Lead Field Technician - Great Marsh

Mass Audubon • Newburyport, MA

8h • $23 - $24

About The Position

This position co-leads a team of twelve technicians within the spring and fall implementing salt marsh restoration and will solely lead a crew of seven technicians throughout the summer manually removing invasive plants to restore resiliency within salt marsh habitats on the North Shore of Massachusetts. This work with the Wetland Restoration Coordinator on weekly and daily work planning and implementation. In addition, this position will provide regular updates on progress and escalate critical issues to the Coordinator as needed. Depending on the time of year, duties will include but are not limited to: 1) restoring salt marsh hydrology at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (PRNWR); 2) manually removing invasive Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) from salt marshes and adjacent areas within the Great Marsh (coastal towns from Salisbury to Gloucester); 3) supervising and directing restoration technicians to ensure efficient time and task management; and 4) ensuring the collection of monitoring data and utilizing mobile-based software. The Lead Field Technician – Great Marsh will also participate in additional efforts on the PRNWR and Mass Audubon properties to support coastal resilience and restoration projects, represent both agencies with allied organizations, and assist with related data management and reporting.

Requirements

• At least 18 years of age
• Experience working in salt marshes and/or working in restoration
• Work experience or formal education in ecology, coastal geology, hydrology, marine biology, biogeochemistry, botany, natural resource management, or other related disciplines appropriate to the position; or a combination of relevant education and appropriate experience
• A strong work ethic and interpersonal skills; ability to work well independently and on a team
• Willing to work occasional weekends for volunteer and outreach events
• Good sense of personal dynamics in a team of coworkers and ability to set tone and model positive attitude and problem-solving
• Ability to interact with project partners and the public in a professional manner
• Ability to work productively with others while abiding by Mass Audubon policy for maintaining public health
• Enthusiastic about physical work to achieve conservation management outcomes and be physically able to lift 50 lbs., pull heavy sleds over long, uneven surfaces, and repeated bending and lifting
• Ability to work in difficult weather conditions (strong wind, rain, extreme temperatures) while maintaining appropriate safety protocols
• Ability to use technology on a mobile device or tablet

Nice To Haves

• Previous leadership experience
• Experience implementing salt marsh restoration techniques known as Ditch Remediation and Runneling
• Salt marsh and invasive plant identification skills
• Experience using ArcGIS Field Maps App
• Public outreach experience
• Field work experience in hydrology, geomorphology, and bird ID skills

Responsibilities

• Work with the Wetland Restoration Coordinator and Monitoring Coordinator to co-lead technician team and help delegate tasks to implement salt marsh restoration
• Use walk-behind agricultural tractors and hand tools to cut and pack hay into ditches to accelerate healing process; in some cases, assist with digging shallow trenches (runnels) by hand.
• Lead a crew of technicians to hand pull perennial pepperweed and deliver it to appropriate drop-off locations.
• Create and communicate daily and weekly plans with the Coordinators and technicians; report issues or needs immediately, and keep appropriate staff informed of progress. This includes but is not limited to: daily start times, monitoring field conditions, in field decision making and implementation, keeping track of equipment and supplies
• Thoroughly ensure pre-established monitoring protocols are followed, and all required data is collected using FieldMaps and ArcGIS Online
• Train, delegate, and assist volunteer groups
• Assist in other targeted habitat management and coastal resilience projects on Mass Audubon property, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and other locations in the Great Marsh
• Notify landowners of invasive removal and communicate with the public the work and goals of the project and allay potential concerns about the presence of the team and their work; be an ambassador for Mass Audubon’s mission
• Assist partners with projects happening throughout the Great Marsh to further gain field experience and assist with outreach related to saltmarsh restoration and/or habitat restoration

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed