Employment Position Open: Invasive Species Technician

Full-Time, Temporary Position – April 15th to October 2025

Posted January 10, 2025

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to anchorageswcd@gmail.com. The position will remain open until it is filled, with the first review of applications beginning March 1, 2025. Short-listed applicants will be asked to provide references.

Program and Position Description: The Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District’s Invasive Species Program is working to slow the spread of invasive species in Alaska, presently focused on terrestrial plants. The Invasive Species Technician will survey suburban and remote areas for high-priority invasive plants, manage infestations by hand and with herbicides, organize volunteer weed pulls, and coordinate with landowners seeking removal of invasive trees. The Technician will work closely with the Invasive Species Program Leader, typically working as a team of two outdoors along roads and trails ranging from urban to remote, and in more remote areas such as Portage, Whittier, at the suburban-wildland interface, and in greenbelts.  

Duties:

• Seek and identify non-indigenous plants using references, and document their presence.
• Collect complete and accurate data using software on a tablet and on paper. Interpret aerial imagery to verify locations. Perform timely data quality checks and organize data for reporting.
• Learn and employ Integrated Pest Management techniques to control invasive plants including cutting, pulling, and digging. Assist with herbicide applications, either by applying herbicides or by working alongside Invasive Species Program Leader applying herbicides. Complete training, and exam to become a Certified Pesticide Applicator. 
• Help identify invasive trees that are high-priority for removal. Communicate options and incentives for landowners to remove their invasive trees.
• Organize volunteer weed-pulls by scouting locations, coordinating events, educating and directing volunteers, and keeping records.
• Perform surveys for aquatic invasive species on remote trips up to a week in length.

Minimum qualifications:

• Ability to work safely in urban and remote areas, along roads and trails, around bears and moose, in inclement weather, and with herbicides. 
• Botanical skill, or aptitude and interest to make detailed observations of plants.
• Ability to walk 4 miles with a light backpack, sometimes in rough terrain, and perform physical work with vegetation such as digging, pulling, cutting, carrying, and dragging. 
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks, and to adapt as circumstances change.
• Ability to solve problems, work independently and as a team member, and to self-motivate.
• Ability to interact professionally with the public in the field, at events, and with private property owners.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license. 

Desired qualifications: Experience working outdoors. Experience collecting environmental data. Demonstrated interest in natural science fields such as ecology, botany, or natural resource management. Plant identification skills. Experience using field GIS software. A vehicle you can use within Anchorage, mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate.

Hours, Wages, and Benefits: This hourly position is for 40 hours per week, including occasional long days and evening and weekend work. The hourly wage is $21-24 DOE, and no benefits are offered. Our office is located at 911 West 8th Avenue, Suite 101 in downtown Anchorage.