Habitat Strike Team Coordinator

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Title: Habitat Strike Team Coordinator          Grade:  B24                            FLSA: Non-Exempt

Date:  April 2021                                        Reports to:  Conservation Program Manager

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Purpose of Position

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) is seeking a Habitat Strike Team Coordinator (HST) to work alongside, coordinate, and supervise the Habitat Strike Team (HST) staff in utilizing common ecological restoration tools to establish and manage a suite of conservation practices. The primary purposes of the position will be to supervise and coordinate the NGRREC Habitat Strike Team to safely implement best restoration or management practices for particular sites and utilize the necessary tools to successfully accomplish the conservation goal on specific properties. The HST Coordinator works closely with the Illinois Recreation Access Program (IRAP) coordinator and regional partners to effectively plan management activities across private properties enrolled in the IRAP program and publicly accessible properties, respectively.  This position will also help prepare/train L&C Restoration Ecology students, interns, and volunteers on common restoration practices and habitat management for game and nongame species. As supervisor the coordinator will set work schedules, approve time sheets and mileage reimbursement for HST Senior and Junior Assistants and student workers and will monitor appropriate budget line items (e.g. travel and supplies and materials) in coordination with the conservation program manager. The coordinator will help evaluate Senior and Junior HST members in conjunction with conservation program Manager. This position will ultimately be responsible for planning HST work, with guidance from the conservation program manager ensuring the team is running efficiently.

Key Measurable Expectations: 

The HST Coordinator will be expected to provide leadership and supervise the Habitat Strike Team staff as well as communication effectively with partners, L&C’s Restoration Ecology Program and the NGRREC conservation program manager to coordinate management and habitat restoration on private and public sites in Illinois. This position will be a technical expert on all aspects of conservation, restoration and management. Primary focuses will include providing on-the-ground conservation, restoration or management for landowners enrolled in IRAP. Additional land focus areas may include state, federal, and private lands. The HST Coordinator will utilize conservation, restoration and habitat management tools, such as ATV/UTVs, rear-mount broadcast seeder, trailers, brush cutters, hand tools, chemical sprayers/applicators, chainsaws, gas-powered pumps, and related prescribed fire tools. The HST Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring equipment is maintained. Additional professional development through field training, professional conferences and workshops, and online courses may be available for this position. The primary duty station will be at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center located in East Alton, IL. Habitat Strike Team will work within approximately a 90 mile radius of East Alton.

As supervisor of multiple staff, the HST Coordinator will be responsible for making complex decisions to ensure productivity and team cohesiveness and that all work is conducted in a safe manner. One of the major essential duties of the HST Coordinator is to ensure junior ranking HST members and student workers/intern are receiving adequate training based on their skill level. The HST Coordinator will delegate tasks, responsibilities, and independent work to junior staff based on their assessment of experience and skill level conducting various technical tasks (e.g. conducting timber stand improvement using a chainsaw or leading a burn unit/team).

The HST Coordinator will conduct evaluations of junior staff training progress can be discussed. Evaluations will be done jointly with assistance of the conservation program manager. This HST Coordinator will also approve time-sheets and of all junior staff (e.g. Senior and Junior Assistants).

The HST Coordinator will also be responsible for keeping track of management data and grant reporting data and will serve as the main point of contact for the HST to the NGRREC conservation program manager for all personnel-related issues that may arise. The coordinator will be ultimately responsible to ensure the team is collecting adequate data for reports and financial documentation as directed by the conservation program manager. Additionally, this position is the public face of the NGRREC HST to landowners, partners, and relevant meetings and will be responsible for assisting with education outreach events to students and the general public, with occasional public speaking and presentation development required.

Coordinator/Oversight Duties (20%)

• Supervise and coordinate other Habitat Strike Team members and L&C Restoration Ecology student interns and workers in the field.
• Coordinate Habitat Strike Team to efficiently and safely put restoration on the ground on various partner properties.
• Communicate consistently with partners and NGRREC conservation program manager to ensure work, tasks, and goals are being met to satisfy partners, grant administrators, and private landowners.
• Work with conservation program manager to ensure to HST’s gear needs are being met to conduct work safely and efficiently – which includes delegation of maintenance tasks.
• Review time sheets and mileage of all HST crew members and student workers and provide weekly/bi-weekly submission to the Conservation Program Manager for approval.
• Based on direction from conservation program manager, ensure grant tracking needs are being and delegate tasks to other HST members as necessary and prepare mileage invoices and other tracking data
• Use ArcGIS ArcMap and Collector to track, organize, and quantify management polylines and polygons for reporting purposes and ensure junior members are using these tools.
• In cooperation with the Conservation Program Manager, conduct evaluations of junior HST members.
• Assist with procuring necessary program supplies and equipment in conjunction with conservation program manager and senior HST assistant.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively the day to day activities and duties of the Habitat Strike Team ensuring safety and standard practices are being utilized.
• Work with IDNR, various partners, and NGRREC staff to develop priority work area and develop conservation restoration or management plans consistent with the landowner’s and partner objectives.
• Tailor conservation assistance to various properties including burning, chemical application, and hand/mechanical treatment.
• Coordinate and establish working relationships with IDNR staff, landowners (as needed) and partners.
• Develop and deliver education presentation as needed for various outreach events and grant activities

Habitat Management Related Duties (80%)

• Perform habitat management with multiple restoration tools and techniques including prescribed fire, timber stand improvement, foliar herbicidal spraying (backpack sprayers, mist blowers, gas-powered UTV-mounted spraying), cut-stump treatments (brush cutters, chainsaws, hand-pump sprayers), interseeding (broadcast seeding and rear-mounted seed spreaders), fire-line creation (Ditch Witch, brush mowers, backpack blowers, hand tools).
• Native and non-native plant and tree identification skill for efficient timber stand improvement and non-invasive species removal/treatments
• Repairing and maintain tools and equipment listed above appropriately delegating tasks to junior staff as needed
• Write prescribed burn plans.
• Provide oversight in the areas of construction, maintenance and repair of area equipment and supplies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

The following are duties that are normal for this position.   These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required or assigned.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

SKILLS REQUIRED

Minimum of an associate’s degree or equivalent experience in a Natural Resources field, with a concentration in forestry, wildlife biology, ecology, or a related field with a basic understanding of environmental, agricultural and/or natural resource science.

• Preference may be given to candidates that possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree with an emphasis in wildlife management and previous habitat management experience
• Ability to operate, maintain, and transport (trailering and securing) farming equipment (tractor, planter, mower)
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues and partner agencies
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to supervise and coordinate a team of junior staff in a remote setting
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, forestry, wetland and grassland management including ability to utilize various habitat management equipment and tools in development of wildlife habitat
• Prescribed fire, S/130 and S/190, certificate is required within 45 days of hiring.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills including staff work schedule planning.
• Chemical Applicators License is required within 45 days of hiring
• Requires working knowledge of wildlife management and forest management practices for habitat restoration
• Requires proficiency with a variety of computer software applications including Microsoft Office Suite and ArcGIS Suite
• Requires the ability to work efficiently and effectively with others (i.e. IDNR, NGOs, landowners, etc.), as well as independently, and be able to prioritize a heavy and varied workload
• Requires possession of valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance coverage meeting state minimum requirements at all times
• Field work may be physically strenuous. The Habitat Strike Team Coordinator will need to be a strong hiker and comfortable working in adverse environmental conditions to gain access to sites and complete field work efficiently

FUNDED BY RESTRICTED PROGRAM FUNDS

Lewis & Clark Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, LCCC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.  It is also the policy of the College to prohibit any form of harassment based on an individual’s protected status, such as gender, color, race, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation or other protected group status as defined by law. If interested, please contact the Human Resource Department, Erickson Hall – Room 107.