Field Technician - Great Marsh

Mass Audubon • Newburyport, MA

3h • $19 - $20

About The Position

During spring, summer, and fall 2026, Field Technicians work as part of a large crew to restore resiliency to salt marsh habitats on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Under the direct supervision of the Lead Field Technician – Great Marsh and Wetland Restoration Coordinator, this position supports weekly and daily work plans and the implementation of nature-based salt marsh restoration techniques and invasive species removal. Duties include but are not limited to: 1) restoring salt marsh hydrology at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (PRNWR); 2) manually removing invasive Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)
from salt marshes and adjacent areas within the Great Marsh (coastal towns from Salisbury to Gloucester); 3) collecting monitoring data and utilizing mobile-based software. Field Technicians also participate in additional efforts on the PRNWR and Mass Audubon properties to support coastal resilience and restoration projects, represent both agencies with allied organizations, and assist with related data management and reporting.

Interviews will begin in early March for this position; final offers will be dependent on funding.

Requirements

• At least 18 years of age
• Work experience or formal education in ecology, coastal geology, hydrology, marine biology, biogeochemistry, botany, natural resource management, or other related disciplines appropriate to the position; or a combination of relevant education and appropriate experience
• A strong work ethic and interpersonal skills; ability to work well independently or on a team
• Willing to work occasional weekends for volunteer and outreach events
• Ability to interact with project partners and the public in a professional manner
• Enthusiastic about physical work to achieve conservation management outcomes and be physically able to lift 50 lbs., pull heavy sleds over long, uneven surfaces, and repeated bending and lifting
• Ability to work in difficult weather conditions (strong wind, rain, extreme temperatures) while maintaining appropriate safety protocols
• Ability to use technology on a mobile device or tablet

Nice To Haves

• Salt marsh and invasive plant identification skills
• Experience using ArcGIS Field Maps App
• Public outreach experience
• Field work experience in hydrology, geomorphology, and bird ID

Responsibilities

• Work within a team to implement salt marsh restoration
• Use walk-behind agricultural tractors and hand tools to cut and pack hay into ditches to accelerate healing process; in some cases, assist with digging shallow trenches (runnels) by hand.
• Work under the direction of the Wetland Restoration Coordinator and Lead Field Technician to hand pull perennial pepperweed and deliver it to appropriate drop-off locations
• Follow pre-established monitoring protocols to collect data using FieldMaps and ArcGIS Online.
• Work with volunteer groups
• Assist in other targeted habitat management and coastal resilience projects on Mass Audubon property, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and other locations in the Great Marsh
• Communicate with the public the work and goals of the project and allay potential concerns about the presence of the team and their work; be an ambassador for Mass Audubon’s mission
• Assist partners with projects happening throughout the Great Marsh to further gain field experience and assist with outreach related to saltmarsh restoration and/or habitat restoration

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed