Restoration Assistant, (Intern)

Please note this a part-time temporary position that works up to 21 hours a week from early September to mid-December. A cover letter is recommended when applying for this position.


Summary: Works in partnership with Great Rivers Greenway(GRG) as a member of the Outdoor Leadership Corps, which is an education and workforce development program. Works to control, maintain, and restore ecological areas along the Greenways and at various GRG worksites throughout the greater St. Louis area. Assists with other site management, horticulture, and restoration duties as needed. Projects may include invasive species control, garden bed planting and maintenance, and community beautification. Greenway project locations may include woodland restoration, prairie reconstruction, streambank restoration, and wetland restoration.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Controls invasive plant species through the use of manual, mechanical, and/or chemical methods.
• Participates in native garden, woodland, and stream restoration efforts, by planting native plants, removing invasive species, and maintaining natural areas.
• Assists with tool prep and clean-up for all projects and workdays.
• Assists with maintaining database metrics to track management activities.
• Assists with regular site maintenance, operating manual and power equipment to maintain native gardens, restoration areas, and trails. Assists during GRG community engagement events. Providing correct information, processes, and positive interactions to community members
• Interacts with community members, volunteers, and other conservation professionals on a regular basis.
• Assists with the facilitation of community beautification projects along GRG Greenways including picking up trash, removing graffiti, and other tasks.
• Participates in planned professional development workshops and trainings.
• Uses herbicides while following proper safety protocols under the supervision of designated Garden employees with a valid Missouri Commercial Pesticide Applicator license
• Uses herbicides while following proper safety protocols as directed by Conservation Education Instructor and Supervisor.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards.
• Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.


Core Competencies

• Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
• Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
• Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
• Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
• Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.


Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum one year related experience strongly preferred; strong plant identification skills and familiarity with invasive species and native flora of the lower mid-west preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with project topics including: invasive species removal, native pollinator garden maintenance, community beautification, and environmental stewardship projects.
• Experience with the safe use of landscaping equipment including loppers, shovels, hand-saws, cultivator, and more.
• Experience with the use of computers for data recording and management.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests.  All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date.  The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines.  When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.


Education:

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent required; some college and/or professional training preferred.
• An