Overview Summary

Ecostudies Institute is hiring a Restoration Technician to support work conserving the native shrub-steppe habitats and species on the Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility (NWSTF) Boardman. The facility is a 47,400-acre Naval installation located in north-central Oregon and supports one of the largest remaining parcels of native shrub-steppe vegetation in that part of the state. Ecostudies assists NWSTF Boardman with habitat enhancement and restoration to improve habitat quality, with the goal of re-establishing native vegetation to support Washington Ground Squirrels and other native Columbia shrub-steppe species. The cooperative program requires coordination and cooperation between multiple partners (such as the Department of Defense and The Nature Conservancy), as well as their staff, contractors, and other entities. This position will be part of a three-person team comprising of a Project Manager, Restoration Specialist, and the Restoration Technician, and will be expected to maintain working relationships with existing and future partners. This position could be based in areas nearby to Boardman, OR (e.g. Hermiston, Tri-Cities, The Dalles).

Responsibilities

• Survey for and control invasive plants, primarily through herbicide applications.
• Conduct line-point intercept monitoring, ocular estimates of rangeland cover, and seedling survival monitoring. May assist with soil sampling and native seed collection.
• Participate in plug planting and other native plant seeding efforts.
• Maintain records of work performed and communicate to supervisor in a clear and organized manner.
• Regularly enter data on mobile devices through apps such as ArcGIS FieldMaps and QuickCapture.
• Operate equipment such as earth auger (manual and motorized), backpack sprayer, and metal detectors. Communicate the correct and safe implementation of these techniques to other crewmembers, partners and volunteers. Conduct and track routine maintenance of all equipment used in implementing duties.
• Work collaboratively with resource agencies, consultants, and other conservation organizations.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.
• Obtain and hold Oregon Commercial Pesticide Applicator license

Required Qualifications

• Completion of BA/BS/AS/Technical or vocational degree in science/natural resources-related field OR at least two years natural resources or agriculture related job experience OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Experience working with, or knowledge of, natural systems; ability to recognize plant and animal species as required to complete natural resource management activities.
• Willingness to work with and apply herbicide.
• Ability to achieve and maintain qualifications as an Oregon commercial pesticide applicator (CPA) through the ODA. Work towards other advanced qualifications encouraged.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, web browsers)
• Ability to operate (or willingness to learn) various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. backpack sprayer, ATV/UTV, tractor, two-way radio, etc.).
• Ability to follow instructions from colleagues and practice effective communication in a team setting.
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
• Ability to perform physical work, frequently under adverse conditions, on uneven terrain, or in inclement weather.
• Ability and willingness to work independently from a home office when not scheduled for field work.
• Ability to independently complete office tasks of high quality without direct supervision.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude during long field days

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with ArcGIS and other geodatabase systems.
• Knowledge of, and interest in, ecological land management principles.
• Experience with maintaining small engines.
• Experience with herbicide application using backpack sprayers and/or boom sprayers.
• Experience maintaining herbicide backpack sprayers and/or boom sprayers.

Working Conditions

• Regularly works outdoors in natural and invaded sagebrush steppe areas - hikes across and conducts work on uneven ground. Field work is performed in all weather conditions and often in rough terrain.
• Work in Navy training areas with nearby training activities including some aviation training. NWSTF Boardman requires a mandatory 30-minute unexploded ordinance (UXO) safety brief annually for all staff working in the field.
• Regularly operate an Ecostudies Institute vehicle or truck rental on highways, gravel roads, and dirt roads.
• Frequently work in pairs and as part of a team in the field.
• Frequently work independently in home office.
• Works in conditions involving pesticides.
• Uses or supervises the use of hand and powered equipment such as shovels, axes, loppers, augers, and metal detectors.
• May potentially use other equipment including ATV/UTV, small boom sprayer, small harrow.
• Regularly lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

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 range-wide conservation approaches. The organization is headquartered in Olympia, Washington. Ecostudies currently employs over 40 permanent and seasonal staff.

Hiring Equity and Justice

ESI values and seeks diversity and equity within the organization, and we encourage applications from all groups of people. We recognize that the strength of the organization is in our people, and we believe that every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Ecostudies does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices, and our commitment to equal employment opportunity applies to every aspect of the employment relationship.

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.

Ecostudies Institute is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Ecostudies Institute management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Ecostudies Institute and the employee and is subject to change by Ecostudies Institute as the needs of the Ecostudies Institute and requirements of the job change.