Lower Deschutes Cooperative Weed Management Area is currently seeking job applicants for full time employment as a seasonal habitat restoration technician.

The Lower Deschutes CWMA is a partnership among Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Sherman County Weed District, Sherman County Soil and Water Conservation District, Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and multiple private landowners.

The Lower Deschutes CWMA exists to foster and support collaborative habitat management between public land managers and private landowners.  With the goal to maintain, restore, and enhance the ecosystem of the Lower Deschutes River, re-vegetation projects coupled with a long-term weed management plan will be vital in formulating effective strategies to help the program succeed.  By providing weed education and public outreach, the Lower Deschutes CWMA will help bring awareness to a habitat issue that has no boundaries, while providing opportunities for long term success.

The Deschutes River was designated an Oregon Scenic Waterway in 1970 and a Federal Wild and Scenic River in 1988. The river runs through a deep rim rock-lined canyon that ranges from 900 feet to 2,600 feet in depth. Within this canyon you will experience an incredible geologic and cultural history among a diverse community of fish, wildlife and vegetation. The Deschutes River is an increasingly popular river for all kinds of recreationists. Thousands of people visit each year to enjoy its incredible fishing, exciting whitewater, and beautiful scenery. The river offers a variety of opportunities for both day and overnight trips. Recreational activities include boating, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking.

Positions available:  Three candidates including one crew leader will be hired to work approximately 35 weeks beginning March 2019 through October 2019.  The crew leader will be responsible for leading the crew into the field to accomplish daily/multi-day efforts.  The crew leader will work closely with the Program Coordinator to determine best management strategies to accomplish program objectives in the most efficient and effective manner possible.  The crew leader must be able to safely carry out the transportation and logistical challenges commonly encountered while working in remote areas with limited access.

Location: Main office is located in Moro, Oregon. All field work is done on the lower 43 miles of the Deschutes River.

Primary job duties:  You will be working on a post-fire habitat restoration project managing noxious weeds in Bighorn Sheep and Salmon habitats. Surveying and treating noxious weeds within the Deschutes river corridor as part of a team, measuring/mixing and applying herbicides, using ArcGIS and other mapping software for treatments and surveys of noxious weed infestations, re-seeding and re-vegetation, whitewater rafting, overnight camping, Facebook, website, and social media updates.

Qualifications: Applicants must be capable of performing physically demanding labor in a backcountry setting for 10 hours a day, 4 days a week. Applicant should expect to hike extended distances on steep, rough terrain while carrying up to 40 lbs. Candidates should have a solid understanding of the flora and fauna respective to the high desert region of Central Oregon.  Rangeland work will be performed in an arid environment where fire danger is extreme, safety is paramount. Candidates will be required to properly identify targeted noxious weeds within their different growth stages.  Ideal candidates are willing to work in a variety of weather respective to central Oregon (high winds, extreme temperature fluctuations, rain, intense sunshine, etc.).  Applicants must be willing and enthusiastic about camping, rafting, & being outdoors.  Ideal applicants have an established interest in service and conservation issues and take joy in tackling challenging situations with a positive mindset.  Candidates should have experience using Microsoft Office programs, ie. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and experience using social media platforms, ie. Facebook.

Necessary Gear: sturdy boots, pants, and long sleeve shirts. Camping is often required and prospective technicians are expected to have camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, backpack, etc.).

Duties: Technician will work with a variety of staff, cooperators, and partners to support long-term invasive species control work.  You will employ early-detection/rapid response operations within the Deschutes River corridor focused on noxious weed control. The team of habitat restoration technicians along with the project coordinator will conduct multiple overnight camping and whitewater rafting expeditions to efficiently access and focus on high priority areas of noxious weeds.

The team will engage in a variety of projects, including the establishment of biocontrol treatments on invasive species, mechanical removal of invasive species, spot-spraying invasive plants in a rangeland ecosystem in both riparian and upland habitats, participating in a long term vegetative inventory/monitoring project, and mapping and inventorying priority areas.

This job is a great opportunity to work on a habitat restoration project specific to Bighorn Sheep and Salmon in their post-fire ecosystem.  You will receive training and experience with vegetative monitoring, IPM, noxious weed management, rangeland management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and working among a diverse group of public agencies, private landowners, and the general public.

Please visit our Facebook at Lower Deschutes CWMA or our webpage at www.lowerdeschutescwma.org

Interested candidates may apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to dson@shermancounty.net

Thank you for your interest.

Positions are open until filled, but are in high demand.  Apply now!