Research Support Staff (Vegetation Restoration Technician, 0078633T)

University of Hawaii • Honolulu, HI

27d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vegetation Restoration Technician implements field vegetation-management actions for the Army Natural Resource Program on O‘ahu Vegetation Restoration Field Team under the direction of the Vegetation Restoration Field Supervisor. Work includes invasive-plant identification, surveys and control; native-species collection and restoration; GPS or similar mapping; vegetation monitoring; and, secondarily, rare-species monitoring and threat control. The position follows program safety standards and procedures, participates in training and risk assessments, uses required personal protective equipment, and promptly reports safety incidents. Under supervisor oversight, the technician applies pesticides in compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

The technician supports field-team operations through fieldwork documentation, data collection, management and analysis, maintenance of gear, vehicles, yards and facilities, action review, logistics, and preparation of program deliverables such as reports, management plans, presentations, permit materials and pesticide-use documentation. The role may involve operations in unexploded-ordnance-affected areas, helicopter missions and other high-risk tasks, all conducted with safety and regulatory compliance. As experience grows, the technician is expected to work more independently and may train junior staff and volunteers, conduct risk assessments, and lead a natural-resource-management specialty area, including action review and data-quality control.

This is a full-time, temporary position at Schofield Barracks. It is annually renewable contingent on satisfactory performance and/or funding availability. The successful applicant must complete a DoD security check and required safety and pesticide certifications and training within the stated timeframes. The work requires a non-standard schedule and strenuous outdoor fieldwork, including hiking, backpacking and camping in rugged, remote terrain.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science or a related field, with zero years of progressively responsible professional experience managing biological resources in island ecosystems; or an equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience.
• Functional knowledge of vegetation-management principles, practices and techniques, including the ability to apply relevant concepts and terminology.
• Functional knowledge of principles, theories, laws, rules, regulations and systems associated with natural-resource management of biological resources.
• Ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes and resolve common vegetation-management problems involving biological resources.
• Ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in varied situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team members and individuals.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and use word-processing software, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint or other presentation software; statistical-analysis and graphing software; and ArcGIS or other geospatial database software.
• General knowledge of native and invasive plants in Hawai‘i, including identification, biology, natural history and threats.
• General knowledge of vegetation-management strategies and techniques, including invasive-plant control, herbicide use, handling, storage and reporting, and collection and reintroduction of common native plants.
• General knowledge of natural-resource-management strategies and techniques, native ecosystems, native and invasive animals, rare plants, collection and propagation practices, and ecosystem threats.
• Strong verbal and written communication, organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Familiarity with terrain navigation using maps, compasses and GPS.
• Must complete a Department of Defense security check for employment as an Army contractor, including a government security investigation and eligibility verification for access to unclassified information.
• Must possess First Aid/CPR certification or obtain it within three months of hire through provided training, and maintain certification throughout employment.
• Must complete helicopter safety courses within six months of hire.
• Must obtain and maintain State of Hawai‘i certification for application of restricted-use pesticides within six months of hire.
• Must complete online Hazard Communication training immediately after hire or before initial exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Must complete Unexploded Ordnance training within six months of hire and maintain it throughout employment.
• Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and be able to drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle in various conditions.
• Must be able to hike up to six miles per day carrying a 35-pound backpack, camp in rugged and remote areas for up to four days at a time, and work in strenuous outdoor conditions, including mud, extreme weather and steep terrain.
• Must comply with applicable RCUH, University of Hawai‘i and business-entity policies, procedures and training.
• Must be able to work a non-standard work schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Education and experience in programs managing rare and endangered species and ecosystems on Army lands in Hawai‘i.
• Knowledge of Department of the Army natural-resources programs and the policies and organizational contexts in which they are managed, especially safety and logistical requirements for planning field operations around Army training schedules.
• Familiarity with integrative techniques for inventorying, assessing and monitoring natural-resource assets, environmental impacts and their interrelationships.
• Familiarity with biological-database use and maintenance.
• Knowledge of plant-identification tools and resources.
• Proficient identification of native and non-native plants in Hawai‘i.
• Experience managing biological natural resources in Hawai‘i.
• Experience conducting vegetation management, including invasive-plant control, herbicide use, and collection and reintroduction of common native plants.
• Experience with rare-plant and/or animal management strategies, techniques and tools.
• Knowledge of invasive-animal management and control methods.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local environmental laws.

Responsibilities

• Implement vegetation-management field actions, including invasive-plant identification, surveys and control; native-species collection and restoration; GPS or similar mapping; vegetation monitoring; and, secondarily, rare-species monitoring and threat control.
• Follow safety standards and procedures, participate in training and risk assessments, wear required personal protective equipment, and report safety incidents promptly.
• Apply pesticides under the Vegetation Restoration Field Supervisor’s oversight and comply with environmental and safety regulations.
• Document day-to-day fieldwork; collect, manage and analyze data; maintain field gear, vehicles, base yards and facilities; review actions; and assist with logistics.
• Contribute to reports, management plans, presentations, permit applications and reports, and required pesticide-use documentation.
• Conduct operations in unexploded-ordnance-affected areas, support helicopter missions, and perform other high-risk tasks in compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
• With increased experience, work more independently and take on additional responsibilities, such as training junior staff and volunteers, conducting risk assessments, and leading a natural-resource-management specialty area, including action review and data-quality control.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level