Seasonal Preserve Steward-Wenatchee, WA
Organization: The Nature Conservancy
Position Title: Seasonal Preserve Steward
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Hours & Compensation: paid; 6 months employment duration
Application Deadline: prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 4, 2014.
Description:
The Moses Coulee / Beezley Hills Preserve complex encompasses nearly 30,000 acres consisting of a mosaic of shrub steppe, riparian and wetland areas including seasonal and perennial ponds in Douglas and northern Grant Counties in central Washington. Approximately three quarters of that land is grazed by cattle during some portion of the year. The Seasonal Preserve Steward will assist the Conservancy’s Arid Lands Program Director, volunteers and occasional staff from the Washington Field Office with management and biological monitoring of the preserves.
The Seasonal Preserve Steward is a short term, three month position; April through June and is responsible for maintaining and enhancing The Nature Conservancy’s Moses Coulee, McCartney Creek and Beezley Hills preserves. The seasonal hire will live on site at the Moses Coulee Field Station which is located in a remote setting and is managed by The Nature Conservancy’s North Central Washington Field Office in Wenatchee, Washington. This is a fully equipped self-service facility provided to staff, permitted researchers, and other guests of The Nature Conservancy, located about 50 miles east of Wenatchee.
TNC
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Conservation Practitioner II participates in preserve operations, maintenance and management. This will include the following functions:
Coordinate native seed collection efforts and work with groups of volunteers to help with the collection of and proper storage of seed collected.Assist in organizing and leading volunteer workdays, outreach events and supervising volunteers as needed.Maintain positive relationships with local community and volunteers.Collect, enter and analyze vegetation data to evaluate management effectiveness related to weed control, grazing management and shrub steppe restoration.Perform stewardship tasks including seed collection, weed control; restoration related planting activities, and fence and building repairs.Assist other program staff with inventory, mapping and monitoring of wildlife habitat, including but not limited to bats and freshwater habitats.Assist in recruiting and supervising volunteers for stewardship activities.Assist with occasional donor or educational field trips and workshops, including logistics and visitor safety.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Field experience with shrub steppe communities and plant identification.Experience with a variety of monitoring techniques and following established scientific protocols.Experience navigating using topographic maps, aerial photographs and GPS units.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
BA or BS preferred.Strong knowledge of shrub steppe ecosystems including native and invasive plantExcellent organizational and writing skills with strong attention to detail.species identification. Maintenance aptitude. Ability to perform light electrical, carpentry, and plumbing repairs preferred.Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems. Ability to recognize plant and animal species as required to complete preserve monitoring activities.Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.Ability to safely operate a standard transmission 4-wheel drive vehicle, power tools and equipment. Experience with farm equipment and quadratrack vehicles is preferred.Strong organizational skills: ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and to work well both individually and on a team.Demonstrated commitment to the preservation of significant natural areas and to the goals of The Nature Conservancy.
ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION
Employment duration of this position is less than six months.Able to reside at the Moses Coulee Field Station from April through June 2014.Comfortable living and working alone or with others as part of a larger team.Willing to occasionally work under adverse weather conditions and in areas with the potential for snake or tick bites.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with the Conservancy’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.” Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.
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.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT
The Conservation Practitioner II may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions:
require considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strainpresent frequent possibility of injuryrequire occasional long hours in isolated settings
BENEFITS-SHORT TERM POSITIONS
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
TNC
TO APPLY
To apply to position number 41808, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 4, 2014.
Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.
You must click “submit” to apply for the position. You may select “save for later” if you prefer to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited.
