Field Technician - Great Marsh

Job Description

Job Description

About Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today : the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.

About This Position

Work as part of a small crew of technicians to restore resiliency to salt marsh habitats on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Depending on the time of year, duties include restoring salt marsh hydrology at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (PRNWR) by cutting and placing hay in ditches, digging and assisting with the creation of shallow trenches (runnels), and manually removing the invasive plant perennial pepperweed from salt marshes and adjacent areas within the Great Marsh Region (coastal towns from Salisbury to Gloucester). Field Technicians will participate in efforts on the PRNWR and Mass Audubon properties to monitor coastal resilience and restoration projects along with outreach to landowners to acquire permission to perform invasive plant control work. Field Technicians will use a mobile mapping app to monitor and report results of management efforts.

Application Instructions

Please submit resume and cover letter with your ADP application.

Responsibilities

• Work as a team and under the direction of a Great Marsh Restoration Coordinator and / or the PRNWR Refuge Biologist to implement an innovative marsh restoration technique called ditch remediation
• Using walk-behind agricultural tractors and a diversity of hand tools, cut and place hay in selected ditches to accelerate healing process; in some cases, shallow trenches (runnels) will also be excavated
• Work under the direction of the Great Marsh Restoration Coordinator and / or Lead Field Technician to remove Perennial Pepperweed from coastal habitats; bag and remove plant material from sites and deliver to appropriate drop-off locations
• Follow pre-established monitoring protocols to document treatment and record all treatment dimensions and conditions using ArcGIS Online and Survey123
• Assist volunteer groups in participating with the work
• Assist in other targeted habitat management and coastal resilience projects on Mass Audubon property, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and other locations in the Great Marsh
• Communicate with the public upon incidental contact to inform them of the work and the goals of the project and allay potential concerns about the presence of the team and their work; be an ambassador for Mass Audubon’s mission
• Collaborate with other teams of educators and coastal resilience interns to be informed about and informative to the public about projects that intersect with the work.

Qualifications

At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications :

Must Haves

Nice to Haves

Compensation, Benefits and Perks

This position’s pay range is $17.96-$20.20 / hour; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This position may be eligible for health insurance benefits.

Work Schedule

Full time schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 7 : 00am-3 : 30pm. Start times and length of workdays may vary due to project needs and tide schedule. This position begins on April 1, 2025 and ends on November 11, 2025.

Other Requirements

Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice

Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Salary : $18 - $20