Conservation Technician
University of Nebraska Omaha Portal
On-site
Nebraska, United States
Essential Functions
Glacier Creek Preserve, managed by the Department of Biology at UNO , is seeking one individual to assist part-time with land management activities. The Conservation Technician will work as part of a team but may be asked to independently complete the following duties: 1) Mechanical and chemical control of invasive plant species, 2) Tree and brush cutting and clearing, 3) Assisting with prescribed fire operations, 4) Grounds maintenance, 5) General repair and maintenance of existing structures and equipment, 6) GPS data collection, 7) Assisting with seed collection, 8) Assisting with environmental and land management monitoring projects and equipment and, 9) Assisting with Volunteer workdays and other activities that relate to overall Preserve operations and management. The principal work site is UNO’s Glacier Creek Preserve, located at 14810 State Street, Bennington NE, 68007. Additional sites include T.L. Davis Preserve south of Elkhorn, NE, a ridgetop prairie and oak woodland habitat, and a field location south of Mead, NE where additional burn and mow research plots are maintained.
Additional Duties
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Physical Demands
In general, the physical demands include regularly operating electric/gas-powered tools, mowers, tractors, trucks, and UTVs, regularly standing, hiking and walking moderate distances on uneven terrain, and kneeling, lifting and carrying moderate to heavy objects. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Required Qualifications
· Applicants must be in good physical condition and willing to work outdoors. · Must be comfortable working in an outdoor environment where there is exposure to mosquitos, and other insects, tall vegetation, sun, wind and seasonally hot or cold temperatures. · Applicants must be able or willing to learn to safely use hand tools, including loppers, hand saws, weed eaters, and backpack sprayers. · Applicants must be able or willing to learn to safely mix and apply herbicides and pesticides. · Applicants must be able or willing to learn to safely use a tractor, UTV , 4 × 4 Ford F-250 truck, and various mowers and brush cutters. · Applicants must be able to safely use equipment independently. · Ability to attain Nebraska Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification with Forest Pest endorsement within 30 calendar days from start date.
Preferred Qualifications
· Must be punctual and reliable. · Applicants with prior land management experience. · Applicant with prescribed fire experience. · Applicants with a Nebraska Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification with Forest Pest endorsement. · Applicants with knowledge of maintenance and operation of gas-powered hand tools and off- road vehicles. · Ability to work independently and efficiently.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. This position regularly works outdoors most often in a prairie, wetland, or an agricultural environment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in the outdoor conditions described above.
Work Schedule
A consistent schedule of 20 hours/week with some flexible scheduling outside of regular hours may be required to meet land management and prescribed fire objectives. Regular hours will generally fit within a Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm schedule.
Glacier Creek Preserve, managed by the Department of Biology at UNO , is seeking one individual to assist part-time with land management activities. The Conservation Technician will work as part of a team but may be asked to independently complete the following duties: 1) Mechanical and chemical control of invasive plant species, 2) Tree and brush cutting and clearing, 3) Assisting with prescribed fire operations, 4) Grounds maintenance, 5) General repair and maintenance of existing structures and equipment, 6) GPS data collection, 7) Assisting with seed collection, 8) Assisting with environmental and land management monitoring projects and equipment and, 9) Assisting with Volunteer workdays and other activities that relate to overall Preserve operations and management. The principal work site is UNO’s Glacier Creek Preserve, located at 14810 State Street, Bennington NE, 68007. Additional sites include T.L. Davis Preserve south of Elkhorn, NE, a ridgetop prairie and oak woodland habitat, and a field location south of Mead, NE where additional burn and mow research plots are maintained.
Additional Duties
-
Physical Demands
In general, the physical demands include regularly operating electric/gas-powered tools, mowers, tractors, trucks, and UTVs, regularly standing, hiking and walking moderate distances on uneven terrain, and kneeling, lifting and carrying moderate to heavy objects. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Required Qualifications
· Applicants must be in good physical condition and willing to work outdoors. · Must be comfortable working in an outdoor environment where there is exposure to mosquitos, and other insects, tall vegetation, sun, wind and seasonally hot or cold temperatures. · Applicants must be able or willing to learn to safely use hand tools, including loppers, hand saws, weed eaters, and backpack sprayers. · Applicants must be able or willing to learn to safely mix and apply herbicides and pesticides. · Applicants must be able or willing to learn to safely use a tractor, UTV , 4 × 4 Ford F-250 truck, and various mowers and brush cutters. · Applicants must be able to safely use equipment independently. · Ability to attain Nebraska Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification with Forest Pest endorsement within 30 calendar days from start date.
Preferred Qualifications
· Must be punctual and reliable. · Applicants with prior land management experience. · Applicant with prescribed fire experience. · Applicants with a Nebraska Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification with Forest Pest endorsement. · Applicants with knowledge of maintenance and operation of gas-powered hand tools and off- road vehicles. · Ability to work independently and efficiently.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. This position regularly works outdoors most often in a prairie, wetland, or an agricultural environment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in the outdoor conditions described above.
Work Schedule
A consistent schedule of 20 hours/week with some flexible scheduling outside of regular hours may be required to meet land management and prescribed fire objectives. Regular hours will generally fit within a Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm schedule.