Invasive Species Control Technician (2 positions)

Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District (Lincoln SWCD) serves Lincoln County communities and residents of the central Oregon coast by providing assistance to implement resource conservation, watershed restoration and habitat enhancement projects to improve and conserve natural resources on agricultural, forested, private, urban and rural lands.

Position Overview:

This position focuses on nonnative invasive plant control and prevention throughout beautiful, coastal Lincoln County. Technicians will work with the program manager and technician leader to treat and monitor Japanese, Giant, and Himalayan knotweed throughout riparian and floodplain areas using an herbicide based system. Crews will also perform manual and herbicide based control of other species at special project sites. Crews may also inventory additional nonnative plant species.

Field work will be done by canoe/kayak, (occasional motor boat) and on foot and by vehicle along some of Oregon's most beautiful coastal creeks and rivers and coastal headlands. This position will also involve daily equipment cleaning and maintenance; office work including calling landowners, updating an electronic database, and completing required paperwork. For more information and photos about the knotweed control project click the invasive species link at www.lincolnswcd.org.

Qualifications:

Candidates need to demonstrate experience and capability of working in a physically high-challenging stream/outdoor environment using heavy equipment on difficult terrain (slippery cobbled stream channels, steep brushy areas) and ability to neatly document detailed information of treatment sites with hand drawn maps and good handwriting. Comfort interacting with private landowners (some not always courteous) concerning access to their property and use of herbicides with professionalism is needed. Plant identification experience is preferred as is prior use of GPS technology, aerial photos, and topographic maps.

Job Conditions:

Field work can be very strenuous at times especially when working with watercraft. Typical coastal stream conditions are very shallow requiring dragging canoes/kayaks full of equipment (80-100 lbs) along certain reaches. Use of waders and backpack herbicide sprayer (up to 45 lbs), on very slippery uneven cobble rivers with down trees is common. Use of machetes for passage through thick vegetation is needed at times. Organization of information on numerous sites, working with landowners and documentation of treatment can be challenging mentally. Our office is centered in Newport, Oregon, which is a very popular tourist location in summer months. Finding temporary housing can be difficult but the program manager is happy to help you relocate.

Requirements:

Upon hire, technicians will acquire a Public Herbicide Applicator Trainee license (no exams required). This position requires the use of herbicides (herbicides we use are relatively safe, no more than mild eye irritants following appropriate use). No prior experience with herbicide is needed. Applicants are required to provide a personal vehicle that can transport a minimum of 2 people for this position including a valid insurance, a good driving record. You are not required to transport herbicide in your vehicle. Only vehicles with lockable storage (truck with canopy or car with large trunk) separated from occupant area will be allowed to transport herbicides and related equipment. Mileage will be reimbursed for field work at the state standard rate. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

As a Condition of Employment: Employee is required to maintain a drug/alcohol free workplace in accordance with the 1988 Drug Free Workplace Act and Department Policy.

Compensation: $13/hr + mileage compensation

Employment Period:

• Position 1: July 11-Sept 30th (possibly later), 2011
• Position 2: July 11-Oct 31st (possibly later), 2011

Status: Temporary, At Will Employee, 40 hours/wk

Opening/Closing Date: April 21th - May 23, 2011

To Apply:

Candidates must provide a detailed resume, a completed job application, and a cover letter (1 page or less) discussing your applicable experience based on a detailed job description provided in the application packet. Interested candidates should inquire via email for an application packet.

Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District
23 N. Coast Hwy
Newport OR. 97365

The Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.