Lead Field Technician, Southeastern Grasslands Institute

Grassland loss is the single greatest conservation issue currently facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southeastern grasslands are nearly extinct, and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southeastern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. What will the next 25 years bring? As a conservation community, we are only now realizing how extensive our grasslands once were. If we want to reverse the tide of grassland biodiversity loss, our response must be rapid and unparalleled in its magnitude. This is an immensely complex and ambitious challenge that will take some of the brightest and most creative minds in American conservation and philanthropy to solve. Are you ready to join the Southeastern Grasslands Institute’s team?

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time Lead Field Technician position to study and restore native grasslands on National Parks across the Eastern United States as part of our Grasslands Restoration Team. The Lead Field Technician will be responsible for coordinating daily work duties for their team of field technicians and communicating project updates and needs with SGI’s Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator. The Lead Field Technician will collect baseline data from grassland remnants and identify grassland “reconstruction” sites at a diverse array of National Parks across the Eastern U.S., as well as carry out restoration and land management work from all sites. This position will travel extensively, along with two other Field Technicians, throughout the year, often working an alternative work schedule to reach the different project areas (up to 90% of time will be spent in the field), with overnight stays and travel expenses covered by grant funds. This position will be remotely based in the Blacksburg and/or Roanoke, Virginia areas. The Lead Field Technician will directly report to SGI’s Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead all restoration, documentation, and mapping activities of various grassland habitats in National Parks across the Eastern U.S.
• Implement grassland restoration and reconstruction projects in National Parks across the Eastern U.S. (ie, site preparation, invasive species management, herbicide application, seed collection, planting of restoration seed mixes, and more).
• Plan weekly fieldwork activities with the Project Director and the Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.
• Coordinate and lead daily project activities for the team of field technicians.
• Communicate project updates and needs with the Project Director and Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.
• Assist in gathering written, photographic, and GIS data for each project location.
• Assist with preparing maps using GIS software.
• Read relevant materials and protocols.
• Participate in regular team meetings and SGI staff meetings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of grassland community types of the Southeastern United States.
• Knowledge of plant, bird, and pollinator species of the Southeastern United States.
• Knowledge of grassland restoration and reconstruction practices.
• Knowledge of invasive species management.
• Ability to use a GPS device and GIS software.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to challenges.
• Ability to confidently lead and work as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as working 8 days on followed by 6 days off,  beginning work at 5 am to avoid heat-related issues, or occasionally working late hours on time-sensitive needs.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and experience driving a wide variety of vehicles and ATVs, including 4WD.
• Must be able to hike over rugged terrain in a variety of landscapes (grasslands, wetlands, rugged hills, slopes, etc.)
• Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing environmental conditions, including hot temperatures, buggy conditions, and rain.
• Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days, if necessary.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of one year experience in grassland restoration or project management.
• B.S. or B.A. degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Natural Resources or related field preferred.
• Must have excellent organizational and task-management skills.
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and work effectively within a dynamic team and a wide variety of people.
• Comes prepared with a good attitude and willingness to learn.
• Strong commitment to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are considered throughout all aspects of the program.
• Must be flexible with travel and work schedules.

Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 150,287 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.

Austin Peay State University is a proud supporter of hiring veterans. We hire veterans with equivalent experiences and pay grades from their military service, rather than requiring or preferring only college degrees. Please visit our website for more information on how veterans can qualify for additional employment opportunities at APSU: https://www.apsu.edu/human-resources/hiring-veterans/.

Austin Peay State University (APSU) prohibits discrimination in all employment, programs, and activities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. For Title IX inquiries or complaints, contact: Chief of Institutional Culture & Title IX Coordinator, LaNeeça R. Williams at williamslr@apsu.edu | 931-221-7690, Browning Building, Room 140, Clarksville, TN 37044. For other non-discrimination concerns, contact: Director of Institutional Culture & Title VI & Title VII Coordinator, Dr. Jo Baldwin at baldwinjapsu.edu | 931-221-7178 or Associate Director of Accessibility Compliance & ADA/504 Coordinator, Jayme Glover at gloverj@apsu.edu | 931-221-7160. View APSU’s full nondiscrimination policy at Policy 6:001.