Nature & Purpose of the Position
The Pierce Conservation District works with local landowners and public agencies to conserve natural resources that are essential to both our economy and our region’s quality of life. We collaborate with our community to improve water quality, recover wildlife habitat, promote sustainable agriculture, and create a just food system. This AmeriCorps member will work within the Habitat Improvement and Climate Resiliency realms of our work.
About the Pierce Conservation District
Pierce Conservation District is government that works. We work strategically and passionately to conserve and restore the natural resources of Pierce County. Our work improves both rural and urban communities to benefit the health and well-being of our citizens. We work in five core program areas: Farm Assistance, Water Quality Improvement, Habitat Restoration, Urban Agriculture, and Environmental Education. The District works for clean water, healthy soil, salmon recovery and local food access for all. When you join the Pierce Conservation District, you join a team of talented and committed people who are mission-driven and care deeply about improving our environment and our community.
Primary Job Responsibilities
- The knotweed control program was established several years ago to enhance salmon habitat on a watershed scale by eradicating damaging knotweed plants from select river systems. This is primarily accomplished through targeted herbicide applications and native plant installations for landowners in the Upper Nisqually and South Prairie watersheds. Our AmeriCorps member will assist with the coordination of running these programs. This may include research of knotweed and pesticide practices, developing partner/landowner resource and outreach materials, targeted outreach and coordination with landowners, providing coordination for treatment and planting crews, and implementing new file/data organization systems to support the work. (Habitat Team, 35% time)
- The invasive plant monitoring program will support existing weed control projects. By monitoring knotweed in our project areas, we are able to engage in better project planning, adaptive management, and story-telling. Our AmeriCorps member will coordinate monitoring efforts conducted in the field using handheld GPS/data dictionary devices. This may include recruiting and leading volunteers to implement monitoring work, conducting monitoring in conjunction with the knotweed treatment crew, integrating similar data from partners, and analyzing/presenting data. Monitoring program work will often take place along rural and heavily-forested streams in remote locations and difficult terrain. (Habitat Team, 15% time)
- The native plant sale program is a not-for-profit sale which delivers ecological awareness and accessible native plants to our community members each year. Our AmeriCorps member will assist in the outreach, event preparation, and volunteer management components of this program. (Habitat Team, 5% time)
- The climate resiliency program is launching from a foundation in the rural area. Services to farms under the Climate Resiliency Program include free energy conservation workshops, technical assistance in renewable energy projects and grant writing, and reframing existing work to include topics related to the changing climate. The AmeriCorps member will be spending a part of their time to help anchor topics related to climate into existing programs. This may include updating outreach materials, adding workshop offerings, or direct contact with farmers to identify opportunities to lower their carbon footprint. (Farm Team, 25% time)
- Outreach related to agricultural assistance – Our AmeriCorps member will coordinate workshops based off of demand in the agricultural community. This would include a survey to capture desired workshop topics, interviews with partner organizations, and immersion in farmer events in Pierce County. (Farm Team, 20% time)
Qualifications
Required:
- Understanding of and belief in Pierce Conservation District mission
- Knowledge of water quality, ecosystem, restoration, science, and environmental education concepts
- Represent Pierce Conservation District in a professional and upstanding manner
- Ability to multitask and manage multiple priorities across different teams and supervisors
- Excellent organization, including event and meeting planning and facilitation, data tracking & management, and report writing
- Proficient in written and oral communication, addressing a wide variety of topics and audiences; particularly explaining conservation practices and preparing resource materials and reports
- Effectively plan and organize own schedule of activities related to service goals set by both the Habitat and Farm Teams, sometimes with limited direction
- Comfortable working in/near streams, through dense vegetation and difficult terrain, in adverse conditions, and in remote locations
- Must understand, support, and advocate for Pierce Conservation District’s selective use of pesticides in restoration activities. Must be willing to serve in close proximity to pesticide applications activities
- Ability to quickly learn and distinguish specific native and invasive plant species in the field, and to thoroughly inventory them in surveys
- Knowledge or ability to quickly learn basic functions of ArcGIS and Collector
- Strong attention to detail
- Willing to serve a variable schedule (with notice), including frequent 10-hr days in summer (M-Th, 7 am – 5:30 pm)
- Vehicle and valid driver’s license, ability to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles
Preferred:
- Experience with identification, ecology, and management of noxious weeds
- WSDA Pesticide Operator’s license
- Experience with databases and ArcGIS
Compensation
- AmeriCorps stipend
- Childcare Assistance if eligible
- Personalized professional development and long-term career planning opportunities
- Health coverage
- Education award upon successful completion of service
- Access to fresh fruits and vegetables during the growing season
To Apply
Follow the “Apply Now” link and fill out the form, complete with three (3) professional references.
Applications Open Until: 5:00 p.m. on August 31st, 2018
Projected Start Date: October 1st, 2018