City of Eugene - Habitat Management Assistant

2025 HABITAT MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT – INVASIVE SPECIES (Seasonal Job )

City of Eugene, Parks and Open Space, Natural Area Parks

1 position available

Posted : February 28, 2025 Open until filled. Application review begins March 14, 8 AM.

Pay rate : $21.00 - $23.50 per hour, DOE

Work period : Approximately 15 weeks of work from April 21 through the end of July. There may be an option to extend the work period depending on funding and successful candidate’s skills.

The Habitat Management Assistant will provide contractor management and mapping of non-native plants related to habitat management through control of invasive plant species. Work will occur on the City of Eugene’s (City) Amazon Prairie restoration site (75%) and at various other sites in our natural area system (25%).

Amazon Prairie Mitigation Bank and Wetland Prairie Habitat Management : Under the guidance of City staff, the successful candidate will assess site conditions, map invasive species, plan invasive species removal projects, train contractors on plant identification, and oversee contractors engaged in invasive species removal. Assistant will engage and guide contractors conducting both herbicide applications and manual removal and will assess and ensure the quality of their work. Assistant will also survey for and manually remove non-native plant species, as time allows; assistant may help train or guide two field assistants on the removal of non-native invasive species.

Other Natural Areas Habitat Management : Assistant will map invasive non-native plant species and manage contractors, as indicated above, in other City natural areas. Assistant will help with other habitat management projects (e.g. surveying for rare plants, string trimming to reduce invasive grasses, assessing shrub survival), as needed.

Qualifications and Skills for this Position

• Ability to identify wetland prairie native and invasive plant species and to train and oversee contractor’s work with these species;
• Knowledge of, and adherence to, safety principles relevant to outdoor physical work, including ability to identify hazards and respond accordingly;
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with other employees, contractors, and the public;
• Ability to survey and map invasive species over areas ranging from 1-150 acres;
• Ability to confidently direct the work of contractors, including communicating scope of work, assessing contractor performance, and redirecting contractors when needed;
• Ability to perform strenuous physical work outdoors in varying weather conditions, walk / hike up to several miles over uneven terrain, and conduct duties in inclement weather, sometimes in uncomfortable conditions;
• Ability to work independently, follow oral and written instructions, and keep detailed records.
• Experience with, or ability to learn, GIS-mapping software for desktop computers and mobile devices;
• Ability to use manual tools, string trimmers or related power tools for the removal of invasive species;
• Proficiency with computers and mobile devices;
• Availability to work a regular schedule of 40 hours per week, typically 7 AM to 3 : 30 PM or 7 : 30 AM to 4 : 00 PM and to occasionally meet contractors as early as 6 : 00 AM during hot weather at the beginning of a project;
• Must pass pre-employment physical and drug screening;
• Must possess a valid driver's license; must pass check of driving record and maintain record that meets City standards.

Learn more about Eugene’s park system : https : / / www.eugene-or.gov / 185 / Parks-and-Open-Space.

Location and Salary Information

The Habitat Management Assistant will report to Parks and Open Space offices at 1820 Roosevelt Blvd. in Eugene.

The City of Eugene is committed to a work environment which values the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally competent service to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, the City continues to be an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and answers to the supplemental questions below.

Supplemental Questions

1. Describe your experience and education with plant identification and vegetation assessment.

2. Describe your experience or abilities instructing and overseeing contractors or groups of people engaged in work.

3. Please indicate the dates by which you could begin work in late April or early May and your availability to work through July or later.

For more information about the application process, contact :

Quantum Recruiters, Inc., 270 Oakway Center Eugene, Oregon 97401

Phone : 541-683-1757; toll-free. 1-800-309-6891.

For other questions, contact Diane Steeck, at dsteeck@eugene-or.gov

The first round of applicant review starts Friday March 14 at 8 AM, so submit your application materials before then for first consideration; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Note : We also have two Field Assistant jobs and two Botany Assistant jobs that will be posted at the Quantum Recruiters website by March 1, 2025. Please indicate in your application materials if you are applying for more than one of our positions.

Salary : $21 - $24