POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Title: Restoration Technician (Columbia Basin) 

Reports to: Boardman Project Manager 

Location:  Boardman, Oregon 

Type:  Full-time (30+ hours), Non-Exempt 

Period:  Seasonal 

Approximately Mar 10-Sept 12, 2025 with extension dependent on funding 

Benefits: Sick, vacation, holiday PTO; retirement for Temporary positions  

Hourly rate: $21.72 – 23.17 DOE 

Overview Summary 

The Restoration Technician will work with a team in the maintenance and restoration of sagebrush steppe ecosystems of the Columbia Basin region of north central Oregon, primarily focused on the Naval Weapons Systems Testing Facility (NWSTF) Boardman. This position will primarily work in habitat monitoring and restoration and entails strenuous physical activity in inclement weather conditions. The position will be based in the field in early spring to early summer (Mar-June), with an increase in office work during the summer and early fall.  

This position requires a sound work ethic, interpersonal skills, and positive attitude during long field days. Development of positive and effective relationships with volunteers and partners is critical. The Technician must also be able to work independently, completing substantial tasks without direct supervision or through the supervision of conservation partners, including federal and state agency personnel, such as Navy staff and The Nature Conservancy. The Columbia Basin Program is science-based, and the Technician will be required to document and appropriately file all data pertinent to the operations on a regular basis.   

The Technician is expected to be an integral member of our team, learning and sharing effective and efficient implementation techniques with other team members.  The Technician will need to effectively communicate with partners, volunteers and the public concerning specific work and the work of the Columbia Basin Program. Highly recommended that seasonal technician lives in Tri-Cities area (WA), Hermiston (OR), Boardman (OR) or elsewhere in the nearby area. 

About Ecostudies 

Ecostudies Institute is a 501(c)(3) scientific non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of native species and their ecosystems. We achieve our mission through effective partnerships, sound scientific research, strategic land management and ecological restoration.  At the core of our mission is a cooperative conservation model that strives to realize improved conservation outcomes by developing shared goals and vision through partnerships. These partnerships, in turn, encourage information transfer, advances in cutting edge restoration techniques, and the development of integrated range-wide conservation approaches. The organization is headquartered in Olympia, Washington with a field office in Eugene, Oregon. Ecostudies currently employs over 40 permanent and seasonal staff. 

HIRING EQUITY AND JUSTICE  

ESI values and seeks diversity and equity within the organization, and we encourage applications from all groups of people. We recognize that the strength of the organization is in our people, and we believe that every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Ecostudies does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices, and our commitment to equal employment opportunity applies to every aspect of the employment relationship 

It is well-documented that Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), queer and transgender folks, women, and other marginalized groups often do not apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification listed in the job description. We are most interested in finding the right candidate for the job and our organization. We encourage all passionate and interested candidates to apply and think broadly about your background and qualifications that could be transferable for the position. We are committed to working against the structural biases that continue to keep marginalized people excluded from the conservation, restoration, and wildland fire/prescribed fire fields, and to making sure our hiring practices are not reproducing those biases. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Survey for and control invasive plants, primarily through herbicide applications.  

• Conduct line-point intercept monitoring, ocular estimates of rangeland cover, and seedling survival monitoring. May assist with soil sampling and native seed collection.  

• Participate in plug planting and other native plant seeding efforts. 

• Maintain records of work performed and communicate to supervisor in a clear and organized manner. 

• Regularly enter data on mobile devices through apps such as ArcGIS FieldMaps and QuickCapture. 

• Lead small groups of volunteers and other staff.  

• Research and use state-of-the-art- restoration knowledge and best management practices to accomplish project objectives in the sagebrush steppe and high desert restoration. 

• Operate equipment such as earth auger (manual and motorized), backpack sprayer, and metal detectors. Communicate the correct and safe implementation of these techniques to other crewmembers, partners and volunteers. Conduct and track routine maintenance of all equipment used in implementing duties. 

• Work collaboratively with resource agencies, consultants, and other conservation organizations. 

• Fulfill other duties as assigned.  

REQUIREMENTS 

• Completion of or progress towards BA/BS/AS/Technical or vocational degree in science/natural resources-related field or at least three years natural resources or agriculture related experience. 

• Experience working with, or knowledge of, natural systems; ability to recognize plant and animal species as required to complete natural resource management activities. 

• Knowledge of, and interest in, ecological land management principles. 

• Achieve and maintain qualifications as an Oregon commercial pesticide applicator (CPA) through the ODA. Work towards other advanced qualifications encouraged. 

• Must have a valid driver’s license. Must obtain first aid and CPR certification, if not already certified. 

• Ability to operate (or willingness to learn) various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g. backpack sprayer, ATV/UTV, tractor, two-way radio, etc.). 

• Ability to follow instructions from colleagues and practice effective communication in a team setting. 

• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results. 

• Ability to perform physical work, frequently under adverse conditions or in inclement weather. 

• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, web browsers) and familiarity with ArcGIS and other database systems. 

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Regularly works in natural sagebrush steppe areas. Hikes across, and conducts work within, uneven ground.  

• Works in Navy training areas with nearby training activities including some aviation training. NWSTF Boardman requires a mandatory 1-hour unexploded ordinance (UXO) safety brief for new staff working in the field. 

• Regularly required to operate an Ecostudies Institute vehicle or truck rental on highways, gravel roads, and dirt roads. 

• Frequently works in pairs and as part of a team in the field. Frequently works independently outside of fieldwork on NWSTF Boardman. 

• Responsible for some evening and weekend work including travel. 

• Uses or supervises the use of pesticides and/or other chemical substances. 

• Uses or supervises the use of hand and powered equipment such as shovels, axes, loppers, augers, and metal detectors.  

• May potentially use other equipment including ATV/UTV, small boom sprayer, small harrow.  

• Regularly lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.