Seasonal Habitat Maintenance Technician

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $17-18/hour

Hours per week: 35-40 

Job Classification: Limited Term

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: June – October 15 

Location: Moose Hill, Sharon, MA (Home Office), Statewide

Please submit a cover letter with your application!

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

The Seasonal Habitat Maintenance Technician will support the Natural Resources team to maintain priority natural habitats across Trustees properties statewide with a focus on invasive plant control. Other activities may include installation of restoration plantings, vegetation assessments, and mapping.  

The Role:

As a Seasonal Habitat Maintenance Technician performs a suite of duties including herbicide application directly related to managing habitats and ecological resources including grasslands, early successional habitat (shrublands), fire-adapted habitats, exemplary natural community types and rare species habitat.  The position requires daily travel throughout the state.  While the position is based on 40 hours per week, due to the demands of seasonal fieldwork, unpredictable weather, and occasional overnight stays near field sites, a flexible schedule is required.  The Habitat Maintenance Seasonal Technician primarily works with and under the direction of the Habitat Specialist to support the Program’s priority management goals statewide.  

Specifically, you’ll:

• Apply herbicide to control invasive plant species within priority habitats. 

• Conduct other habitat management activities such as vegetation assessment and planting.   

• Support the Habitat Specialist in maintaining priority habitats that require routine maintenance or restoration including but not limited to grasslands and early successional habitats (approximately 2,000 acres across multiple properties).   

• Maintain current Pesticide Applicator CORE License  

• Use and maintain tools and herbicide equipment to achieve the above functions (e.g., mix, clean, etc.), following safety standards and BMPs.  

• Use GPS to document habitat management.  

• Assess success of management actions through vegetation surveys, photo-documentation, and other methods.  

• Communicate effectively with Trustees staff and visitors on management actions. 

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Required:  

• Massachusetts Commercial Pesticide Applicator (CORE) License or willingness to obtain.  

• Experience with habitat management, natural resources management, horticulture or similar experience.   

• A valid driver's license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy.  

• The ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions and perform physically strenuous duties including traversing steep slopes with a backpack sprayer.  

• The ability to lift /carry 50 pounds.  

• Preferred: 

• Ability to identify common invasive plants. 

• Knowledge of invasive plant control methods including herbicide applications. 

• The desire to take initiative and solve problems.  

• Strong communication skills.  

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite of applications 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy. [if needed]

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Have questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org!

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: Mass Sick Time 

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.