- Agency
- The Natural Garden
- Location
- Harrisonburg, VA
- Job Category
- Full time Positions
- Salary
- $14-24 per hour, depending on experience
- Start Date
- 04/15/2023
- Last Date to Apply
- 04/15/2023
- Website
- http://thenaturalgarden.net
- Description
- Position Summary: The Natural Garden is seeking both Level 1 (entry) and Level 2 (experienced) members for its Conservation Landscaping and Habitat Restoration Team. These individuals play a crucial role in both conservation native plant landscaping and habitat restoration. In conservation landscaping, the team members participate in all aspects of site work, stonework, planting, and maintenance to bring our native plant landscape designs to life. In habitat restoration, the team members participate in invasive plant removal, site preparation for seeding and reforestation, forb, shrub and tree planting, and ongoing management and maintenance. Job Responsibilities: Assist with habitat restoration activities; herbicide applications; meadow, savanna, and reforestation installations; and stream restoration and stormwater installation projects. For the above, the following should be expected be performed alone or as a team: Conduct habitat-focused field research, site analysis, vegetation surveys (identification of native and non-native / invasive species) and mapping of existing site conditions Safely complete site clearing and follow-up monitoring; invasive species controls and removal; tree felling, stump grinding, brush hogging and selective mowing; seeding and planting according to design; selective herbicide applications; erosion and sediment controls and remediation; and assistance with controlled burns Develop safe and functional knowledge to use and maintain all non-power and power tools and equipment used in all tasks (e.g., sprayers, tractors, seeders, trucks, and trailers, etc.) Professional and timely communication with clients (in-person, as well as by voice, text, and email) Consistently communicate with management on project status, fulfill data entry tasks, and assist with invoice creation/billing Support the Nursery, Planting & Maintenance, and Landscape Construction divisions as needed
- Qualifications
- REQUIRED Experience and Knowledge - Able to lift and carry at least 80 lbs. and be able to perform a variety of physical duties for 8+ hours daily with frequent bending, lifting and carrying. - Able to work outdoors for extended periods of time in a wide range of weather. - Strong desire to actively engage with the land to promote native biodiversity. Level 1 Qualifications: No technical experience or knowledge necessary. Level 2 Qualifications: Preference for those who have 1-2 years of work experience in ecological restoration, landscaping, farming, horticulture, arboriculture, forestry and/or logging. - Familiarity with core equipment such as chain saw, brush saw, string trimmer and backpack sprayer, or desire to learn their use. DESIRED Experience and Knowledge - Experience dry setting stone patios, walks, steps, and dry stacking stone walls. - Experience with the native plants of the Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont of Virginia or the Mid-Atlantic Region at least. - Experience operating mini-excavators and skid loaders. - Experience driving manual transmission trucks. - Experience pulling loaded trailers (two to seven tons). - Education background including an Associates or Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, environmental science, ecology, wildlife conservation, conservation management, native plant botany/studies is preferred, but related training and program certificates will certainly be considered. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES - Show up with a positive and uplifting work ethic and collaborates well with team members. - Assist conservation landscaping team with hand grading, hardscape work, planting, and maintenance. - Assist habitat restoration team with invasive exotic plant treatment and clearing, planting, and management. - Safely operate skid loaders and mini-excavators. - Safely operate chainsaws, brush cutters, string trimmers, and similar equipment. - Actively develop understanding of native plant communities through on-the-job learning and other professional development opportunities. - Assist with, and actively develop skills for, dry set and dry stack stone work.
- Contact Person
- Karl Shank
- Contact Phone
- 5408304785
- Contact eMail
- karl@thenaturalgarden.net
