Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
Stewardship Technician – Position Description and Qualifications

About SWMLC:
The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that works to conserve the scenic and ecologically important landscapes that give the 9 counties of southwest Michigan its natural character — now and for generations to come.

Position description:
The stewardship technician assists in managing natural areas under SWMLC and project partner ownership primarily through ecological restoration activities in Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. Primary stewardship activities include but are not limited to invasive plant treatments, surveys and monitoring. The stewardship technician will work closely with the stewardship specialist as well as the director of stewardship. SWMLC is a volunteer-driven organization and as such, the stewardship technician may also occasionally work with stewardship workday volunteers.

Position duties:

• Follow and enforce all safety measures
• Maintain excellent communication with supervisor and other crew members.
• Comply with all internal employee policies, including the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.
• Survey SWMLC nature preserves for habitat quality and invasive species
• Conducting “cut-stump” treatment of woody shrubs, vines, and trees through the use of hand tools, brushsaws, chainsaws, and stump herbicide applications.
• Managing herbaceous plants with hand pulling and foliar herbicide spraying.
• Mixing herbicide treatments, calculating application rates, recording herbicide use
• Assessing invasive plant species management from previous seasons treatment.
• Maintain vehicles, power equipment, and other equipment used in management.
• Misc. duties include Prescribed fire, seed collection, trail work, sign posting, etc.

Requirements:

• At least 18 years old
•  High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Michigan driver’s license
• Interest in identification of flora and fauna
• Energetic and creative
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people
• Strong attention to detail
• Work with herbicides and obtain a Michigan Pesticide Applicator’s License
• Ability work in difficult terrain outside in possibly adverse weather conditions and able to lift at least ~50 lbs.
• Safely remain committed and motivated for 10 hours of physical work.
• Able to maintain a flexible work schedule

Preferred qualifications:

• Coursework in natural resources management, biology, recreation or related fields.
• Knowledge of Michigan’s natural communities, particularly native plant species.
• Experience in identification of invasive plant species.
• Experience in natural areas management.
• Ability to safely operate and maintain chainsaws, brushsaws, brush-hogs, etc.
• Knowledge in navigation, including traveling to work sites, compass/GPS use in natural areas, and map use.
• Experience with Microsoft office, GPS, and GIS.
• Experience with construction and facilities maintenance
• Ability to maintain positive attitude under diverse working conditions and treating co-workers, equipment, and environment with respect.
• Experience in operating various types of equipment or ability to learn.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)Wildland firefighter Type 2 training

Position term, schedule, and details:

• This position is non-exempt position with an end date of April 1, 2025 with possibility of continuation beyond that date pending funding and project load.
• Expectation of 40 hr work week: typically, 4 -10 hr days. Work day is 7:30am- 5:30 pm, with two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute lunch break each day.
• Unpaid planned days off are permitted with 48 hours’ notice advance notice to stewardship specialist not to exceed 15 days a year.
• Unpaid sick days are permitted with notice to stewardship specialist not to exceed 5 days unless there are extenuating circumstances.
• Unreasonable working conditions including lightning, extreme heat, cold, and high water in the field may result in loss working hours, and is under the judgment of the stewardship specialist. Ability to make up lost hours on weekends or Fridays is possible with approval from stewardship specialist.
• Workday starts at SWMLC stewardship office using SWMLC vehicles travel to work site.
• Position starts at $15/hr

Working conditions:

• The majority of time spent as stewardship technician will be spent outdoors, and as such, applicants must be able to tolerate the natural conditions found there.
• Natural conditions include high temperatures and humidity, low temperatures, snow, rain, wind, steep terrain, uneven, wet, and shifting footing.
• Exposure to poison ivy and sumac, thorns, and biting insects is highly likely.
• Use of equipment such as brushsaw, chainsaw, and backpack sprayers require ability to tolerate bodily strain and heavy loads.

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Our commitment to land conservation includes a vision of community where people from diverse backgrounds can benefit from the restorative powers of nature. Our work to be an inclusive organization extends to our recruitment and hiring practices, and we encourage applicants of all races, genders, religions, cultures, national origins, ages, sexual orientations and all other identities to apply.