Grays Harbor CD Riparian Restoration Crew Member

All original content is; Washington; On-site; USD 23,866 - 33,992; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement contributions matched

Job summary

A regional conservation organization in Washington seeks a Restoration Crew Member. This full-time position involves hands-on implementation of restoration projects, including planting native species and managing invasive plants. Successful candidates must have experience in fieldwork and effective communication skills. The compensation is $21 per hour with comprehensive health benefits. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, starting Fall 2025.

Qualifications

• Experience with field work and restoration practices.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions.
• Strong attention to detail and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plant native trees and shrubs at restoration sites.
• Treat invasive plant species mechanically and chemically.
• Collect field data on plant survival and restoration effectiveness.
• Participate in routine safety talks and training sessions.

Skills

Invasive species management

Planting maintenance

Field data collection

Effective communication

Tools

GPS equipment

Pesticide application equipment

Hand tools

Job description

Grays Harbor CD Riparian Restoration Crew Member

Position Description

The Restoration Crew Member position is a grant-funded, regular, full-time, hourly employee serving the Grays Harbor Conservation District (District). This position is responsible to the District Board of Directors and is supervised by the Restoration Crew Lead. The Restoration Crew is housed within the District’s Watershed Restoration Program (WRP).

Restoration Crew Members perform on-the-ground implementation of District restoration projects, including but not limited to: invasive species management, native tree/shrub/herbaceous plantings, planting monitoring/maintenance, and small-scale in-stream construction projects. Crew members are essential team members for the successful implementation of the District’s conservation practices. The work is based in Elma, WA, with job sites throughout beautiful Grays Harbor County. The District crew works on restoration projects ranging from large salmon-bearing rivers such as the Satsop, Wynoochee, and Chehalis to small headwater streams in the Olympic foothills.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plant native riparian trees and shrubs at restoration projects on private and public lands
• Maintenance/irrigation of native riparian tree and shrub plantings
• Mechanical/chemical treatment of invasive plant species
• Installation of woody hand-built in-stream restoration structures such as beaver dam analogues or post assisted log structures
• Installation of livestock exclusion fences
• Collection of field data on plant survival, invasive plant treatment effectiveness, and in-stream restoration effectiveness
• Work as a team with other crew members and the crew lead to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
• Follow all safety and risk management protocols
• Maintenance of hand tools, power tools, safety equipment, and other field crew assets
• Conduct on-site quality control and communicate/apply restoration project standards/expectations
• Read and interpret project scopes of work and maps
• Track projects/tasks with a strong sense of ownership, follow-through, attention to detail, and communication
• In coordination with project managers the crew lead and other crew members, develop efficient and adaptable field implementation plans
• Regular reporting of project progress, challenges, and personnel issues to the crew lead
• Collaborate with other private or public field crews working on the same assigned projects
• Manage and maintain the District crew shop
• Participate in routine safety talks and training sessions
• Care for, maintain, and ensure security of vehicles, tools, property, and equipment
• Utilize field gps equipment to identify property boundaries, project locations, and collect data
• Safely mix and apply herbicide using pesticide application equipment such as backpack sprayers
• Other project work such as conducting basic forest inventory, native plant nursery management, habitat surveys, fish barrier assessment surveys, and collecting topographic survey data may be assigned as needed.

Compensation

Starting at $21 per hour
2 month probationary period
Grays Harbor Conservation District offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits through the State of Washington Department of Retirement System (DRS) and the Health Care Authority Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). Retirement contributions made by employees are matched by the conservation district at a rate established annually by the DRS. The conservation district provides 100%
coverage on the premiums for our PEBB health, dental vision, life and long term disability benefits package for employees and their dependents.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with initial screening and interviews beginning Fall 2025.

A full job description and application can be found here .