Seasonal Habitat Maintenance Technician

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $17-18/hr 

Hours per week: 35-40 

Job Classification: Limited Term, Seasonal 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: June – October 15 

Location: Moose Hill, Sharon, MA (Home Office), Statewide

Please submit a cover letter with your application!

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

The Seasonal Habitat Maintenance Technician will support the Natural Resources team to maintain priority natural habitats across Trustees properties statewide with a focus on invasive plant control. Other activities may include installation of restoration plantings, vegetation assessments, and mapping.  

The Role:

As a Seasonal Habitat Maintenance Technician performs a suite of duties including herbicide application directly related to managing habitats and ecological resources including grasslands, early successional habitat (shrublands), fire-adapted habitats, exemplary natural community types and rare species habitat.  The position requires daily travel throughout the state.  While the position is based on 40 hours per week, due to the demands of seasonal fieldwork, unpredictable weather, and occasional overnight stays near field sites, a flexible schedule is required.  The Habitat Maintenance Seasonal Technician primarily works with and under the direction of the Habitat Specialist to support the Program’s priority management goals statewide.  

Specifically, you’ll:

• Apply herbicide to control invasive plant species within priority habitats. 

• Conduct other habitat management activities such as vegetation assessment and planting.   

• Support the Habitat Specialist in maintaining priority habitats that require routine maintenance or restoration including but not limited to grasslands and early successional habitats (approximately 2,000 acres across multiple properties).   

• Maintain current Pesticide Applicator CORE License  

• Use and maintain tools and herbicide equipment to achieve the above functions (e.g., mix, clean, etc.), following safety standards and BMPs.  

• Use GPS to document habitat management.  

• Assess success of management actions through vegetation surveys, photo-documentation, and other methods.  

• Communicate effectively with Trustees staff and visitors on management actions. 

This is a [full-time/part-time/seasonal/limited term] [exempt/nonexempt] position [(add hours/week)] reporting directly to [add title of manager].

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Required:  

• Massachusetts Commercial Pesticide Applicator (CORE) License or willingness to obtain.  

• Experience with habitat management, natural resources management, horticulture or similar experience.   

• A valid driver's license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy.  

• The ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions and perform physically strenuous duties including traversing steep slopes with a backpack sprayer.  

• The ability to lift /carry 50 pounds.  

• Preferred: 

• Ability to identify common invasive plants. 

• Knowledge of invasive plant control methods including herbicide applications. 

• The desire to take initiative and solve problems.  

• Strong communication skills.  

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Sui