern Grasslands Institute’s team?

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) received four years of funding from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for our project titled “Last Chance Grasslands: Stabilizing, Restoring, and Reconstructing 2,500 Acres of the Forgotten Grasslands of Central TN.” SGI invites applications for two 6-month Restoration Technician positions to study and restore native grasslands as part of this exciting project. These positions will work up to 37.5 hours per week at $20 per hour. Technicians will be responsible for collecting baseline data from grassland remnants and proposed grassland “reconstruction” sites across a diverse array of private lands in Middle TN, as well as carrying out day-to-day restoration activities, including but not limited to Invasive species treatment, prescribed fire, seed collection, prairie planting, and more. These positions will be located in Clarksville, TN (45 miles from Nashville, TN). Field Technicians will directly report to SGI’s Interior Low Plateau Grasslands Coordinator.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with documenting, classifying, and mapping examples of various grassland habitats on private land in Middle TN.
• Conduct surveys of grassland plant, bird, and pollinator species on private land in Middle TN.
• Implement grassland restoration and reconstruction projects on private land in Middle TN. (e.g., site preparation, invasive species management, herbicide application, seed collection, planting of restoration seed mixes, and more).
• Assist in gathering written, photographic, and GIS data for each project location.
• 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 in the Southeastern United States.
• Knowledge of the Southeastern United States plant, bird, and pollinator species.
• 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 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 various 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

• Experience in grassland restoration and/or land management is strongly preferred.
• Must have excellent organizational and task-management skills.
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to work effectively within a dynamic team and with 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 the program.
• Must be flexible with travel and work schedules.

Position Dates:

May – October 2026, but may be flexible. Interviews will begin in early March.