Lead Field Technician

Job Description

Grassland loss is the single greatest conservation issue currently facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southeastern grasslands are nearly extinct, and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southeastern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. What will the next 25 years bring? As a conservation community, we are only now realizing how extensive our grasslands once were. If we want to reverse the tide of grassland biodiversity loss, our response must be rapid and unparalleled in its magnitude. This is an immensely complex and ambitious challenge that will take some of the brightest and most creative minds in American conservation and philanthropy to solve. Are you ready to join the Southeastern Grasslands Institute's team?

Austin Peay State University's (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time Lead Field Technician position to study and restore native grasslands on National Parks across the Eastern United States as part of our Grasslands Restoration Team. The Lead Field Technician will be responsible for coordinating daily work duties for their team of field technicians and communicating project updates and needs with SGI's Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator. The Lead Field Technician will collect baseline data from grassland remnants and identify grassland "reconstruction" sites at a diverse array of National Parks across the Eastern U.S., as well as carry out restoration and land management work from all sites. This position will travel extensively, along with two other Field Technicians, throughout the year, often working an alternative work schedule to reach the different project areas (up to 90% of time will be spent in the field), with overnight stays and travel expenses covered by grant funds. This position will be remotely based in the Blacksburg and/or Roanoke, Virginia areas. The Lead Field Technician will directly report to SGI's Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead all restoration, documentation, and mapping activities of various grassland habitats in National Parks across the Eastern U.S.
• Implement grassland restoration and reconstruction projects in National Parks across the Eastern U.S. (ie, site preparation, invasive species management, herbicide application, seed collection, planting of restoration seed mixes, and more).
• Plan weekly fieldwork activities with the Project Director and the Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.
• Coordinate and lead daily project activities for the team of field technicians.
• Communicate project updates and needs with the Project Director and Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.
• Assist in gathering written, photographic, and GIS data for each project location.
• Assist with preparing maps using GIS software.
• Read relevant materials and protocols.
• Participate in regular team meetings and SGI staff meetings.