Natural Resource Technician

The Lancaster Conservancy is a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit land trust accredited by the Land Trust Alliance. The Conservancy has been successfully preserving and stewarding natural lands in Lancaster and York counties for over 57 years, culminating in a portfolio of 8,000+ acres across 50+ nature preserves and 900+ acres in conservation easements. Recently, the Conservancy has significantly increased its pace in preserving the remnants of forest and other natural landscapes within the Susquehanna Riverlands and Pennsylvania Highlands ecoregions of Lancaster and York counties. The Conservancy’s greatest success is its proven ability to connect individually preserved parcels into large conservation areas, and it has done so through strategic land acquisitions, stewarding existing forest, and restoring degraded ecosystems.

Position Description:

The Natural Resource Technician is a field-based position responsible for assisting the Conservancy’s Forester in seasonal and routine property maintenance and vegetation management as well as aspects of forestry and habitat project development and implementation, long-term maintenance, and documentation.

Primary Duties:

• Serve as assistant lead to the Forester (including volunteer management) for forestry and habitat project development, implementation, maintenance, and documentation as assigned and including, but not limited to: invasive species treatment plan implementation, habitat and restoration project site preparation and installation, agroforestry, prescribed burns, and tree felling and bucking for timber stand improvements and hazard tree mitigation
• Serve as the default amongst all other field staff for meeting annual work plan objectives regarding vegetation management
• Invasive species and competing vegetation control including manual and mechanical removal and/or chemical treatment while maintaining certification and knowledge of best management practices of use, storage, and record keeping of chemical applications
• Support other field staff on seasonal and routine vegetation management, including mowing, string trimming, pruning and shearing, as well as tree felling and bucking
• Lead seasonal land stewards and volunteers, as assigned, in routine vegetation maintenance and elements of forestry and/or habitat project implementation
• Load, transport, operate, and maintain equipment including hand tools and machines such as mowers and tractors
• Assist the Forester on preserve and conservation easement boundary line verification and installation and support other field staff in identifying and/or verifying boundary lines, concerns and considerations, and violations
• Assist the Forester in research, data collection, computation, ground-proofing and mapping, and data entry including, but not limited to: cruise plot installation and inventorying, silvicultural assessments, invasive species assessments, vetting concept plans for wholistic preserve and conservation easement decision-making and management
• Support other staff in conservation easement responsibilities regarding forestry, habitat, and boundary lines as assigned
• Assist Senior Preserves Manager and Regional Preserves Managers with all routine and project needs for preserves as assigned
• Assist all Conservancy programs including, but not limited to, attending and working organization events and fundraisers as assigned

Qualifications:

Required:

• Degree in Botany, Biology, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Wildlife Management, or other related field
• Proficient in identification of native and common non-native flora species
• Physically fit to carry up to 50lbs while hiking over uneven terrain, bending, and digging
• Proven field experience operating and maintaining hand tools and gas-powered tools including operating a chainsaw safely, effectively, and according to best management practices including a commitment to utilizing personalized protective equipment (as supplied)
• Proven field experience loading, transporting, operating, and maintaining mechanized equipment including: mowers, tractors, UTVs, and 4WD vehicles
• Experience working alone and self-directed as well as in collaboration with others toward a single or multiple simultaneous objectives to achieve program goals
• Experience performing field work with others including colleagues and volunteers in providing leadership as well as taking direction as necessary and appropriate as well as providing insight and instruction toward risk management
• Familiarity with tree planting and overseeding techniques and maintenance of established project sites
• Familiarity with wildlife management considerations
• Experience in reading a property survey, legal description, and using a compass for orienteering and boundary line identification
• Proficient with Microsoft Suite software
• Valid red card for prescribed burns (or willing to obtain red card within 1 year of employment)
• Valid herbicide applicators license (or be willing to obtain license within 6 months of employment) and willingness to utilize herbicide safely and according to laws and best practices
• Valid PA drivers license (or ability to obtain a PA license upon hire)
• Other activities as assigned

Preferred:

• Certifications such as Arborist, Wetland Delineator, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional, Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, etc.
• Chainsaw operation and safety certification (i.e. Game of Logging or similar training program)
• Knowledge of essentials of wildlife biology, habitat conservation, Endangered Species Act, and ecological risk assessment
• Experience with prescribed fire
• Experience installing timber cruise plots as well as using and maintaining tools necessary to perform timber cruise activities
• Experience with Landscape and/or ArcGIS/Field Maps desktop and mobile software

This is a full-time, hourly (40 per week), non-exempt position with competitive pay and benefits. The Lancaster Conservancy is headquartered in Lancaster City, PA. This position is field based and, as such, also works from satellite facilities and the option (as approved) to perform some work from home. This position requires work being performed on Conservancy preserves and conservation easements across Lancaster County and areas of York County. A work vehicle is provided.

Pay: $20 – $22/hr

Tagged as: Conservation