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Work outdoors and help protect Alaska from harmful invasive plant species!
Invasive Plant Field Technician
Summary
Under the supervision of a biologist, these positions will conduct invasive plant management projects throughout Alaska. Duties including various control techniques (manual, mechanical, and chemical), management of volunteers, educating the public about noxious and invasive plants, survey for invasive plants, and data collection. Invasive plant management duties take place in parks, greenbelts, forestlands, natural areas, wildlife refuges, other public lands, military bases, industrial sites, right-of-ways, and private properties. The majority of the work is outdoors regardless of weather and often physically demanding.
Example of Duties
⢠Perform a variety of invasive plant abatement duties including manual removal, application of herbicides, and operation/maintenance of weed whips and chain saws.
⢠Properly identify (training provided) noxious and invasive plants, document control measures, collect GPS coordinates, and other field site data.
⢠Lead and supervise volunteers in invasive plant control projects.
⢠Conduct community outreach/education about invasive plants including how to prevent their spread and what citizens can do about it.
⢠Work collaboratively with multiple agencies, communities, citizens, and private landowners.
⢠Ensure public and personal safety in the course of field projects.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
⢠Ability to organize and safely conduct vegetation control projects, including physically demanding tasks outdoors in forested, remote, and/or public settings regardless of weather.
⢠Knowledge, skill, and ability to use and maintain hand tools, weed whips, chain saws, chippers, etc.
⢠Skill and ability to identify invasive plants (training provided), ability to collect accurate data, ability to find specific sites and collect location data with GPS.
⢠Effective communication skills and the ability to convey a positive impression to agency partners, the general public, and community volunteers.
⢠Knowledge and understanding of ecological interactions and ability to explain to the public how invasive species can disrupt ecological processes.
⢠Computer skills such as word processing, email communication, database applications, and Internet research. GIS and mapping experience is helpful.
⢠Physical fitness, including the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and ability to perform physically strenuous work outdoors in adverse conditions.
⢠Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised and perform complex tasks.
⢠Field Tech 2 - Knowledge of invasive plant biology and control methods. Knowledge of herbicides and their properties, application timing, application methods, equipment, and regulatory requirements. Including Alaska DEC - Pesticide Applicator Certification. Supervisory experience
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Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or equivalent. College degree preferred especially with a degree or course work in botany, biology, chemistry, natural sciences, or resource management. Following training, must be able to identify noxious and invasive plants in Southcentral Alaska. Invasive Species management or other relevant experience may be substituted for education. Scientific field crew, landscaping, forest firefighting, trail building, or other outdoor labor oriented jobs would be good experience for this position. Supervisory and/or volunteer management experience is highly desirable.
⢠Current Certification or ability to become a Certified Pesticide Applicator by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is required for our Field Technician positions. More information in the link below:
https://dec.alaska.gov/eh/pest/information-about-becoming-a-certified-pesticide-applicator/
⢠Special Requirements -- must possess a valid driver's license and personal transportation with the ability to transport some tools and supplies.
Notice -- this is a seasonal, non-benefited position.
Field Technician 1: Starting pay rate at hire is $12-16/hour - depending on knowledge, skills, ability, and experience. That will immediately jump by $3/hour once you are Certified as a Pesticide Applicator with Alaska DEC. For example, last year one of our new hires started his first day at $17 after successfully completing the DEC Certification. Raises are given every month or two during the summer following strong job performance - so the guy in the example was making $21/hour at the end of the summer.
Field Technician 2: Higher salary available for rare individuals with specialized knowledge and experience. Contact us for additional details and to let us know about your relevant experience.
Job hours and duration -- General job hours are during the regular workday (e.g., 9am-5pm) with occasional weekend or evening work. Work hours will vary from week to week (typically 35 to 50 hours) depending on projects and funding. There will likely be some long field days while out of town and corresponding overtime when necessary.
Start date: mid May
End date: mid-September to October (weather and project dependent with some flexibility depending on your schedule).
Job Locations: positions based in Anchorage with some projects outside of Anchorage (e.g., Girdwood, Kenai Peninsula, and Beluga/Tyonek). There may be some paid overnight travel for projects out of town. We also have a part-time position based in Girdwood.
*** To apply -- please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references (with contact info) via email.
Application deadline -- Open until filled. Review date of February 24th.
