Conservation Field Technician

Field Technician

Job Summary: The Field Technician is responsible for assisting with work related to maintaining native habitats through field stewardship practices and enhancing native "pocket" habitats and formal beds through horticulture practices. These native habitats include grasslands and forests of various sizes and formal native landscape beds within Memorial Park. The Field Technician will complete tasks related to native land management, integrative pest management, and supporting native plant diversity. The Field Technician will work with other Conservation Operations team members to enhance and maintain native habitats. The Field Technician will perform tasks as directed by the Supervisors and under field leadership of the Coordinators.

Base Schedule: Monday-Friday: 6:00am-2:30pm, may adjust based on season.

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Physically perform field stewardship practices including mechanical & chemical vegetation removal, planting & seeding, seed collection, mulching, watering, fertilizing, pruning, edging, and other daily and seasonal tasks.
• Conduct a variety of maintenance and operational tasks in native habitats, installed grasslands and forests, planted rain gardens and bioswales, formal native landscape beds and greenhouse daily.
• Safely operate small and large equipment including utility vehicles, trucks, spray tanks, backpack blowers, string trimmers, tri-blades, edgers, tractors and attachments, and others as needed. At times, use of small and large equipment is for several hours in a workday and several days in a work week.
• Maintain supplies, tools, and equipment for efficient and safe use.
• Demonstrate ownership of assigned work by upholding maintenance standards to the highest degree.
• Work alongside and, at times, lead volunteers. This includes occasional weekends.
• Communicate issues regarding infrastructure, furnishings, safety hazards, and quality of the park user experience issues via work order software, as needed.
• Interact with Park users in a courteous and professional manner. Be prepared to provide accurate and pertinent information regarding MPC and the Park.
• Comply with all MPC rules, safety policies, and procedures, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Assist with cleanliness of office and storage spaces.
• Assist with other Park Operations tasks including trash and debris removal, as needed.

Qualifications: the ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• 1 or more years of professional experience in native plant establishment, land management, horticulture, landscaping, or related field.
• Experience of native habitat stewardship and horticulture practices such as site preparation, pest management, mulching, and planting/seeding.
• Experience in the safe operations of horticulture and native habitat stewardship industry tools and equipment, including hand tools, power equipment, heavy machinery, and chainsaws.
• Comfortable performing work tasks at heights while using proper PPE.
• At times, perform work that requires the use of fall-protection, but only after full completion of MPC provided training.
• Demonstrated success in working in a team-oriented environment, working effectively with others, and ability to work independently.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; organized, highly motivated.
• Experience in PC based email software, such as Outlook.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License.

Abilities Required:

• Ability to work in a public park with a high degree of public interaction.
• Ability to perform heavy, physical labor daily in all weather conditions repeatedly throughout a workday and work week.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. repeatedly throughout a workday and work week.
• Sufficient strength, stamina, and manual dexterity to operate power equipment throughout a workday, repeatedly in a work week.
• Must be able to bend, crouch, repel, kneel, stand, walk and perform various types of manual labor for extended periods of time throughout the workday, repeatedly in a work week.

Safety Requirements:

Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and follow federal, state, and local safety regulations. Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities. Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways). If an employee discovers a potentially dangerous condition, they should alert other employees and notify their supervisor immediately.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Compensation:

This is an hourly non-exempt position; range is $16.00-20.00 per hour. Benefits include full medical, dental and vision benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, and 401k retirement plan.