Seasonal Restoration Technician

Job Summary:

This term limited (4 month) position serves as an entry level technical member of a team of conservation professionals in a growing, county wide, natural resource management special purpose district. This is based in King County, WA on multiple project sites in mostly rural areas. This position will report to and work closely with the Agricultural Drainage Project Manager.

This work takes place on privately-owned farmland where we aim to strike a balance between restoring riparian areas and improving agricultural drainage. Due to the critical threat to native salmon populations, all salmon-bearing watercourses in King County are heavily regulated to protect water quality and wildlife habitat. The bulk of time is spent working with landowners and/or land managers to coordinate the installation of native plant buffers, the removal of invasive species, and removing and relocating aquatic species from restoration areas prior to construction activities. This position will also complete a variety of ecological tasks such as plant surveying, water quality monitoring, beaver habitat identification, and salmonid surveys.

This position is generally tactical in nature, sometimes applying advanced principles and concepts in day to-day work. A mix of routine and varied work with occasional complexity. Actions are typically short and mid-term, focused on how and when.

Specific Program Responsibilities:

The occupant of this position will perform duties under the supervision of the Program Manager, Farm Services.

40% – Coordination and good communication with land managers to access sites, review environmental conditions, and relay information to project partners.
20% – Reviewing riparian areas to identify invasive plant species and identify where more native plantings are needed.
30% – Working alongside contractors to identify, count, remove, and relocate aquatic species such as salmonids, sticklebacks, lampreys, crayfish, frogs, toads, and many other types of fish and amphibians during construction activities.
10% – Capturing survey data in an organized and legible manner.

Job Classification: Resource Assistant 3 Base Classification Duties:

Operates with autonomy in day-to-day work. May initiate or take action when it is appropriate to deviate from normal practices. Typically sets own priorities, seeks direction from others when priorities conflict. Receives general direct on new aspects of assignments.
Resolves issues based on loosely defined decision guidelines. Escalates to the appropriate decision-maker for unusual situations.
Less than 5 percent of the job duties may be combined with other duties as required by the district.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must be competent in reading, writing, speaking, hearing, and understanding the English language. Effective communication and multi-tasking skills required for interaction with coworkers, Board members, agency partners, and land managers/operators.
• Adept with all office equipment including computers, network servers, Internet, and e-mail. Use of computers to write reports, track work products, prepare and record field and technical data. Adept with MS Office software, including Excel spreadsheets, Teams and Zoom.
• Ability to work full-time schedule with overtime if needed with prior approval

Education and Experience:

• 1-2 years+ Experience and/or Certification.
• Foundational knowledge of the function or program.
• Requires intermediate level operational/support experience and skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of common native plants and weeds found in the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience with invasive plant control by mechanical and chemical methods.
• Experience with identifying and handling salmonid species.
• Experience with GIS and GPS.
• Willingness to learn more about working farmlands and their businesses that provide fresh local food to our communities.
• A strong interest and/or degree in natural resources, forestry, conservation biology, or related fields.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work long hours in swamp-like conditions including hot temperatures in summertime in the Pacific Northwest (upwards of 95 degrees F on occasion).
• Ability to climb down into and climb out of watercourses with often steep muddy banks (upwards of 3-4’ steep) wearing fully waterproof waders and carrying fish nets, 5-gallon buckets, and/or surveying equipment.
• Ability to work steadily at a consistent pace to help others complete their tasks.
• Ability to drive in and throughout King County using a district vehicle.
• A driver’s license is required when driving district vehicles.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.

Term Limited Full-Time, Hourly Position:

This position will start at hiring Grade 22, Step 1, currently at $24.72/hr.

Benefits:

The District offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid vacation and holidays, medical and dental, a nominal life insurance policy with the option to increase coverage at employee’s expense, support for trainings, and participation in the State of Washington Retirement System (PERS).

Work Schedule:

Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday work schedule. Some weekend and evening work is occasionally required.

Office Location:

800 SW 39th Street, Suite 150, Renton, WA 98057

King Conservation District is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

To Apply:

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please apply by emailing HR@kingcd.org with the following materials:

1.  A resume
2. A cover letter, describing as specifically as you can how your experience, skills, and values are a fit with King Conservation District’s goals and mission as described in this announcement.
3. A brief personal equity statement, describing your skills and experience engaging with issues involving diversity, racial equity and inclusion in organizations. This statement should not exceed 300 words.