Allegheny Highlands Restoration Technician

OFFICE LOCATION

Lexington, Virginia, USA

VA409

WHO WE ARE

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Restoration Technician is a full-time permanent position that will work directly with partners in the Heart of the Appalachians Fire Learning Network to implement on-the-ground restoration of fire-adapted oak- and pine-dominated forests in the Central Appalachians of Virginia.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

The Restoration Technician will coordinate with staff from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, private landowners, and other partners to implement controlled burns and pre- and post-burn ecological monitoring. Responsibilities will include fire line construction and maintenance, monitoring fuel conditions, burn implementation and mop up, equipment maintenance, vegetation and avian monitoring, and data entry and compilation. As such, the Restoration Technician participates as a member of the Conservancy’s state-wide fire management team, with assignments primarily limited to the western mountains. Accomplishing these duties requires the Restoration Technician to effectively communicate between, work with, and often lead diverse teams of other Conservancy or partner agency staff, volunteers, and interns. Other responsibilities may include routine preserve management such as, road and trail maintenance, gate construction and repair, sign installation, land-asset monitoring, field station maintenance, and other related stewardship activities. The Restoration Technician may also lead or assist with preserve and project field trips, public workshops, development of interpretive materials, and outreach initiatives, as well as:

May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, partners, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
May be involved with ecological management and stewardship activities such as: scouting fire line, lead fire line preparation, mechanical thinning of trees and shrubs, trail maintenance, invasive species control and land asset monitoring.
Knowledge or interest in land management and ecosystem restoration, particularly prescribed burning. Prescribed or suppression fire experience preferred.
Project activities may include: vegetation sampling, photographic monitoring, and avian point counts, including preparation and maintenance of monitoring equipment, management of data forms and coordination of sampling logistics. Assist partner agencies with data entry into a FEAT and Firemon and Excel database/workbook.
Financial responsibility may include working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors.
May assist in development of Fire Learning Network workshops and interpretive materials.
May work under minimal and/or distant supervision; may make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

BA/BS in science-related field and 1-year related experience in custodial and ecological land management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience including AS, Technical or vocational degrees.
Qualified Fire Fighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) and successful completion of FFT1 task book or equivalent experience or qualification from non-NWCG agencies. Requirements for FFT1 can be found in the Conservancy Fire Management Manual at: http://www.tncfiremanual.org/SquadBoss.htm
Must achieve physical fitness standard as determined by local Fire Program Manager and the TNC Fire Manual. Must be able to complete arduous Work Capacity Test, 3 miles in 45 minutes carrying 45 lbs.
Experience operating various types of equipment and machinery. (Two-way radio, chainsaw, backpack blower, brush cutter, UTV, portable pumps and drip torches, etc.)
Faller 3, Basic sawyer is required or equivalent experience or qualification from non-NWCG agencies.
Experience with natural systems.
Experience in ecological land management principles.
Must have a valid driver's license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
1 – 3 years related experience in custodial and ecological land management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Faller 2-Intermediate Sawyer preferred.
Some experience managing volunteers.
Ability to recognize plant and animal species in Eastern Deciduous forests to complete preserve management and monitoring activities.
Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Web browsers, Microsoft Power Point, Avenza or handheld GPS applications).
Communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
Experience with GIS mapping software such as ArcMap or ArcPro.

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

Salary Range: $26.37-$28.57 per hour ($48,000 - $52,000 annually) based on experience.

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 54277, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on January 1, 2024. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

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TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.