Job 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: 

• Support other field staff on seasonal and routine vegetation management, including tree felling and bucking as hazard and public safety mitigation, and serve as the default amongst all other field staff for meeting annual work plan objectives regarding vegetation
• Lead seasonal land stewards and volunteers, as assigned, in routine vegetation maintenance andelements of forestry and/or habitat project implementation.
• Assist the Forester in research, data collection, and computation and data entry including, but not limited to, cruise plot installation and inventorying, silvicultural assessments, and invasive species assessments.
• Assist the Forester in forestry and habitat project development as assigned.
• Serve as assistant lead to the Forester (including volunteer management) for designated forestry and habitat project implementation, maintenance, and documentation including, but not limited to, invasive species treatment plan implementation, habitat and restoration project site preparation and implementation, agroforestry, prescribed burn field assistance, and tree felling and bucking as a management prescription such as timber stand improvement.
• 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.
• Support other staff in conservation easement responsibilities in regard to forestry, habitat, and boundary lines as assigned.
• Assist the Forester in GIS-based data collection, mapping, and ground-proofing including supporting other areas of the Stewardship program (such as access, passive recreation,   education and engagement, etc.) as overlapping elements of a forestry and/or habitat assessment and/or prescription.
• Maintain invasive species treatment records.
• Keep current knowledge and certification of, use, and maintain program records for herbicide treatments.
• Maintain forestry tools including shared maintenance of all other program field tools.
• Assist Sr. Preserves Manager and Regional Preserves Managers with any and all routine and project needs for preserves as assigned.
• Assist any and all Conservancy programs including, but not limited to, attending and working organization events and fundraisers as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Required:

• Degree in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Wildlife Management, or other related field; familiarity with forestry and wildlife management
• 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 operating and maintaining mechanized equipment including UTVs and 4WD
• Experience working alone and self-directed as well as in collaboration with others toward a single or multiple simultaneous objectives to achieve program
• 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
• Proficient in identification of native and common non-native flora
• Familiarity with tree planting techniques and maintenance of established tree planting sites.
• Familiarity with wildlife management
• Proficient in reading a property survey, legal description, and using a compass for orienteering and boundary line
• Experience installing timber cruise plots as well as using and maintaining tools necessary to perform timber cruise
• Proficient with Microsoft Suite
• Proven experience with ArcGIS desktop and mobile
• Valid red card (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

Preferred:

• Arborist
• Chainsaw operation and safety certification (i.e. Game of Logging or similar training program).
• Experience loading/unloading and hauling heavy
• Knowledge of essentials of wildlife biology, habitat conservation, Endangered Species Act, and ecological risk
• Experience with prescribed

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.

How to Apply

Interested, qualified applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Eric Roper, Forester at [email protected] . Please list your last name and 'NRT' as the email's subject line (i.e. LastnameNRT). Application deadline is 11:59pm on January 21, 2024. Preferred position start is Monday, April 1, 2024.

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: See posting for details.

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