- Agency
- Ecostudies Institute, Willamette Valley Fire Collaboration
- Location
- Eugene, Oregon
- Job Category
- Full time Positions
- Salary
- $23-27/hr DOE
- Last Date to Apply
- 02/15/2023
- Website
- https://ecoinst.org/about-us/work-with-us/
- Description
- POSITION DESCRIPTION Title: Ecocultural Stewardship Lead Reports to: Willamette Valley Fire Planning and Training Specialist Location: Eugene, Oregon Position: Full-time, hourly with benefits (Health, dental, vision) Compensation: $23-27/hr DOE Period: 12-month term (extension possible and funding dependent), Start date ~ early to mid February SUMMARY The Ecocultural Stewardship Lead will work as part of the Willamette Valley Fire Collaboration team dedicated to prescribed and cultural burning, primarily in the Willamette Valley of Oregon with travel to other locations in the region to train, learn, and support regional partners and Tribal communities. The position will have a range of restoration responsibilities in support of the program’s regional goals and objectives. This position will oversee and lead the Wagon Burners, a 5-person, all Indigenous crew. The Ecocultural Stewardship Lead will engage in and take a lead position in various project areas, such as: prescribed and cultural fire, woody and herbaceous fuels treatments for wildfire risk reduction and prescribed fire preparation, plant and wildlife monitoring, seed collection and planting, community outreach and youth leadership development, burn planning and mapping, and equipment maintenance. The position includes strenuous physical activity and operation of heavy equipment. The position requires a high level of responsibility and interpersonal skills, sound work ethic, and a positive attitude during long field days. Developing and maintaining positive and effective relationships with volunteers, peers, and partners is critical. The Ecocultural Stewardship Lead must also be able to work independently, completing substantial tasks either without direct supervision or through the supervision by partners, including local, state and federal agencies and Tribal personnel. Data collection, record-keeping and reporting, and ongoing communication with coworkers and partners are expected tasks of the Ecocultural Stewardship Lead. The Ecocultural Stewardship Lead is expected to be an integral member of our team. 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. The Willamette Valley Fire Collaboration (WVFC) centers Indigenous peoples in building regional fire capacity and is dedicated to uplifting native fire stewards on their homelands. The program exists to Conservation science, partnership, and practice www.ecoinst.org serve communities across a shared, fire-adapted landscape in carrying out prescribed and cultural fire and all of the actions required to prepare for and maintain a healthy relationship with fire in our communities. Fire is a part of a yearlong relationship with place, one vital part of ongoing stewardship. Ecostudies maintains an office in Olympia, Washington, with a permanent and seasonal staff of more than 30 individuals, and an office in Eugene, Oregon, for the WVFC with a permanent staff of 9 individuals. HIRING EQUITY AND JUSTICE 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 single qualification or requirement listed in the job description. Conversely, it is well documented that people with identities overrepresented in our field (white people, men, etc.) do not hesitate to apply to jobs even if they do not meet all the stated qualifications or requirements in the job description and are often still hired into those positions. We are most interested in finding the right candidate for the job and our team, and encourage all passionate and interested candidates to apply and not discount prior experience that could be transferable, even if it is outside what we have described. 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: In all of the following, training will be provided where needed ● Manage logistics, crew members and personally conduct management actions ● Participate in prescribed ecological and cultural burns. Conduct burn unit and fireline preparations prior to burning. Participate in mop up and patrols as a core member of the burn crew. Conduct post burn follow-up restoration actions like rehab, seeding and controlling weeds in burned areas as well as other restoration, monitoring, training, and outreach activities. Lead and train crew members in these activities. ● Maintain minimum qualification as Firefighter Type I under NWCG guidelines. Work towards advanced qualifications such as Firing Boss, Engine Boss, and Fire Effects Monitor ● Assist crew members with administrative tasks, such as timesheets and expense reports ● Work with coordination team on crew training and leadership development ● Collect and manage geographic and other data. This requires proficiency in handheld GIS data collection. Desired proficiency or an interest in working toward proficiency in GIS or similar mapping software. ● Safely operate equipment such as tractor, chain saws, hand-operated gas-powered brush cutters, engine-powered chipper/shredder, other heavy and light equipment, and trailering. Conduct routine maintenance of all equipment. Communicate safe operating and maintenance procedures. ● Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the restoration techniques utilized by the team and communicate the correct and safe implementation of these techniques to other crew members, partners and volunteers. ● Manage contracts and write reports for grants and community. Track crew work outputs and outcomes. ● May participate in grant writing and fundraising activities. Conservation science, partnership, and practice www.ecoinst.org ● Assist with other program activities such as Tribal community wildfire preparedness outreach, Tribal youth prescribed and cultural fire training opportunities, planting and plant tending, and media development ● Communicate successes and lessons learned among crew and team, to partners, Tribal collaborators, and the public through meetings, presentations, written reports, and other methods. ● Other duties as assigned
- Qualifications
- REQUIREMENTS: ● 3-5 years of natural resources, cultural resources, fire, forestry, restoration or agriculture-related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Beneficial but not required: Completion of or progress towards BA/BS/AS/Technical or vocational degree in science/natural/cultural resources-related field. ● Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems; ability to recognize and learn plant and animal species; knowledge of ecological land management principles, including prescribed and cultural fire ● Experience working with and in Tribal communities ● Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner and train crewmembers (e.g.; lawn mower, chainsaw, tractor, two-way radio, etc. Training will be provided where needed.) ● Ability to follow instructions from colleagues ● Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results ● Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather ● Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers) and familiarity with ArcMap GIS and other database systems. WORKING CONDITIONS ● Regularly works in natural areas, native plant nurseries, private residences, and other wildland urban interface sites. ● Hikes across and conducts work on uneven ground. ● Regularly sits or stands at a desk or computer workstation. ● Regularly required to operate an Ecostudies Institute vehicle. ● Works both independently and on a team. ● Responsible for working on evenings and weekends, including travel, primarily during burn season (Aug - Oct). ● Uses and supervises the use of powered equipment such as weed trimmers and chainsaws, hand tools, drip torches, engines and pumps, UTV’s, trailers, and other equipment as needed to accomplish project objectives. ● Regularly works around prescribed fires. ● Regularly lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds. HOW TO APPLY: Qualified applicants should provide a detailed letter of interest, current résumé or curriculum vitae, and three professional references (names, affiliations, and contact information only). Application package should be combined into one file. All applications will be acknowledged. Email these materials to: sfraser@ecoinst.org, with “Ecocultural Stewardship Lead” Application in the subject line.
- Contact Person
- Sara Fraser
- Contact eMail
- sfraser@ecoinst.org
