Job Announcement: Education and Restoration Specialist/Bulrush Coordinator
Accepting Applications now – September 12th
Position Title: Education and Restoration Specialist/Bulrush Coordinator
Location: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Ridgefield, WA
Date of Term: September 26th, 2016-September 15th, 2017
Hours: Full Time (40 Hours/Week), Training schedule is Monday-Friday (First Two Weeks), Normal work schedule is Tuesday-Saturday; Regular Saturday work is required.
Salary: $10.50/hr. September 26th, 2016-June 15th 2017/$14.14/hr. June 16th-September 15th, 2017. Health Care benefits are not included. No paid time off or paid holidays.
Housing: Shared housing may be available in government housing on the refuge.
Line of Responsibility: The Education and Restoration Specialist/Bulrush Coordinator is a Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (Friends) employee. This position is supervised by the Friends Executive Board and will be directed by and report to the Friends Habitat Restoration Coordinator, Friends Cathlapotle Plankhouse Coordinator, and the Refuge Park Ranger (see attached co-supervision guidelines document).
The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This position, its fiscal management and associated support, is bounded by a Cooperative Agreement (available upon request) between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge under the Habitat and Restoration Program.
Position Summary: The position begins as a paid internship focusing on the education and habitat programs. In June, the position transitions into coordinating the Ricefield Bulrush invasive project. The paid intern (Sept. 26th-June 15th) will recruit, train, and lead volunteers in habitat restoration programs at Ridgefield NWR and assist in the development, planning, scheduling, and implementation of education & interpretation programs at Ridgefield NWR. The Intern will spend significant time in the outdoors leading volunteer crews in habitat projects and invasive plant control. The Intern will also develop and maintain contacts with community organizations, schools and agencies, to recruit volunteers and coordinate event planning. The Intern will participate in community events and conduct other off site visits to present Refuge goals, education opportunities, and volunteer needs.
Summary: 40% Development, outreach, and providing education programs to students and others: 40% Leading volunteers and executing habitat restoration activities; 20% Volunteer recruitment, coordination, reporting, and community outreach. This is a paid intern job which will receive mentoring and on the job training and experience as an employee.
Bulrush Coordinator (June 16th-September 15th) will recruit, train and lead enough volunteers in the field to search and remove all bulrush plants from target areas. The Restoration Field Coordinator will also work independently to locate, record, and remove ricefield bulrush infestations. The Coordinator will document and map all work and produce a final report. This position will require use of a Refuge-owned ORUV/ATV (Off Road Utility Vehicle/All-Terrain Vehicle) for part of the season to conduct field searches. The Field Coordinator may also assist Refuge staff with other invasive removal projects for the Refuge Complex
Major Duties:
- Post and maintain regular outreach to recruit volunteers from college, school, online, business, and community resources.
- Lead volunteer field crews in habitat restoration projects including plantings, bulrush removal, invasive plant control, and other work.
- Assist in program development, outreach, and student field trips in education programs.
- Record and compile volunteer, restoration, and education program data.
- Assist in the creation/updating of the Refuge volunteer database.
- Organize and conduct volunteer invasive plant control events (lead volunteer field work parties-at least 2 each week with one held each Saturday) (during bulrush season)
- Complete project summary reports as needed.