Conservation Technician

University Of Nebraska Omaha; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is seeking a part-time Conservation Technician to assist with land management activities at Glacier Creek Preserve. This role involves working outdoors, managing invasive species, and maintaining the preserve's facilities. Ideal candidates will have a strong work ethic, physical fitness, and a willingness to learn necessary skills for the job.

Qualifications

• Good physical condition and willingness to work outdoors.
• Ability to safely use hand tools and equipment.
• Willingness to learn to mix and apply herbicides and pesticides.

Responsibilities

• Assist with mechanical and chemical control of invasive species.
• Conduct grounds maintenance and general repairs.
• Support prescribed fire operations and data collection.

Skills

Physical fitness

Ability to work outdoors

Use of hand tools

Pesticide application

Tractor operation

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to preventing and eliminating discrimination against employees and prospective employees based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. The University of Nebraska at Omaha does not condone or tolerate discrimination. In support of this policy, the University has implemented employment programs to recruit, employ, and promote qualified individuals based solely on their knowledge, skills, abilities and talents. These factors, along with our commitment to recruit, assess and select all candidates/employees using job-related criteria, ensure fairness, equal evaluation, and treatment in our selection decisions and processes.

Position Information

Job Title

Department

Department Biology

Essential Functions

Glacier Creek Preserve, managed by the Department of Biology at UNO , is seeking one individual to assist part-time with land management activities. The Conservation Technician will work as part of a team but may be asked to independently complete the following duties: 1) Mechanical and chemical control of invasive plant species, 2) Tree and brush cutting and clearing, 3) Assisting with prescribed fire operations, 4) Grounds maintenance, 5) General repair and maintenance of existing structures and equipment, 6) GPS data collection, 7) Assisting with seed collection, 8) Assisting with environmental and land management monitoring projects and equipment and, 9) Assisting with Volunteer workdays and other activities that relate to overall Preserve operations and management.

The principal work site is UNO’s Glacier Creek Preserve, located at 14810 State Street, Bennington NE, 68007. Additional sites include T.L. Davis Preserve south of Elkhorn, NE, a ridgetop prairie and oak woodland habitat, and a field location south of Mead, NE where additional burn and mow research plots are maintained.

Work Schedule

Work Schedule A consistent schedule of 20 hours/week with some flexible scheduling outside of regular hours may be required to meet land management and prescribed fire objectives. Regular hours will generally fit within a Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm schedule.

Additional Duties

-

Required Qualifications

· Applicants must be in good physical condition and willing to work outdoors.

· Must be comfortable working in an outdoor environment where there is exposure to mosquitos, and other insects, tall vegetation, sun, wind and seasonally hot or cold temperatures.

· Applicants must be able or willing to learn to safely use hand tools, including loppers, hand saws, weed eaters, and backpack sprayers.

· Applicants must be able or willing to learn to safely mix and apply herbicides and pesticides.

· Applicants must be able or willing to learn to safely use a tractor, UTV , 4 × 4 Ford F-250 truck, and various mowers and brush cutters.

· Applicants must be able to safely use equipment independently.

· Ability to attain Nebraska Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification with Forest Pest endorsement within 30 calendar days from start date.

Preferred Qualifications

· Must be punctual and reliable.

· Applicants with prior land management experience.

· Applicant with prescribed fire experience.

· Applicants with a Nebraska Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification with Forest Pest endorsement.

· Applicants with knowledge of maintenance and operation of gas-powered hand tools and off- road vehicles.

· Ability to work independently and efficiently.

Physical Demands

In general, the physical demands include regularly operating electric/gas-powered tools, mowers, tractors, trucks, and UTVs, regularly standing, hiking and walking moderate distances on uneven terrain, and kneeling, lifting and carrying moderate to heavy objects. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

The work environment characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. This position regularly works outdoors most often in a prairie, wetland, or an agricultural environment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in the outdoor conditions described above.

Posting Number

Posting Number 2025T-00111

Open Date

Open Date 04/09/2025

Close Date

Close Date 11/25/2025

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to preventing and eliminating discrimination against employees and prospective employees based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. The University of Nebraska at Omaha does not condone or tolerate discrimination. In support of this policy, the University has implemented employment programs to recruit, employ, and promote qualified individuals based solely on their knowledge, skills, abilities and talents. These factors, along with our commitment to recruit, assess and select all candidates/employees using job-related criteria, ensure fairness, equal evaluation, and treatment in our selection decisions and processes.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have any prior land management experience?
  • Yes
  • No