Ecosystem Restoration Technician (ST)

Babson Park, Florida (FL)

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 30 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.
TNC

The Ecosystem Restoration Technician’s primary function is to assist on wildland and prescribed fire operations hosted by public land agencies and some private landowners across central Florida. The Ecosystem Restoration Technician will assist numerous fire managers who employ varying fire and land management techniques in a variety of fuel models to meet their project objectives. All TNC staff actively participating on prescribed fires must be qualified as a FFT2. The Ecosystem Restoration Technician will assist with pre and post fire operation needs including preparing fire breaks, burn unit fuel treatments, post-burn monitoring, mop-up, and other tasks.  Additional natural resource management and fire-readiness duties will be conducted when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire operations. These duties may include chainsaw projects, invasive species control, equipment maintenance, and other tasks.

JOB DUTIES

This position has currently identified financial support for three months from start date, and no guarantees can be made that the position will extend beyond that date.   However, The Nature Conservancy is an employer at will and the employment relationship may end at any time. Optional co-ed housing and basic utilities, with the exception of telephone, will be provided in a Conservancy residence as taxable income to the employee.  

• Participate as a crew member on prescribed burns conducted by various agencies and The Nature Conservancy (40%).  Participate as a crew member on wildfires if requested.
• Maintain equipment and fire cache in fire-ready status; maintain clean and organized trucks and work areas (20%).
• Safely use chain saws, brushcutters, tractors and other tools to restore overgrown habitat and prepare firebreaks (20%).
• Perform control of invasive, non-native plants and other nuisance plants, using chemical (herbicide) and manual treatments (15%). Position requires the application of herbicides; licensing or certification in herbicide application a plus.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor (5%).

(Percentages given above are estimates of time devoted to each job duty per year. Actual percentages may vary significantly from year to year due to weather, grant commitments and other factors.)
TNC

• High school diploma and 6 months of related experience
• Qualified as or able to meet qualifications for Fire Fighter Type 2.
• Experience operating various types of equipment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma and 6 months -1 year of experience
• Qualified as or able to meet qualifications for FFT2. Seehttp://www.tncfiremanual.org/firefighter.htm Previous First Aid/CPR training a plus.
• Perform various wildland fire duties, if qualified, including ignition, holding, mop-up, engine operation, engine bossing, crew bossing, and fire weather monitoring.
• Safely operate a wide variety of equipment including 4 WD trucks with trailers, portable pumps, pump engines, foam proportioners, port-a-tanks, ignition devices, tractors, backpack blowers, backpack sprayers, brushcutters, chain saws, and GPS units.  Must have familiarity with the safe operation of equipment, and must follow recommended safety guidelines and precautions specified for said work. 
• Must be able to safely operate an All-terrain Vehicle (ATV) or Utility All-Terrain Vehicle (UTV) when duties require use of such equipment and to comply with Florida Chapter All-terrain Vehicle Operating Guidelines at all times. Must have a valid driver’s license and safe driving record.   
• Common sense and ability to follow instructions from colleagues,
• Ability to work for different project leaders on many projects in different locations.

• Position term is three months.

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

• 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 strain
• present frequent possibility of injury
• require long hours in isolated settings
• Maintain excellent physical condition to perform sustained, strenuous work associated with prescribed and wildfire operations and mechanical fuels treatment and invasive plant control, often in hot weather.
• Ability to annually pass a physical fitness pack test of walking 3 miles carrying 45 pounds in 45 minutes. 

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, a 401k plan, 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 position number 41262, 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 July 17, 2013.

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.

If you are experiencing technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contactapplyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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