About Us

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.

We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. Whether it’s career development, work/life balance, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all of our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued.

Position Summary

The Innovative Restoration Technician (IRT) positions (3) are seasonal positions starting March 22 and ending either October 29 or November 26, with possibility of extension. The IRT positions are based in TNC’s Burns, Oregon field office, at the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Each IRT position will contribute TNC’s efforts to improve restoration of western rangelands affected by invasive annual grasses.

Specifically, all IRTs will support The Nature Conservancy’s Sagebrush Sea Innovative Restoration project by producing and testing enhanced seed materials in the lab and field, which are designed to increase the success of native perennial vegetation restoration in wildlands across the West prone to invasion by exotic weeds. This involves preparation and implementation of projects via lab and field work (50%), and collection of data in support of field research, monitoring, and assessment (30%). Other duties will include data entry (10%) and other conservation/science project tasks as needed (10%). Other projects may include, but are not limited to, traveling to other sagebrush sea states (ID, NV, UT, WY) to install and monitor field experiments, conducting seeding on TNC preserves, performing controlled germination experiments, and assisting with projects in  collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies.

In addition, one IRT will serve as a primary coordinator for data collection and maintenance at the Glass Butte forb garden, one of a network of common gardens established by the USDA Forest Service to study native forb populations in order to create seed transfer zones for restoration. This coordination requires organizing data collection schedules, collecting and organizing data with or without other TNC staff, and regularly sending data and samples to Forest Service collaboration.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Associates Degree in natural resources; environmental studies or equivalent combination of education and 6 months’ experience
• Experience working with seeds or plants in an outdoor or lab or greenhouse setting
• Experience managing and prioritizing tasks from multiple sources
• Willingness to live and work in a small and remote location (Burns, OR) and occasionally travel for 4 or up to 8 consecutive days