Restoration Monitoring Assistant

The Nature Conservancy•Charlottesville, VA

22d•$21 - $21

About The Position

The Restoration Monitoring Assistant performs ecological monitoring, vegetation identification, data entry, data analysis, and report writing. The Restoration Monitoring Assistant will be responsible for monitoring ecological conditions for wetland and stream compensation projects completed through the Virginia Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program (SWMP). SWMP is a partnership between The Nature Conservancy in Virginia (TNC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) that provides a form of compensatory mitigation through preservation, restoration, creation or enhancement of wetlands, streams, upland buffers, or other aquatic resources in Virginia. The Restoration Monitoring Assistant works collaboratively with TNC’s Restoration Ecologist in both the field and office. Primary responsibilities include assistance with ecological monitoring, data entry, data analysis, and report writing. Ecological monitoring tasks include identifying plant species, estimating plant community coverage and height, evaluating stream features, and providing photo documentation within monitoring plots. The Restoration Monitoring Assistant is responsible for collecting and analyzing information in the field, entering data into data forms and spreadsheets, and analyzing this data to assist with the development of compliance reporting that is required by the regulatory agencies. During weeks when fieldwork is not being conducted, hours can be flexible.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and 1 year’s training in environmental science-related field or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Experience identifying plant species.
Experience collecting and coordinating ecological information from multiple sources into databases, including data entry and report production.
Experience working in outdoor settings in variable and sometimes physically challenging conditions.
Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software (Word, Excel).
Experience working closely with others in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

Ability to identify Virginia flora, including invasive plant species.
1 - 2 years’ training in environmental science-related field or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Knowledge of geomorphic, hydrologic and vegetation monitoring techniques and protocols for streams and wetlands.
Understanding of the development and implementation of ecological monitoring protocols to evaluate site restoration performance.
Experience in analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing a variety of data including Excel tables and hydrology graphs.
Experience with GPS applications.
Demonstrated experience in accomplishing tasks in an orderly, organized manner and keeping organized files and records.
Ability to obtain driver’s license and maintain a good driving record.
Ability to follow instructions from colleagues/coworkers/team members.
Ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means.
PC and/or mobile device familiarity, including database knowledge or understanding.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.