New England Resource Management Technician – South Egremont, MA

Organization: Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Position Title: New England Resource Management Technician

Location: South Egremont, MA

Hours & Compensation: 21 weeks (May-September), 35 hours/week. Hourly wage.

Position Dates: May – September

Application Deadline: April 8, 2013

Posted On: February 12, 2013

Organization Overview: 

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), established in 1925, is a national not-for-profit corporation that is both a confederation of the 31 local organizations with assignments to maintain the Appalachian Trail and a membership organization with support from all 50 states and more than 15 other countries. Under agreements that date back to the 1930s, buttressed by federal legislation in 1968 and 1978, ATC leads a cooperative-management system for the Trail that equals the National Park Service and USDS Forest Service at national, regional, and district levels, a variety of agencies in 14 states, a few other federal agencies, and even some county and town agencies.

Description:

Under the general supervision of the Northern Resource Management Coordinator based in Harpers Ferry, WV and working closely with New England regional staff and the National Park Service, the Resource Management Technician (RMT) is responsible for invasive exotic plant monitoring and management in the region, assisting with the rare plant monitoring program, implementing the citizen-science based A.T. phenology program in New England, and assisting with other conservation initiatives as needed. The employee will assist with data collection for active programs and will work closely with volunteers, engaging a wide variety of people to address environmental issues. The RMT will work cooperatively with Trail maintaining clubs, agency partners, universities, and other collaborators within the New England region.

Responsibilities:

• Assists with the administration of ATC’s invasive exotic species monitoring and management program in the New England region. The RMT will conduct invasive species inventories along a minimum of 50 miles of the A.T. using established protocols. The RMT will assists staff and partners in analyzing existing invasive/exotic (IE) data to prioritize management needs and take appropriate actions. The RMT will work closely with the ATC staff and agency partners to host volunteer workshops for controlling IE species in the A.T. corridor. The RMT supports volunteer recruitment and training, and maintains program records including inventory data and volunteer numbers. The RMT communicates and coordinates with regional agency partners and organizations, A.T. clubs, and associated volunteers. The RMT may work with the New England- Exotic Plant Management Team to treat invasive areas.
• Supports ATC’s rare plant monitoring in the New England region. The RMT will work closely with ATC and Appalachian Trail Park Office (ATPO) staff to help provide volunteer training and to assist with surveying rare plant sites. The RMT may help host workshops to improve volunteer recruitment and training. The RMT will assist with communication between key agency partners such as State Natural Heritage employees, university botanists, and A.T. clubs to assure program effectiveness. The RMT will also communicate with Trail maintaining clubs to ensure awareness and protection of rare plants is exercised while conducting regular A.T. maintenance.
• Assists with the implementation of ATC’s Phenology Monitoring program. Coordinates with A.T. Clubs, local schools and organizations, agency partners and associated volunteers to establish phenology monitoring sites. Hosts at least one workshop to initiate volunteer recruitment and training in New England. Maintains program records including phenological data and volunteer numbers.
• May represent ATC at conferences, events, workshops, and club gatherings. Creates and delivers presentations, materials and aids in coordination efforts when needed.