Habitat Program Lead TechnicianBirds Georgia • Atlanta, GA, USA

Habitat Program Lead Technician

Birds Georgia • Atlanta, GA, USA

6 days ago

Job type

Full-time

Quick Apply

Job description

Habitat Program Lead Technician

Location : Birds Georgia / City of Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia

About Birds Georgia

Birds Georgia, Inc. is a state-wide and member-supported non-profit organization dedicated to

building places where birds and people thrive. We are a bird-focused conservation organization that combines innovative conservation, education, and community engagement programs with activities that build community and foster the joy of birding.

Position Summary

The Habitat Program Lead Technician will assist in the implementation of habitat work and related

conservation programming under the direction of Habitat Program and Conservation Staff supervisors. This will primarily come in the form of active field work, equipment maintenance and management, training and supervision of volunteers, contractors, and future crew members, as well as a variety of other tasks and opportunities.

Position Duties / Core Responsibilities

Carryout and lead habitat management and restoration work to maintain and support natural areas across Georgia. Specific field tasks include invasive species identification and control (manual, mechanical and chemical removal techniques), seeding and planting, brush / tree removal, erosion control methods, mowing, watering, prescribed burning, and various other related tasks.
Support, lead, train, communicate with, and oversee contractors, staff, and volunteers for habitat programs, workdays, and some educational programs.
Effectively communicate status of field projects to supervisors and partners by regularly keeping habitat work logs and field notes while completing project time tracking and administrative work in a timely manner.
Assist with day to day habitat work planning.
Prepare, load, operate, clean, care for, and conduct routine preventative maintenance on a

variety of equipment and tools that includes light and heavy-duty trucks, trailers, chainsaws, brushcutters, backpack herbicide sprayers, UTVs / ATVs, skid-steers, tractors and more.

Facilitate plant order pickups, provide plant care, lead planting, and help maintain accurate

planting data.

Assist with bird and plant monitoring efforts as needed.

Implement a safety-first mindset and apply all established health, safety, security, and

environment (HSSE) standards during all office and field operations.

Ensure that habitat restoration and conservation activities are carried out in keeping with

the organization's values, mission, and vision while adhering to the highest ethical

standards for habitat management and monitoring.

Provide technical expertise and assistance to other staff with habitat related programs, events, and fundraising such as native plant sales, Wildlife Sanctuary Program, School Garden Program, Habitat Stewardship Program, and more.

Establish constructive relationships with staff, partners, board members, and constituents.

Travel across Georgia regularly and maintain a flexible schedule, including early mornings,

evenings, and weekends as needed (mainly for volunteer workdays, programs, and field work away from metro-Atlanta).

Serve as primary driver and care-taker for the Habitat Program truck.

Other tasks as assigned by the Habitat Program and Conservation supervisors.

Performance Expectations

Positive safety-first attitude.

Demonstrate initiative and be a team player with a willingness to lead.

Effective communicator and a collaborative attitude in a variety of settings.

Organized and capable of following instructions with attention to detail while supervised,

unsupervised, and while working remotely.

An average of 4 days a week spent in the field fluctuating throughout the year based on weather, project load, and other organizational programming.

Ability to read and interpret herbicide labels and Safety Data Sheets and apply herbicides

following label instructions and safety procedures.

Ability to walk 4-6 miles per day over rough terrain and lift up to 50 lbs.

Ability to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, extreme heat, vibration and loud noises. Exposure to thorny or poisonous plant materials and other

hazards is not uncommon in the field.

Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, balance or crawl while conducting field work. Noise level in the work environment can be moderate to loud.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color

vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Strong spatial and situational awareness.

Ability to be thoughtful, thorough, and proactive in all work processes.

Position Qualifications

2 to 4 years of experience in a natural resources field; or relevant field experience in ecology and land management; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience, education, or training.

Solid understanding of basic ecological restoration techniques.

General knowledge of Georgia native and invasive species, plant identification, natural areas, and ecology preferred. Bird identification and monitoring experience is a plus.

Leadership experience and / or strong interpersonal and customer service skills.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance

instructions, and procedure manuals.

Ability to write routine reports, maintain logs, and manage email correspondence.

Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of other organizations.

Demonstrated ability to multi-task, work under pressure, meet deadlines and be able to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.

Extensive experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

Experience working with and / or managing volunteers or youth / young adults is a plus.

Keen attention to detail and a willingness to learn.

Certifications / Trainings (If you do not have any of these, you must be open and able to obtain them)

Valid driver's license

National Wildfire Coordinating Group Wildland Fire Intro (S-130 / S-190 / L-180)

Georgia Pesticide Applicator's License

ATV / UTV and chainsaw safety training

Wilderness First-Aid

Status, Pay & Benefits

The successful candidate will be hired as a full-time, 40-hour per week exempt employee. This is a hybrid in-office / field / remote position based out of Birds Georgia's offices in the Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse on the Westside Atlanta Beltline. Starting pay will commensurate with experience in the range of $38,000-$42,000, including opportunity to enroll in health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, paid time off, 401(K) with match (after meeting eligibility / length of service requirements),and professional development opportunities, including participation in the Birds Georgia Master Birder program.

Application Instructions

Please upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

Birds Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. Just as bird diversity strengthens ecosystems, the diversity of human experiences, traditions, and viewpoints strengthen our conservation, education, and community engagement efforts. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status, or other status protected by law.

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Program Technician • Atlanta, GA, USA