Field Technician, Hawai'i Island

The Nature Conservancy•Big Island, OH

2d•$27 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

The Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program manages 12,800 acres at three TNC-owned preserves located on the southern slopes of Mauna Loa volcano in the districts of South Kona and Ka‘ū. The Field Technician will support stewardship priorities at each preserve and be based out of the Kona Hema Preserve where 23 miles of fences protect wet, mesic and seasonally mesic forest extending from 2,000 to 5,720 feet elevation. The Program office is located in Waiʻōhinu, Ka‘ū but this position will report to Honomalino. The Field Technician position requires an enthusiastic, motivated, action-oriented, self-starter to play an essential role in ecosystem threat abatement operations. These operations include surveying, mapping, monitoring, and controlling alien species and their impacts to forests and native ecosystems. The Field Technician must be able to camp in remote mountainous areas for up to five nights at a time each quarter in extremely rugged terrain and adverse weather conditions as well as do multiple day trips. The work environment involves exposure to job hazards where there is a high possibility of injury, including helicopter operations and handling firearms, so a commitment to safety is essential. The Field Technician will assist the Hawai‘i Island team and partners with all aspects of field operations and office support that may include fence construction/ surveys/ repairs, feral ungulate control, predator control, trail maintenance, alien plant removal, vegetation monitoring and baseyard, vehicle and equipment maintenance. The Field Technician will regularly use GPS in the field and download, compile and manage monitoring data with a spatial database to produce GIS summary maps, and will assist the Natural Resource Manager (NRM) with developing resource management plans and reports using a database or PC. The Field Technician may assist with leading volunteers and volunteer groups on service work events and help conduct outreach activities which include assisting with interpretive hikes, special events and educational field trips. Compliance with field safety protocols, preserve use policies, baseyard rules, and alien species cleanliness protocols is essential. The Field Technician must be able to communicate with hike participants and colleagues on field conditions and project status. This position is supervised by the Kona Hema Field Coordinator. The Field Technician is expected to manage their time well and effectively prioritize day-to-day operations. The Field Technician must communicate and write effectively. Night work while in the field and occasional weekend work may be required. Some remote office work may be required. This is a termed, full-time position with an estimated end date of August 10, 2028.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science-related or similar field and 1 year of related experience in Hawai‘i natural resources management or custodial and ecological land management (or equivalent combination of education and experience, such as an associates, technical or vocational degree and 3 years of related experience).
Experience with natural systems and cultural practices as they relate to land management in Hawaii.
Experience operating, using and repairing various types of equipment and machinery in a safe and efficient manner (e.g., machete, weed eater, chainsaw, two-way radio, GPS, etc.).
Ability to lift 50 lbs.
Experience performing physical work in remote rugged landscape, adverse conditions, during inclement weather, and at night.
Valid driver's license and good driving record.
Compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Must have a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.

Nice To Haves

Ability to recognize plant and animal species to complete preserve management activities.
Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers).
Communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.

Responsibilities

Support stewardship priorities at TNC-owned preserves.
Conduct ecosystem threat abatement operations including surveying, mapping, monitoring, and controlling alien species.
Camp in remote mountainous areas for up to five nights at a time each quarter in extremely rugged terrain and adverse weather conditions.
Perform multiple day trips.
Assist with fence construction/surveys/repairs.
Assist with feral ungulate control.
Assist with predator control.
Assist with trail maintenance.
Assist with alien plant removal.
Assist with vegetation monitoring.
Assist with baseyard, vehicle, and equipment maintenance.
Regularly use GPS in the field.
Download, compile, and manage monitoring data with a spatial database to produce GIS summary maps.
Assist with developing resource management plans and reports using a database or PC.
Assist with leading volunteers and volunteer groups on service work events.
Help conduct outreach activities including assisting with interpretive hikes, special events, and educational field trips.
Comply with field safety protocols, preserve use policies, baseyard rules, and alien species cleanliness protocols.
Communicate with hike participants and colleagues on field conditions and project status.
Manage time well and effectively prioritize day-to-day operations.
Communicate and write effectively.
Provide aid and respond to injuries by administering first aid or CPR while out working in the field or leading hikes.
Lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers with responsibility for training and development.
Network with diverse groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the public to meet program goals and gain support for the Conservancy.
Make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
Maintain a valid driver's license and good driving record.
Obtain licenses or certifications such as Wilderness First Aid/CPR, helicopter safety and sling load training, Hawai'i State hunting license, and commercial drone pilot license.