Seasonal Restoration Technician
Full Time, Temporary (Seasonal) Position Announcement
Compensation and Benefits: $18-20/hr., plus on-the-job mileage reimbursement
Position duration: 30-40 hours per week, seasonal temporary employee. The anticipated final date of employment is April 1, 2027. Duration of the position is based on funding and may change.
Hiring Organization: Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District (LSWCD)
Contact: Tyler, 914 SW Coast Hwy, Newport, OR. 97365; (541) 265-2631

Overview:
Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District (LSWCD) is hiring a Seasonal Restoration Technician to work with a team under the general supervision of the MidCoast Watersheds Council Coordinator and LSWCD Program Specialist. Technicians will work 30-40 hours per week to prepare and maintain habitat restoration projects, plant native trees/shrubs and install associated herbivory protection cages and riparian fencing at habitat restoration projects located throughout the MidCoast region. The Technician will also control noxious weeds on projects with various manual, mechanical, and chemical (herbicide) tools under the supervision of a licensed herbicide applicator. Work is often on difficult terrain.

Job Duties:
Job duties include:

● Moving and transporting bare-root and potted plant stock, metal fence rolls, power equipment, fenceposts, and other associated materials from storage to remote field sites.
● Planting bare-root and potted native trees, shrubs, and willow stakes carefully, according to a planting plan, and incorporating weed suppression or geotextile fabric and other protection devices.
● Controlling the spread of invasive plant species using mechanical, manual, and chemical methods.
● Handling and applying approved herbicides to noxious weeds at project sites with backpack sprayers.
● Building and installing plant protective metal cages and supportive posts.
● Handling gas-powered earth augers and power trimmers for planting site preparation, and occasionally hand digging holes for wider potted stock.
● Carrying materials weighing up to 50 lbs. for distances over 50 ft. and using power equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. is common.
● Working outdoors in a team setting, sharing duties, observing safety protocols, and maintaining a professional attitude on private property are required.
● Driving a 4wd truck while towing a trailer.

Job conditions:
The work is predominantly outdoors and can occur in rainy and cold or hot and dry weather. Site conditions vary from flat pasture terrain to steep, slippery riverbanks and hill slopes. Planting sites are anywhere from 20 to 80 miles from Newport and require driving time both ways each day.
The schedule shifts based on light availability and projects from eight-hour days to ten-hour workdays. Overtime is not permitted.

Preferences:
Preference will be given to applicants that can illustrate applicable work experience that demonstrates physical and mental capacity to perform the Job Duties, and

● Knowledge of or ability to identify Pacific Northwest native and invasive plant species, specifically Oregon Coastal species.
● Preference will also be given to individuals who possess an Oregon Pesticide Apprentice or Public Applicator’s license.

Requirements:

● Candidates must be at least 18 years old.
● Candidates must be physically fit and demonstrate through past work experience the ability to handle the Job Duties. Heavy lifting, physical exertion, work on hands and knees, and performing repetitive planting tasks across project landscapes in coastal winter weather will be a major part of this position.
● Candidates must have a valid Oregon Driver’s license and the ability to travel to office or project sites as needed. The occasional use of personal vehicles for transportation of tools and equipment across gravel forest roads, pastures, and unimproved roads is required.
● Must be comfortable working around herbicides and pesticides under the supervision of a certified applicator.

Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Lincoln SWCD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Please contact Tyler Clouse (info@lincolnswcd.org or (541) 265-2631) if you have any questions.