Individual Placement-Alaska- Kenai Fjords National Park Invasive Plant Management

Student Conservation Association•Seward, AK

13h•Onsite

About The Position

Work in Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward, AK assisting biologists and natural resource managers with inventory, monitoring, and control of invasive terrestrial plants. This position is focused on working to stop the spread of invasive species in Kenai Fjord National Park and support healthy ecosystems. You will work primarily with a small field crew to complete these surveys but will on occasion work with community partners and volunteers to complete this work. This position will require occasional overnight travel and camping to access more remote locations within the park.

Requirements

Ability to live and work in remote areas with limited amenities.
Personal, work, or academic knowledge related to botanical identification or natural history.
Competency using Microsoft word and excel programs, and general computer literacy.
Be a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;
Be at least 18 years or older;
Have a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to obtain one;
Be willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks;
Ability to lift 50 lbs and walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, physical work for 8-10 hours per day
Ability to pass SCA’s background check

Nice To Haves

Ability to live and work in remote areas with limited amenities.
Personal, work, or academic knowledge related to botanical identification or natural history.
Competency using Microsoft word and excel programs, and general computer literacy.

Responsibilities

Perform identification of native and non-native plants.
Perform invasive plant removal using both hand pulling and chemical herbicide treatments (you will be trained on the proper methods).
Perform revegetation treatments in disturbed habitats.
Record data in both digital and paper formats with a high degree of precision.
Work in remote environments often in cold/windy/rainy/and buggy conditions. Often you will access sites by driving and hiking, but you will also travel to some field sites by boat.
Work closely with a small team towards a shared goal, with occasional time spent working alone.
Hike up to 10 miles per day on rough terrain where there are no trails, and may be thick brush and steep hills, while carrying a pack weighing up to 30 pounds.
Work, travel, and camp in bear habitat safely (you will receive proper training on best practices and carry bear deterrent in the field)
Demonstrate a commitment to service in environmental conditions that will include: cold/heat, smoke, bugs, high winds, wildlife, and a lot of precipitation.
Be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
Perform GIS data management and analysis.
Use technical flora to identify terrestrial plants.
Assist leading youth and adult volunteers in habitat restoration
Assist with writing reports and completing other documents related to work done.
Assist with other projects as needed (i.e. trail impact monitoring).