We are hiring a Conservation Technician to join the team! Below is a job description, resumes and cover letters are due May 1st. Fell free to contact us with any questions!
Position Title: Conservation Technician
Dates of Employment: Start date mid-May (flexible). This position is full time, permanent, depending on funding availability. If interested in part time, may be flexible.
Pay Range: Starting rate: $23.50 – $26.00 /hour (DOE) plus $600/month stipend in lieu of insurance. Other benefits include 11 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, (eligible to use after 90 day trial service period) and 3% matched SIMPLE IRA
Supervisor: HRSWCD District Manager
Status: Full Time (37.5 hrs/ week), non-exempt, at-will.
General Position Summary:
The Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District (HRSWCD) is seeking a technician with general natural resources experience and a desire to serve the residents of Hood River County. The HRWSCD is a special district serving Hood River County to provide a wide range of natural resource technical, educational, and financial assistance. The HRSWCD is a small district comprised of two employees and a five-member board. The Conservation Technician will serve as an integral member of the HRSWCD team. Work duties will take place in both the field and the office. The Technician will assist clients of the District by providing technical, educational, and financial information about conservation programs and practices. The Technician assists with direct on-site technical support and implementation of Best Management Practices, including fencing, irrigation, revegetation, pasture and manure management, wildfire mitigation and forest health, and noxious weed control. Specifically, the Technician will oversee landowner outreach and education and manage sign-ups for a mobile chipping program and organize further forestry work as needed. Additional tasks include water quality sampling, salmon spawning surveys, native plant sale, weed work, workshop assistance, help with social media outreach and website maintenance, educational materials development and delivery, and participation in local relevant working groups. The job will be somewhat flexible to reflect the applicant’s experience and strengths.
Location:
Working location is Hood River County and the office location is 3007 Experiment Station Dr., Hood River, OR 97031.
Specific Job Duties:
- Assist staff with answering questions via phone and email from the public regarding technical and financial assistance
- Prepare minutes for board and other meetings
- Assist with District website maintenance and regular updates
- Work cooperatively with the District Manager and Conservation Program Manager as well as project partners to coordinate planning, implementation, record keeping, and reporting for grants and projects
- Assist with developing and implementing small restoration projects, including determining project specifications, designing prescriptions, drafting grant applications, managing projects, inspecting completed projects, and developing completion and post-project reports
- Assist with developing educational and outreach materials
- Assist with workshops and other events, including registration, set up, logistics, and clean-up
- Schedule and implement ten debris pick up and mobile chipping days for target residents. Track the number of residences served and data on the characteristics of participants and fuels reduced.
- Cooperatively lead the plant sale, including ordering plants, updating the website, managing orders and volunteers to pack orders, and sale day
- Conduct domestic well monitoring and water quality grab sample monitoring
- Assist project partners with monitoring for spawning fish and other habitat parameters
- Assist with editing GIS shapefiles
Scope:
The Conservation Technician will work in the office as well as in the field and around residences in Hood River County. They will work cooperatively with the SWCD Conservation Program Manager, and under the direct supervision of the District Manager. Professional attitude and judgement is required. Due to the nature of office and field work, communication with co-workers is essential. The ability to develop and maintain good professional relationships with co-workers, directors, other agency personnel, and the public is required.
Minimum Requirements:
• At least two years of post high school undergraduate education required in applied, biological, environmental, forestry, or agricultural sciences OR equivalent education/experience
• Ability to communicate proficiently using oral, written and listening skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team member, work independently, and be self-motivated.
Proficiency in the use of personal computers, smartphones, and software, including word processing and spreadsheets.
Preferred Qualifications:
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Demonstrated experience with forestry, fisheries, agriculture, and community engagement
• GIS experience (Arc GIS desktop and online)
• Experience with developing grants and managing projects
• Bilingual in Spanish
Job Expectations:
• Ability to read maps, GPS, and collect data
• Keep accurate, detailed records, complete reports, enter data as needed, and regularly communicate with SWCD staff. Training will be provided.
• Work flexible hours
• Ability to interact appropriately with a variety of individuals
• Ability to complete tasks without direct supervision
• Ability to continually learn and willingness to readily adjust to unexpected changes in tasks
• Ability to prioritize and arrange events with landowners and contractors
• Ability to work around flowing water and carry up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain
• This position requires fieldwork and office work. Driving to and from field activities will be required. Employees are required to provide their own reliable vehicle. Mileage will be reimbursed at the state rate. While using private vehicles for official business, employees must have current automobile liability insurance and possess a valid driver’s license.
This position is an at-will, non-exempt, hourly, up to 40 hours a week position, although full time at the District is 37.5 hours per week. Under this classification, the employee is eligible for a monthly benefits stipend, paid sick and vacation leave, and paid holidays.
Apply by submitting a brief letter describing how your experience and training support the major responsibilities and qualifications for the position. Include a resume and three references. Applications due by Wednesday, May 1st. Screening applications will begin and will continue until the position has been filled.
Send application materials (email preferred) to Heather Hendrixson, Hood River SWCD, 3007 Experiment Station Dr., Hood River, OR 97031. Phone 541-386-4588 or email Heather@hoodriverswcd.org.
