Grasslands Field Technician Position Summary

Grassland loss is the greatest conservation issue facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southeastern grasslands are nearly extinct, and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. What will the next 25 years bring? As a conservation community, we only now realize how extensive our grasslands used to be. If we want to reverse the tide of grassland biodiversity loss, our response must be rapid and unparalleled in magnitude. This immensely complex and ambitious challenge will take some of American conservation and philanthropy's brightest and most creative minds to solve. The Southeastern Grasslands Institute was formed in 2017 to provide leadership in grassland biodiversity conservation across a 24-state region of the eastern U.S. Are you ready to join the SGI team?

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for two seasonal Field Technician positions: one based in Little Rock, Arkansas, and one based in Clarksville, Tennessee. Funding is available for five months at $20/hour for 37.5 hours/week (the start and end dates are flexible, but beginning in May is preferred). These entry-level positions will help train the next generation of ecologists in field botany and general conservation work.  These positions will assist with conducting plant surveys and mapping habitats across the Southeastern United States with an Ecologist and Biologist team. The Field Technicians are expected to spend 70-90% of their time in the field and 10-30% in indoor facilities to perform data management and other activities. Extensive travel (with the Ecologist and Biologist) will be expected to reach the different project areas with frequent overnight stays (occasionally up to 7 nights in a row) with travel expenses covered. Working from home will be possible for a few specific, desk-based tasks. These positions will report to SGI’s Chief Conservation Officer (Little Rock, AR) and Director of Stewardship (Clarksville, TN). Daily activities will be directed by the Biologist and Ecologist.

SGI is a young and dynamic organization where we celebrate, support and strive to promote diversity, equality and inclusion, and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist team Ecologist and Biologist with documenting, classifying and mapping a variety of described and undescribed grassland habitats across the SGI focal region (primarily AL, KY, TN, MS for the Clarksville technician and AR, LA, MS, MO, OK, TX for the Little Rock technician).
• Help plan weekly fieldwork activities with the field team members and supervisor.
• Assist with preparing research/collection permits for site access and sampling.
• Collect, enter, and maintain data.
• Assist team Ecologist and Biologist in gathering written, photographic, and GIS content for each project location.
• Collect and prepare herbarium and other specimens from project sites.
• Communicate project updates and needs with other field team members and supervisor.
• Read relevant materials and protocols.
• Participate in regular team meetings and occasional SGI staff meetings.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interest in different grassland natural community types and plant and pollinator species of the Southeastern United States.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work in a variety of outdoor and indoor settings.
• Must be able to hike over rugged terrain and various landscapes (wetlands, forests, grasslands, rugged hills, slopes, etc.).
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and hike (up to 5 miles a day) often while lifting/carrying equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing environmental conditions, including hot temperatures, independently in remote places or as part of a team.
• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as working 4 days a week or 8 days on 6 days off, or beginning before sunrise to avoid heat-related issues.
• Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days, on rare occasions.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and prefer someone to have experience driving various vehicles and ATVs, including in 4WD.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a B.S. or B.A. degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Natural Resources or related field or 1-2 years of related experience.
• Experience in identifying eastern North American flora is preferred.
• Interest in eastern North America's natural history, ecology, and vegetation.
• Must have good communication skills. This includes writing clearly and concisely, and responding to emails and phone calls in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of and prior experience in restoration activities is a plus.
• Excellent organizational and task-management skills, including maintaining accurate and detailed data records.
• Must have good interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate and work effectively within a dynamic team and a wide variety of people.
• Comes prepared with a good attitude and willingness to learn.
• Able to learn quickly and adapt to challenges.
• Strong commitment to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are considered throughout the program.

Position Dates:

May - Sept. 2025, but may be flexible. Interviews will begin in early January.