Local recruitment: Stream Restoration Technician

Trout Unlimited

Johnson City, TN, USA 🇺🇸

Job Type: Temporary

Description

 ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED

Trout Unlimited is a national organization with 300,000 members and supporters organized into over 400 chapters and councils nationwide. These dedicated grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists, who work out of more than 45 offices across the country.  Our mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds.  

POSITION SUMMARY

Stream Restoration Technicians (3 positions available) will report directly to the Southern Appalachians Project Manager. These positions will work as part of a team to assist in activities that support native trout and other important aquatic resources on Cherokee National Forest, TN. The primary function will be habitat improvement through strategic wood addition on select streams, utilizing chainsaws, grip hoists and other hand tools to selectively place tree into a stream channel. This is a 12-week seasonal position, beginning in mid-January 2023.  

Work will require traversing difficult terrain while carrying field gear up to 50 pounds, potentially working in inclement weather. Personal protective equipment will be provided. Technicians will be responsible for providing their own work-approved footwear (rubber-soled, leather boots).

The position will be based out of Johnson City, TN in the North Zone of Cherokee National Forest. Work locations will occur on both the North and South Zones of Cherokee National Forest, with roughly 6 weeks in each zone. While working in the North Zone, the team will meet daily and travel together in a provided vehicle to project locations each day. The South Zone work will require multi-night travel (4 days/3 nights per week) and travel expenses will be covered as part of the position.

Technicians will be expected to work 40 hours per week (typically four 10-hour days) and will be paid $15 per hour

Requirements

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· With appropriate training and under the guidance of a crew leader, use tools (chainsaws, grip hoists, hand tools, pulleys, levers) to place trees into streams to create aquatic habitat.

· Transport gear (up to 50 lbs/crew member) daily over difficult terrain

· Work as a team with a high degree of coordination and communication

· Keep a positive attitude and follow directions while conducting physically demanding work, often in inclement weather

· Maintain equipment and report maintenance/equipment needs to supervisor

· Collaborate on field design and implementation of structures to enhance stream morphology

· Operate in areas with no cellular service

· Perform all duties with safety as top priority

· Maintain a high level of integrity while on the job

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Demonstrable experience using chainsaws, grip hoists, hand tools, pulleys, levers or other comparable tools

· Ability to quickly acquire skills and learn new techniques

· First Aid/CPR certification before start of employment

· Willing to work long days in challenging environments

· Strong communication skills

· A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass background checks for employment

· A strong passion for native fishes and the watersheds upon which they rely

· Ability to work cooperatively in a team with varied skills, abilities and perspectives

· Ability to think creatively, keep an open mind, and take constructive criticism

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Experience with directional tree felling

· Any level of USFS Sawyer qualification

· Trail maintenance or construction experience

· Tree ID skills

· Knowledge of fish habitat and/or basic hydrology

· A strong passion for native fishes and the watersheds upon which they rely

At TU, we value a diverse representation of staff, and we actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically under-represented in conservation and those who have been most impacted by degraded rivers and streams. We are committed to building space for all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and clean our shared waters.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome you to read more about TU’s equity practice and values.

Salary Description: $15 per hour


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

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