Environmental Restoration Technician

Position Summary

The Environmental Restoration Technician supports natural resource projects focused on salmon habitat enhancement ecological restoration and environmental stewardship. Work is conducted in multiple settings including Environmental Program restoration project sites along rivers and streams in marine environments and upland habitat. Under the general supervision of senior natural resource scientists the Environmental Restoration Technician performs hands-on fieldwork and assists with data collection monitoring and stewardship. This role may also provide field technician support for other Natural Resources Department projects related to fisheries wildlife marine biology and water alignment with the Natural Resources Departments mission this position contributes to protecting and enhancing the Tribes treaty-protected rights. This is a non-permanent position contingent on annual grant funding .

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Perform field activities including native plant installation invasive species control erosion control fish exclusion and restoration site preparation. Invasive species control shall include application of herbicide to non-native invasive and / or noxious weeds.

Ensure that project tasks for restoration sites are sequenced logically and that all necessary resources (equipment plants supplies etc.) for a restoration work task are available and ready for use.

Prepare plant materials for projects including sorting staging transporting and proper care and handling of nursery stock.

Operate hand tools power equipment herbicide application equipment and restoration equipment in a safe and responsible manner.

Collect field data on plants and animals including identification and mapping of weed distribution and extent using established protocols.

Monitor and document site conditions before during and after restoration activities.

Support site assessments including mapping photo documentation UAS and GPS data collection.

Perform routine maintenance and calibration of field equipment including routine cleaning of vehicles trailers equipment and tools to minimize spread of invasive species

Assist with preparation loading and transport of supplies tools and plant materials to job sites.

Help guide site activities and work collaboratively with project team members WCC DOC contractors landowners and project managers to meet environmental restoration objectives.

Contribute to project documentation by recording daily work logs and communicating observations to supervisors.

All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of basic ecological principals habitat restoration techniques salmon life history and natural resource management practices.

Knowledge of native and invasive plant species common to the region.

Knowledge of use care and maintenance of hand tools power tools and small equipment.

Knowledge of proper handling storage and planting techniques for nursey stock and plant materials.

Knowledge of environmental health and safety standards including use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Skill in performing physical field work including planting invasive species removal seining and fish exclusion.

Skill in operating small machinery and equipment such as brush cutters augers electrofishing equipment and backpack sprayers.

Skill in communicating effectively electronically orally by telephone and in writing with supervisors crewmembers and project partners.

Skill in time management organization and maintaining work quality in variable conditions.

Ability to work independently and as a part of a team to achieve restoration objectives.

Ability to read maps and plan sheets.

Ability to safely lift carry and move materials such as plants and equipment.

Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in inclement weather conditions.

Ability to accomplish vegetation management including aquatic and non-aquatic herbicide applications and manual or mechanical control of native and non-native vegetation.

Ability to operate and maintain small gas-powered equipment.

Ability to follow detailed instructions and established protocols with consistency.

Ability to adapt to changing project priorities and field conditions.

Ability to maintain accurate records and contribute to project reporting.

Ability to perform reliably punctually and professionally in a field and office setting.

Work Environment

Environmental Restoration Technicians work in a variety of settings including outdoor environmental restoration sites natural habitats and office environments. This position requires frequent travel to project sites sometimes in remote locations and in varying weather conditions. Fieldwork will involve exposure to uneven terrain waterways construction zones and environmental elements such as heat cold rain and wind. Technicians should be comfortable working outdoors for extended periods and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required by the task and site safety protocols. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

• Constantly requires the ability to give and receive detailed information through verbal communication.
• Constantly requires verbally expressing or exchanging ideas or important instructions accurately loudly or quickly.
• Constantly requires working outdoors in variable weather and terrain.
• Constantly requires standing and walking.
• Constantly using hands and arms while handling plants tools and equipment.
• Frequently requires repetitive motions of fingers wrists hands and arms.
• Frequently requires work in dense vegetation streams and wet areas with exposure to insects heat pollen plant toxins construction equipment and other hazards.
• Frequently requires traversing uneven unstable and / or slippery terrain encountered at field sites; and traverse up down and across steep slopes.
• Frequently lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.
• Frequently requires moving objects from a higher to a lower position or moving objects horizontally.
• Frequently requires standing and / or sitting for sustained periods.
• Frequently requires repeated bending kneeling crouching and stooping which entails the use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Frequently requires walking hiking or moving about while carrying tools equipment and supplies to accomplish tasks.
• Occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally requires wading and / or swimming in moderate to swift current.
• Occasionally requires ascending or descending stairs or ramps using feet and legs and / or hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Position Qualifications

Required

High school diploma or equivalent.

Knowledge and experience in environmental and stream restoration salmonid life histories native plant identification and revegetation techniques.

Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resources Technician or equivalent environmental restoration experience.

One (1) year of experience performing aquatic or non-aquatic herbicide applications.

One (1) year of experience visually identifying Washington State native plants.

One (1) year of experience visually identifying Washington State nuisance and noxious weed species.

A drivers license and reliable transportation.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office for documentation scheduling and data tracking with a strong attention to detail.

The ability to acquire and maintain a valid Washington State Pesticide Applicators License.

Ability to pass a Pre-Employment Drug Test.

Preferred

A Bachelors degree with a major related to environmental sciences / natural resources OR an Associates degree in biology ecology natural resources or environmental studies.

Three (3) years of technical experience in environmental or riparian restoration.

Two (2) years of experience performing aquatic and non-aquatic herbicide applications.

Two (2) years of experience visually identifying Washington State native plants.

Two (2) years of experience visually identifying Washington State nuisance and noxious weed species.

Valid WSDA pesticide applicators license as a commercial operator and aquatic certifications or ability to obtain within 3 months.

Ability to use ArcGIS or similar geospatial program for creation and editing of maps and features.

Experience maneuvering a truck and trailer.

Wage : $26.89 / hr

Full Time Employees are eligible for :

Required Experience :

IC

Key Skills

Asbestos Abatement,Construction Experience,Data Collection,Environmental Services,Industrial Maintenance,Cleaning Experience,Mechanical Knowledge,OSHA,EPA,Excavator,EHS,Troubleshooting

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1