The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (Forest Society) is seeking a summer field technician for its Reservation Stewardship Department. This full-time, temporary (12 wk) position provides field support for the Forest Society’s Reservation Stewardship department during the busy summer field season. Work is primarily outdoors, and includes regular monitoring and stewardship tasks (trail work, signage installation, property clean up, monitoring of encroachments) on Forest Society reservations, as well as basic visitor outreach. This position works both independently on field assignments, as well as on group stewardship and recreation tasks with Forest Society staff and volunteers.
This is a full time, temporary, 12 week position with flexible start and end dates. Significant driving is required, with mileage reimbursed at the federal rate.
If you’re interested in learning new skills and spending your summer outdoors on conservation land, email a resume, cover letter and references to Dylan Summers, Stewardship Projects Manager at dsummers@forestsociety.org by April 1st, 2024.
The Forest Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
No phone calls please.
RESERVATION STEWARDSHIP FIELD TECHNICIAN
Reports to: Stewardship Projects Manager
Hourly rate: $18/hr, plus mileage
This position is Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Temporary (12 weeks)
Position Summary:
This seasonal position provides field support for the Forest Society’s Reservation Stewardship department during the busy summer field season. Duties include regular monitoring and stewardship tasks (trail work, signage installation, property clean up, monitoring of encroachments) on Forest Society reservations, as well as basic visitor outreach. This position works both independently on field assignments, as well as on group stewardship and recreation tasks with Forest Society staff and volunteers. This is a full time, temporary, 12 week position with flexible start and end dates.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Visitor Outreach and Monitoring at Merrimack River Outdoor Education & Conservation Area (Concord)
- Encourage visitors to follow reservation use guidelines and explain rationale behind guidelines
- Promote Leave No Trace principles and responsible recreation
- Provide helpful assistance to visitors about trail network, use guidelines, recreational opportunities
- Monitor and maintain parking area and trails; pick up and remove trash and dog waste
- Replace and/or maintain signage, trail maintenance
- Identify and remove invasive plants; contain poison ivy via non-toxic management (vinegar spray)
- Monitor and water tree plantings
Visitor Outreach and Monitoring at Grafton Pond Reservation (Grafton, NH)
- Encourage visitors to follow reservation use guidelines and COVID-19 guidelines; explain rationale behind guidelines
- Promote “Clean-Drain-Dry” boats entering pond to prevent spread of invasive aquatic species
- Promote Leave No Trace principles and responsible recreation
- Provide helpful assistance to visitors about trail network, use guidelines, recreational opportunities, and best practices for encounters with wildlife
- Monitor and maintain parking area, trails, shoreline and islands; pick up and remove trash
- Replace and/or maintain signage
- Collect donations from iron ranger and deliver to Conservation Center
Assist Forest Society Staff with general stewardship tasks including but not limited to:
- Installing signage on forest reservations and trails
- Field reconnaissance and reporting/resolving issues, including downed trees/limbs, trail maintenance problems, unauthorized uses, dumped items, or potential boundary encroachments
- Assist staff with running volunteer group workdays to accomplish larger stewardship or trail maintenance tasks
- Assist with planning and implementing Monadnock Trails Week (week long volunteer trail maintenance event at Mount Monadnock)
- Support Mt. Major Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program volunteers as needed
- Other duties as assigned
OuterSpatial Mobile Trails App
- Collect field data using mobile device (points, tracks, photos) for use in creation of interpretive outings available on the Forest Society’s mobile trails app
- Create interpretive outings using OuterSpatial Manager
- Assist with adding and improving content on OuterSpatial mobile trails app
Contributions/Outcomes:
This position provides the capacity for the Reservation Stewardship department to accomplish the many smaller recreational and stewardship related field tasks that arise during the course of the field season. It will allow the Forest Society to improve engagement and recreational experiences for visitors through installation of better trailhead signage and development of our mobile trails navigation and interpretation app. The position also increases our capacity to hold group volunteer workdays to accomplish larger stewardship tasks on forest reservations.
Opportunities for Educational Growth:
- Technician will receive training visitor outreach, Leave No Trace principles, and trail maintenance techniques
- Will develop collaborative working and problem solving skills interacting with public, other staff, and volunteers
- Will have opportunities to see how one of the nation’s leading land trusts operates, through participation in workdays and events, and job shadowing
Qualifications and Skills required:
- At least 18 years of age
- Background/education in recreation management, environmental education, forestry, natural resource management or related field
- Self-motivated individual with an outgoing and friendly personality, strong public communication skills, and outdoor skills
- Exhibits good judgment, self-confidence, cool temperament, and conflict resolution skills
- Previous experience with trail maintenance desirable
- Valid Driver’s License, reliable transportation, home computer with internet access (for remote work), and a smartphone for recording field data
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to hike steep terrain on and off-trail, carrying ~30lbs of gear
- Ability to work independently outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, and navigate off trail with a survey/map and compass and/or GPS app
- Ability to use hand tools and power tools (cordless drill, impact driver) safely and efficiently
Working Conditions:
- Candidate will spend most days working in the field, often independently
- This position will involve significant driving to field sites throughout New Hampshire (travel reimbursed at standard mileage rate)
- Field work will be in a variety of environmental and weather conditions. On and off-trail navigation in forests is often required
- 30-40 hours per week, flexible schedule with occasional weekend work
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The Forest Society is an equity-based employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or and other protected status as required by applicable law.