Location: Stayton, Oregon (Office) & North
Santiam River Watershed (Fieldwork)
Status: Hourly, Exempt | Full-Time, Seasonal (40
hours/week, 16 weeks)
Pay: $25.00/hour | Mileage reimbursement
provided
Application Review: Open until filled
Start Date: May 5th, 2025 | End Date: September
1st, 2025

About the North Santiam Watershed Council (NSWC)
The North Santiam Watershed Council (NSWC) is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to restoring watershed health through stewardship, restoration projects, andnpartnerships. Since the 2020 Beachie Creek and Lionshead wildfires burned half the watershed, NSWC has been at the forefront of post-fire recovery, working alongside landowners and communities to restore native plant habitats and control invasive species.

Position Overview
The technician will support community outreach, field surveys, and invasive species management in wildfire-affected areas. This role includes conducting early detection, rapid response (EDRR) surveys, assisting with invasive plant treatments, and engaging with landowners. Additional opportunities include supporting NSWC’s Aquatic Invasive Project and Breitenbush Floodplain Restoration Project, including organizing outreach and volunteer events.

Primary Responsibilities

• Engage with a variety of landowners within wildfire-impacted areas through phone calls, emails, site visits and community events.
• Assist in securing Cooperative Landowner Agreements for restoration projects.
• Conduct EDRR surveys for eight invasive species, including False Brome, Knotweed, and Garlic Mustard.
• Collect and document data on infestation size, percent cover, and location using iMapInvasives, iNaturalist, other mapping tools and databases.
• Support data synthesis and mapping in ArcGIS and online tools.
• Capture pre- and post-treatment photo points with GPS coordinates.
• Educate the public on the impact of aquatic invasive species to prevent further spread.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and peer learning events as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Experience or strong interest in natural resources, plant ecology, and environmental science.
• Ability to collect accurate field data and follow quality assurance protocols.
• Strong time management skills; ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Willingness to conduct fieldwork in rugged terrain, inclement weather, and remote locations.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. and navigate steep or uneven ground.
• Valid Oregon driver’s license and reliable personal transportation (mileage reimbursed from NSWC office to project sites).
• Flexibility in work schedule, including occasional evenings or weekends.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Plant identification skills (or willingness to learn).
• Passion for watershed restoration, community engagement, event planning and education.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS, GPS, iMapInvasives, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.