Restoration Technician III

The Coos Watershed Association (Association) is seeking a Restoration Technician III to join the team!

The Association is seeking a qualified professional to join our dynamic team and fill the Restoration Technician III position. This is a regular, hourly, full-time, non-exempt position. The Restoration Technician III will work with public and private landowners to implement noxious weed control, plant native plants, assist in the operation of the native plant nursery, conduct vegetation monitoring, and participate in the restoration crew as needed. The Restoration Technician III will promote and maintain positive relationships with private landowners, public agencies, conservation organizations, foundations, and local, state, and federal government agencies. The Restoration Technician III will work up to 40 hours per week. This is a grant-funded position.

About the Association: The Coos Watershed Association (Association) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was established in 1994 by a diverse group of stakeholders with a mission to support environmental integrity and economic stability within the Coos watershed by increasing community capacity to develop, test, promote, and implement management practices in the interests of watershed health. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors and managed by the Executive Director. To learn more about our work, please visit our website: www.cooswatershed.org.

Why this Job: This is your chance to be a part of an organization focused on the betterment of the community. The Association creates a local, nongovernmental network and funding resources so that landowners can easily communicate their issues and opportunities and explore ideas and techniques for land management and watershed health. The Association takes pride in its commitment to diversity and inclusion among its diverse team of program staff. We embrace and value differences in our culture, education, experience, physical ability, and unique perspectives in our workplace. We invite applications from qualified candidates who share our commitment to serving our community.

Essential functions: The essential functions of this position require prioritizing and completing all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner, adjusting for changing priorities and availability of resources, and demonstrating initiative in identifying future project opportunities. These duties are a representative example of position expectations; actual duties assigned may vary and change depending on funding and Association needs.

• Conduct weed management in conjunction with CoosWA’s restoration program. Hold an active herbicide applicator license for the state of Oregon and complete the necessary training to keep an applicator’s license up to date. Implement best management practices, including proper safety and documentation procedures, when applying herbicide.
• Help facilitate native plant nursery management with direction from the Plants Program Manager. This includes, but is not limited to, duties such as implementing nursery best management practices, maintaining plant inventory, ordering plants, watering, propagating, and heeling in plants, collecting plant material, weeding, assisting with infrastructure improvements, groundskeeping, and administrative duties as assigned.
• Collect and process seed from native species for use in restoration projects.
• Work out in the field with the Restoration Crew as needed. This includes duties such as planting, fencing, site preparation, erosion control work, and invasive species removal. This position may occasionally be asked to lead crew activities.
• Conduct vegetation monitoring activities. This includes duties such as data collection, management, analysis, and report writing.
• Develop outreach materials, present to interested stakeholders, and engage the public on noxious weed control and native plant awareness.
• As needed, supervise, mentor, and support a summer youth work crew under the supervision of the Restoration Project & Crew Manager and Restoration Crew Lead.
• Participate in board activities as requested.
• Actively participate in staff and other team meetings.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with other staff, supervisors, the board, and partners.
• Create and maintain positive relationships with landowners and other members of the Coos Watershed community.
• Maintain a team player mentality and pitch in as needed to help ensure all aspects of the Association’s work are successful.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Years of experience can substitute for education and coursework. Typical qualifications would be:

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalency, or 2+ years of experience in natural resource work

Required Qualifications:

• One year of directly related work experience.
• An ODA Commercial Pesticide Applicator license, with an Agriculture Category certification, is strongly desired. If the applicant does not have an applicator license, they will be required to apply for one within 60 days of employment.
• Strong knowledge of native and invasive plant species in the Pacific Northwest
• Strong knowledge of restoration ecology and the conventional practices of that process, such as native revegetation, integrated pest management, and management of hydrologic regimes
• Ability to calculate ratios and percentages for spray calibration with a high degree of accuracy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using GIS software and GPS equipment for field data collection.
• Ability to work independently and safely in the field, prioritize work, execute tasks, and meet project timelines with minimal supervision.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to be productive in a collaborative work environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to maintain effective, professional, and collaborative relationships with staff, board, funders, and project partners.
• Excellent ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on project needs and perform field work in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, and seasonal fluctuations.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and carry required field equipment while walking across uneven terrain and on wet, muddy, slippery, steep, and/or unstable ground surfaces and hazardous stream substrates under a variety of seasonal weather and tidal conditions.
• Valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and access to a reliable vehicle for travel to varying project sites throughout the Coos Bay area.
• Safety conscious, particularly as it pertains to the handling and application of herbicides.
• A positive attitude with a flexible approach to work and a willingness to take on new projects or tasks as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners and build consensus among individuals with differing interests.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPR and first aid certification.
• Experience operating power tools and off-road vehicles.
• Possess an Oregon ATV Safety Card
• Experience with the collection and entry of data
• Experience working on field research or monitoring projects; work in the tidal zone and/or agricultural setting a plus.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to adapt to changing field conditions while working independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the people, values, and current conservation issues of the region.

Supervision: The Restoration Technician III reports to the Plants Program Manager. This position also works, as needed, with the Restoration Project and Crew Manager to support and supervise seasonal crews. 

Work Week: The Association’s office is generally open during normal business hours of 8:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, although our work hours span from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and may include nights and weekends, with some schedule flexibility available with approval. The employee’s presence may be required at designated internal and external meetings even if they fall outside your normal workday schedule. 

Working Conditions: The work involves indoor office-type work, and outdoor work, including some strenuous physical exertion such as lifting objects weighing more than 50 pounds and walking with a backpack sprayer for extended periods of time while also safely traversing rough terrain. The employee may be exposed to a variety of potential hazards associated with working near water, traffic, and working with and around chemicals. The employee, on occasion, will be required to traverse uneven terrain, up to 10 miles per day, along with the ability to drive an ATV. Employees must be able to adjust to a variable work schedule based on project needs (i.e., early mornings, long hours, seasonal fluctuations, etc.) and the ability to work in varied work environments and conditions (i.e., cold temperatures, hot temperatures, windy, wet, dry, etc.)

The above is not meant to be all-inclusive, and requirements may change according to the demands of this position. Nothing in this description restricts the Association’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Job descriptions may occasionally be updated, as necessary, to reflect evolving business needs.

As a community-based organization with a specific geographical focus, we recognize the value of local knowledge and community connections and are committed to specifically growing the local workforce that will support the health of the Coos Watershed. While all qualified applicants will be considered, preference may be given to candidates who reside within or have strong ties to the local service area.

Coos Watershed Association is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees are respected, valued, and able to contribute their best work. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.