Description

Position: Restoration Technician

Location: Gaylord, Michigan 

Responsible To: Habitat Specialist

Employment Term: Full-Term is May 11th-November 19th, partial-term positions will be considered

Huron Pines: Huron Pines is a nonprofit conservation organization with a mission to enhance and protect land, water, and wild places through community-driven conservation. Our vision is conservation driven by engaged, empowered communities. Huron Pines is a leading voice for habitat restoration and protection in the region; through education, advocacy, and on-the-ground stewardship activities, Huron Pines promotes ecological diversity, natural ecosystem processes, and sustainable management. Huron Pines collaborates with a wide range of local, state, and federal partners to facilitate these stewardship activities across jurisdictional boundaries on nearly 100 unique project sites over 800+ acres annually. 

Scope of Work: The Restoration Technicians will be implementing tasks on behalf of Huron Pines’ stewardship project managers and the Huron Heartland and Huron Coastal Invasive Species Networks (HHISN/HCISN) throughout an 11-county service area in the NE lower peninsula. Restoration Technicians will work closely with Huron Pines staff to use a variety of management techniques in an effort to improve ecological outcomes in the region, with a focus on rare and imperiled natural communities. Specific techniques will vary day to day and site to site, with the essential role of the Restoration Technician being to manipulate plant communities and control invasive species through herbicide applications and mechanical means. Huron Pines is always looking for innovative and adaptive ways to complete a diverse array of project work, and values flexibility and versatility in our staff. We are looking for motivated individuals who have a passion for the stewardship of our natural resources, a willingness to learn, will be strong team members, help problem solve, work efficiently and confidently without direct supervision, and maintain a high level of professionalism in field and office settings. 

Position Responsibilities Include:

Approximately 85% field work, 10% office/maintenance work, 5% education/outreach
Manage invasive species in collaboration with Huron Pines staff, outside agencies, volunteers, and landowners through chemical and physical removal techniques
Assist with the monitoring of threatened and endangered species
Assist with native plantings and seed collections to enhance imperiled communities
Assist with the implementation of fuel breaks and hazardous fuels management
Ensure safe and responsible operation and decontamination of Huron Pines equipment
Maintain a high level of communication with Huron Pines Staff
Submit accurate reports, including electronic forms, timesheets, digital photos, and GPS/GIS data
Assist the Huron Pines staff as needed in other project areas such as education, water resource management, and preserve stewardship/maintenance
Be willing and able to stay overnight (1-3 nights at a time) near project areas via camping or provided lodging (1-2 times per month)

Benefits and Learning Outcomes:

This position pays $17-$18/hr. dependent on experience
3-day weekends! The work week is generally four ten-hour days, Monday to Thursday
Employees receive three paid federal holidays plus 3 hours of flexible PTO accumulated biweekly (42 hours if working the full 28-week term)
On-the-job training and the opportunity to learn about and explore Northern Michigan
The opportunity to build a professional resume, including the addition of a 3-year certification
A work vehicle is provided; if you must use a personal vehicle, you will be reimbursed for mileage
Apparel that you can keep - Huron Pines shirts, hat, and a pair of muck boots
Have a hand in directly influencing the health of Northern Michigan's natural resources

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

Possess a valid driver's license, up-to-date insurance, and reliable transportation to and from work
Familiarity with navigational tools such as GPS and paper maps
Ability to work in a team-oriented setting
Commitment to the mission and goals of Huron Pines, a passion for Michigan’s natural resources, and a willingness to learn
Must be able to represent Huron Pines in a professional manner, both in the field and office setting.
Be willing and able to obtain the Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certificate (associated fees are covered by Huron Pines; certification is valid for 3 years)
Must be able to work efficiently outdoors in varying weather conditions and terrain while maintaining a positive attitude
Ability to comply with safety regulations and protocol administered by Huron Pines staff
Ability to pass a background and/or security check
Ability to hike while carrying a backpack sprayer or other equipment weighing up to 30 pounds (reasonable accommodations may be made)

Preferred Qualifications: 

A minimum of one year’s experience completing natural resource management projects and/or a relevant Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Ability to identify invasive, native, and at-risk plant species common to the state of Michigan
Experience with herbicides, including safety, proper storage, mixing, and application 
Experience with GIS mapping, data collection, and Google Suite
Experience safely operating watercraft, off-road vehicles, and pickup trucks, as well as chainsaws, brushcutters, and other power tools

How to Apply: 

This is an at-will, seasonal, non-exempt position. Huron Pines plans to fill multiple positions with this announcement. Please send your resume, three references, and an optional cover letter to: info@huronpines.org with the subject line ‘Restoration Technician Application’. Huron Pines is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact Jennie Zoll, Director of Finance and Administration at 989-448-2293 ext. 22 or jennie@huronpines.org. If you have questions regarding the specific responsibilities of the position, please contact Daniel Judd, Habitat Specialist at 989-448-2293 ext. 25 or daniel@huronpines.org. This rolling application will be open until the positions are filled. By applying for this position, you are certifying that all of the statements made in your application are true, correct, and complete to the best of your knowledge.