Job Purpose

The mission of Bridging The Gap’s Kansas City WildLands (KCWL) program is to conserve, protect, and restore remnant natural areas by connecting Kansas Citians to the lands and waters around them. The KCWL Seasonal Technician will contribute to this mission primarily through invasive species management within the Blue River watershed, with the potential for additional learning opportunities related to native seed, prescribed fire, and community science. This full-time position is term-limited and is funded through October 2026. This position will be supervised by a KCWL Program Coordinator and will have the opportunity to work with volunteers and conservationists throughout the metro.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Ecosystem Management

• Identify native and invasive plants of the Kansas City metro.
• Manage invasive plant species through cut-stump, manual, and chemical methods while working independently or sometimes with a small team.
• Collect data and track progress using GIS tools and other online resources.

Community Education and Outreach 

• Lead and/or contribute to volunteer workdays to remove invasive plant species, ensuring proper equipment, training, and safety of volunteers. 
• Build positive working relationships with team, partners, community leaders, volunteers and/or groups to act as a facilitator in the development and execution of regional restoration ecology initiatives. 
• Engage with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and support nature connections with new community groups through education and outreach.

Other job-related duties as requested and subject to reasonable accommodation. 

Qualifications

• Working familiarity with restoration ecology
• Interest or knowledge of invasive species management
• Interest or knowledge of native and invasive plants of the Kansas City region, specifically tallgrass prairie and oak hickory woodland species
• Permanent curiosity about conservation issues both local and far-reaching and a willingness to research and fill knowledge gaps
• Reliable access to a vehicle, valid driver’s license, and positive driving record

Preferred: Experience and working familiarity of woodland and tallgrass prairie ecosystem management; experience working both independently or with a field crew/volunteers or a team; demonstrated ability to work long days in the field; a willingness to learn.

Working Conditions

The KCWL Seasonal Technician works outside 80 - 100% of the time and sometimes in the heat, cold, and rain. At least 40 - 50% of that time spent outside will be with volunteers, team members, or members of the public. Potential for evening and/or weekend work depending on season.

• Ability to carry and move 40 pounds 
• Ability to handle the physical demands of the job including rough terrain, brush cutting, crouching, kneeling and safe navigation in the field with insects, arachnids, and reptiles.

Disclaimers

Candidates must have a valid driver’s license and an appropriate driving record. All candidates will be subject to a background check within compliance of applicable local, state, and federal laws. We welcome candidates who possess some of the required skills and demonstrate potential for growth. Bridging The Gap values lived experiences and prioritizes a willingness to learn. Applicants from historically under-resourced communities that do not typically have a presence in conservation are strongly encouraged to apply.

Work Schedule and Compensation

The Seasonal Technician position is compensated $17.50/hour and is full time at 32 to 40 hours/week. This position also receives mileage payouts for miles driven to and from sites in a personal vehicle from a designated starting point.

Bridging The Gap is an equal opportunity employer and understands the value of having a team with a diversity of experiences and perspectives to optimize our potential for compassion, collaboration, creativity, and excellence in service. BTG encourages people from all backgrounds to apply.