Nature Conservancy

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title	Rare Species Technician
Job Number/Grade	Internship
Location	Sheffield, MA
Status	Full time (35 hours/week), Temporary, Onsite housing available
Dates	10 weeks: June 12, 2023 – August 18, 2023 (some flexibility in start & end date)
How To Apply	Submit Cover Letter & Resume via email to Angela Sirois-Pitel ([email protected]) – Subject: Rare Species Technician

 

A LITTLE ABOUT US

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.orq or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Rare Species Technician will implement a variety of fieldwork and associated data management for rare species conservation on Conservancy preserves within western Massachusetts. Primary duties include using radio-telemetry to document weekly turtle movements and deployment and management of wildlife camera traps. This field work will be critical to a long-term study on turtle populations and understanding how recent habitat management activities are influencing movements. It will also be supporting novel implementation of wildlife camera traps designed to capture small animal movements. The Rare Species Technician will be responsible for associated data entry and management, including photo management, and enter observation data into both ESRI GIS systems and Microsoft Excel, as well as summarize their findings in a final report. They will implement this work under supervision of the local stewardship and restoration team as well as state agency partners, but will also be expected to complete independent field work regularly.  Time and opportunity permitting, this position will also be invited to support other stewardship and preserve management activities in western Massachusetts including boundary monitoring, invasive plant mapping, habitat restoration activities using hand tools and trail work.

This is a full-time, 10-week, temporary position that begins in early June 2023 and ending in late August 2023.

Shared housing (private bedroom) is available, as part of our mixed-use office space

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Conducts rare species monitoring (plants and animals) and data collection via field surveys, radiotelemetry, and wildlife cameras in wetlands, fields and forest.
• Responsible for detailed data collection, data entry and management in various systems including GIS and Excel.
• Responsible for reviewing and managing wildlife camera photo records and creating reports.
• Assist with constructing additional wildlife camera bucket traps and fine-tuning deployment guidelines and protocols.
• Complete assigned field work both independently and with team.
• Assists with office and stewardship operations and other special projects as needed.
• Housing is available in exchange for light property maintenance and projects. Accommodations are part of our mixed-use office space in Sheffield, MA. Shared common space with private bedroom.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma and 1 year’s training in science-related field or related experience in land management or equivalent combination.
• Experience identifying plant and animal species.
• Experience with mobile technology (tablets or smartphones) and interpreting mapped information.
• Experience recording biological data and working in spreadsheets.
• Requires ability to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Requires physical exertion and/or muscular strain, long hours in isolated settings, and presents frequent possibility of injury.
• Requires valid driver’s license.

 DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience.
• 1 – 2 years training in science-related field or related experience in land management.
• Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions including hiking over rough terrain for extended periods of time, lift and carry up to 40 pounds, and be willing to work outdoors sometimes in foul weather; ability to navigate in the field.
• Communicates effectively in person and in writing with a wide variety of people, including preserve neighbors, private landowners, partners, and volunteers.
• Experience with Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of, and demonstrated experience with, a GPS unit- to find and mark field locations. Experience with ESRI software is helpful.
• Knowledge and familiarity with New England geography, natural history, environmental science.
• Access to personal car and experience driving a pickup truck is helpful.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES

Builds Relationships	Builds productive relationships by interacting with others in ways that enhance mutual trust and commitment.
Collaboration & Teamwork	Works collaboratively with stakeholders across levels, geographies, backgrounds, and cultures to improve decisions, strengthen commitment, and be more effective.
Communicates Authentically	Communicates proactively and in a timely manner to share information, persuade, and influence with the appropriate level of detail, tone, and opportunities for feedback.
Develops Others	Takes ownership to help develop others’ skills, behaviors, and mindsets to help them maximize their workplace contributions.
Leverages Difference	Demonstrates commitment to harnessing the power of differences strategically; consistently sees, learns from, and takes strategic action related to difference; and demonstrates the self-awareness and behaviors to work across differences of identity and power respectfully and effectively with all stakeholder. Actively seeks to build and retain a diverse workforce and fosters an equitable inclusive workplace by drawing upon diverse perspectives.
Systems Leadership	Thinks and acts from a broad perspective with a long-term view and an understanding of 1) the dynamic nature of large-scale challenges and 2) the need for integrating five key practices: skillfully engaging appropriate people; providing a clear process for change; taking a holistic view of situations; focusing on a small number of strategic actions, while learning from and adapting them over time; and being aware of how one’s own thinking or patterns of behavior may be limiting change.

 

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.