Conservation Crew Technician

Trout Unlimited; West Virginia; On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Trout Unlimited in West Virginia seeks energetic, motivated individuals for seasonal field technician roles in 2026. The positions offer hands-on training in fencing, riparian plantings, habitat restoration, and multiple field surveys, with up to 1,000 hours or 6 months maximum.

Positions require travel to sites across West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, with crews typically working 4-10 hour days. Start dates are negotiable in spring/early summer 2026, and candidates must be able to operate

Qualifications

• General knowledge of conservation techniques and best management practices in agricultural settings.
• Knowledge of high tensile fence construction methods and basic construction practices.
• Capable of operating farm machinery such as tractors, skid loaders, fence post drivers and power tools.
• Capable of operating motorized vehicles, trucks up to 20,000 lbs gross weight and trailers up to 10,000 lbs.
• Ability to pass a background check.

Responsibilities

• Organizes materials and tools to carry out tasks efficiently.
• Constructs habitat restoration projects with guidance from TU staff.
• Performs high-tensile fence construction and riparian restoration.
• Follows all safety procedures and rules.
• Assists with pipeline and water trough installation.
• Assists in stream crossing installation and riparian tree plantings.
• Prepares reports documenting work completed.

Skills

Conservation techniques

Fence construction

Operate farm machinery

Background check

Teamwork in remote settings

Job 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.

Temporary Description

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

Trout Unlimited in West Virginia is looking for energetic, intelligent, and motivated individuals for seasonal employment in 2026. We are looking to fill an entry-level, seasonal technician position with negotiable spring/early summer 2026 start dates. These seasonal positions have flexible end dates with maximum performance periods of 6 months or 1,000 hours. Successful candidates will receive training and experience in Agriculture exclusion fencing, alternative watering systems and riparian tree plantings. Other field experiences and trainings include: stream habitat enhancement, stream bank shaping, invasive species removal, heavy equipment operation, stream crossings and various field surveys.

This position has varying work locations throughout the states of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. Overnight travel will be required. Crews typically work 4-10 hour workdays.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Organizes materials and tools to carry out assigned tasks in an efficient manner
• Constructs habitat restoration projects with guidance from other TU staff
• High tensile fence construction and riparian habitat restoration
• Follows all safety procedures and rules
• Assists with pipeline and water trough installation.
• Assists in stream crossing installation.
• Assists with riparian tree plantings.
• Prepares reports documenting work completed.
• Represents TU in an appropriate manner working around landowners and partners that consistent with TU guidelines while performing work and on travel for TU.
• In the absence of the crew leader, crew member may direct other crew members, interns, material transport, and equipment usage to efficiently construct projects according to standard practice for the Trout Unlimited program.

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

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• General knowledge of conservation techniques and best management practices in agricultural settings.
• Knowledge of high tensile fence construction methods Knowledge of basic construction practices.
• Capable of operating farm machinery such as farm tractors, skid loaders, fence post drivers and power tools.
• Capable of operating motorized vehicles, trucks to 20,000 lbs., gross weight and towing trailers to 10,000 lbs.
• Capability to acquire licenses, certificates, permits, or other requirements of operating machinery or tools in the performance of the work.
• Ability to pass a background check.

Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following:

• Knowledge of building fence
• Knowledge of plumbing systems and watering troughs
• Experience running heavy equipment and safety procedures
• Experience driving trailers and hauling equipment
• Commercial Driver's License
• First Aid/CPR training
• Experience living and working in remote teams
• Experience with stream and/or riparian restoration practices.

Salary Description $15.00/hr - $20.00/ hr