This position will focus on implementing a diverse range of ecological restoration techniques and monitoring to support a broad landscape restoration project in the Altar Valley of southern AZ.

Work activities will involve extensive field work often in remote areas and leading a small field crew managing staff during work focused on:

1) Planting saguaro cacti to create habitat for wildlife, and measure and record data on individual saguaros and local habitat,

2) Erecting nest boxes on trees and tripods with ladders and hand tools, and cleaning, maintaining, and making small repairs to existing nest boxes,

3) Deploying native seed at restoration plots and pre- and post-seeding vegetation monitoring and data collection,

4) Assisting hand crews building erosion control structures of rock and brush, 5) Cleaning and purchasing field equipment, planning logistics, and communicating effectively with managers and contractors to foster efficient and safe implementation of field work, and 6) Travel and navigate overland with needed equipment and supplies and mapping structures to implement work. 

More details on some elements:

1) Transport, salvage, re-plant, and measure saguaro cacti at field locations. This will include some uprooting and transplanting of wild plants, and some transport and re-planting of nursery grown cacti. Map locations of plantings and measure cacti. Work as leader of small team sometimes co-supervising with a contractor in the field. Drive to field sites to plant saguaros and occasionally camp overnight. Prepare field equipment including slings, netting, wire cages, water and other materials to protect and transport plants.

2) Erect nest boxes on trees and tripods and transport boxes and other materials and tools into the field to foster box setup at selected locations. Use ladders and hand tools including saws and chainsaws to prepare sites for mounting boxes, then clean, maintain, and make small repairs to existing nest boxes or ones already set up.

3) Deploy native seed within restoration plots and areas near and away from erosion control structures and occasionally help build erosion structures of rock and brush. Complete pre- and post-seeding vegetation monitoring and data collection to document baseline conditions. Supervise and schedule field crew working with contractors, staff, and supervisors to assure efficient implementation of field work. Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Knowledge and past experience with ecological restoration, desert plants, plant identification, planting desert plants especially succulents, woodworking skills, overland navigation, and supervising a field crew focused on ecological restoration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1) Ability to traverse rugged often off-trail terrain and carry or wheel saguaros and other equipment and supplies with hand trucks, wagons, and AT vehicles to planting sites,

2) knowledge of native plants, landscaping, horticulture, erosion control, seeding, and experience planting and transplanting native plants esp. succulents,

3) ability to use hand and power tools such as hammer drills, drills, saws, chainsaw,

4) woodworking skills and ability to climb a ladder and work at heights >10 feet off the ground,

5) ability manage a field team in remote areas, 6) ability to interact with agency personnel, land managers, and contractors to facilitate safety and work in the field and implement and plan a diverse set of work