Individual Placement- Mesic Restoration Technician at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge

Student Conservation Association•Lakeview, OR

6d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a member to serve as a Mesic Restoration Technician with the Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildfire Refuge Complex (USFWS). The primary project will be assisting Refuge Managers and Biologists with restoration of mesic resources on Complex Refuges, to include stream restoration and hydrology work (including installation of post-assisted log structures, beaver dam analogs, and other low-tech process-based restoration and Zeedyk structures), revegetation of wildfire-damaged and otherwise degraded riparian habitats, native seed collection and application, propagation of native woody riparian plants from local sources, conducting monitoring of mesic resources and restoration efforts, condition assessment and mapping of meadows and springs, and invasive species surveys, mapping, and treatment. The majority of work will be completed on Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge related to the Warner Peak Fire, which burned over 65,000 acres in 2024; however, work will also be done on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in relation to ongoing mesic management and reclamation efforts and other post-wildfire restorative efforts (i.e., for fires other than Warner Peak). While most work will focus on mesic resource restoration, the member may also assist with shrub-steppe habitat rehabilitation and wildlife surveys, to include sage-grouse lek counts, pika surveys, and pygmy rabbit surveys. The member will work alongside Refuge staff, other seasonal field technicians, and volunteers to complete their work.

Requirements

Interest in stream restoration and aquatic/hydrologic systems
Interest in botany and plant identification
Interest in fire ecology, restoration ecology, and wildland rehabilitation
Willingness to live remotely
Ability to utilize hand-held GPS units or mobile phones for navigation and/or data collection, along with basic computer skills
Ability to hike rough, rocky, and steep terrain
Ability to operate 4WD trucks on and off-road
Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record
Must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger.
Must be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor's degree in Conservation, Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field
Experience with low-tech process-based stream restoration
Knowledge and experience in operating off highway vehicles, which includes Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV)
Experience towing and backing up a trailer, and proper securement of loads

Responsibilities

Restoration of stream, spring, and meadow hydrologic functions and their associated vegetative communities and habitats
Installation of Post-Assisted Log Structures (PALS), Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs), and other Low-Tech Process Based Restoration (LTPBR) and Zeedyk structures
Stream crossing stabilization
Mesic revegetation and habitat rehabilitation, to include planting of native plant stock and application of native seed and seed mixes (both ground broadcast and hand)
Collection of native seed and other plant materials, and propagation of native woody riparian plants
Stream, meadow, spring and springbrook condition assessments and mapping
Monitoring of restoration and revegetation efforts
Photo point monitoring
Invasive species surveys, mapping, and treatment
Data management and entry
Assist in implementation of other post-wildfire restorative efforts (e.g., support, monitor, and evaluation of upland plant installation, application of upland native seed and seed mixes, monitoring of seed production phenology)
Bighorn sheep water source availability and habitat assessments
Bat monitoring and surveys
Sage-grouse lek counts
Other wildlife surveys
Report writing
Volunteer/outreach events
Assist with other routine Refuge management activities as necessary