Shared Resources Technician

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Shared Resources Technician will primarily implement restoration and monitoring activities as part of the Shared Resources Team in the southern Salish Prairies around Olympia and Rochester. The team will support partners and projects that further conservation and recovery of listed and other rare species and their habitats. This position may assist and participate with other programs and is expected to contribute to the overall growth and development of the organization. The Technician will primarily be responsible for implementing restoration and monitoring activities as part of a Shared Resources crew that will support a network of partners to work towards their ecological restoration goals. The position entails strenuous physical activity and operation of heavy equipment. Duties include invasive plant control, seeding/planting, participation on controlled burns, and species/habitat monitoring.

This position requires a sound work ethic, interpersonal skills, and positive attitude during long field days. Development of effective relationships with volunteers and partners is critical. The Technician must also be able to work independently, completing substantial tasks without direct supervision or through the supervision of conservation partners, including tribal, federal, state, and non-profit personnel (the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, the WA Dept. of Natural Resources, WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Center for Natural Lands Management). This position will be working closely with Indigenous land managers and field crew members so cultural competency and awareness is an essential responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement management actions including invasive plant control, seeding and planting, prescribed fire, and monitoring as well as additional restoration actions as requested.
• Regularly enter data on mobile devices through apps such as ArcGIS FieldMaps and QuickCapture.
• Conduct and track routine maintenance of all equipment used in implementing duties.
• Operate equipment such as tractor with rotary brush cutter, engine powered chipper/shredder, chainsaws, hand-operated gas-powered brush cutters, and other heavy and light equipment.
• Work with personnel, equipment and other resources to successfully complete natural resource management projects. Maintain records of work performed and communicate to supervisor in a clear and organized manner.
• Learn techniques and best management practices to accomplish project objectives. Communicate the correct and safe implementation of these techniques to other crewmembers and partners.
• Work collaboratively with resource agencies, consultants, and other conservation organizations.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of or progress towards BA/BS/AS/Technical or vocational degree in science/natural resources-related field or at least three years natural resources or agriculture related experience.
• Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems; ability to recognize and/or learn plant and animal species as required to complete preserve management activities.
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles and current trends and practices.
• Demonstrated cultural competence with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g.; mower, brushcutter, chainsaw, tractor, two-way radio, etc. Training will be provided where needed.)
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
• Ability to obtain related licenses or certifications such as first aid, CPR, Washington State pesticide license, driver’s license, Firefighter Type II qualification.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers).

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Regularly works in natural areas. Hikes across, and conducts work within, native habitats and uneven ground. Field work is performed in all weather conditions and often in rough terrain.
• Regularly required to operate an Ecostudies Institute vehicle.
• Frequently works as part of a team and independently.
• Uses pesticides and/or other chemical substances.
• Uses hand tools, powered equipment such as weed trimmers and chain saws.
• Occasionally works around wildland fires (training will be provided where needed).
• Regularly lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May be requested to work some evenings and weekends and/or travel.

ABOUT ECOSTUDIES
Ecostudies Institute is a 501(c)(3) scientific non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of native species and their ecosystems. We achieve our mission through effective partnerships, sound scientific research, strategic land management and ecological restoration.  At the core of our mission is a cooperative conservation model that strives to realize improved conservation outcomes by developing shared goals and vision through partnerships. These partnerships, in turn, encourage information transfer, advances in cutting edge restoration techniques, and the development of integrated rangewide conservation approaches. Ecostudies currently employs over 40 permanent and seasonal staff.

HIRING EQUITY AND JUSTICE
It is well-documented that Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), queer and transgender folks, women, and other marginalized groups often do not apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification listed in the job description. We are most interested in finding the right candidate for the job and our organization. We encourage all passionate and interested candidates to apply and think broadly about your background and qualifications that could be transferable for the position. We are committed to working against the structural biases that continue to keep marginalized people excluded from the conservation, restoration, and wildland fire/prescribed fire fields, and to making sure our hiring practices are not reproducing those biases.