Restoration Technician

Kate on Conservation; Hyde Park Township (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization dedicated to bat conservation is seeking part-time Restoration Field Technicians. Candidates will engage in various fieldwork activities aimed at habitat restoration and conservation for bats and other wildlife. The role requires travel, physical endurance, and teamwork in remote environments. Ideal candidates should possess relevant experience and a commitment to conservation efforts.

Benefits

Housing accommodations for fieldwork

Flexible office work

Qualifications

• 2 years experience in Biology or related fields.
• Ability to carry 30lbs comfortably.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fieldwork for conservation/restoration activities.
• Assist with construction of wildlife habitat structures.
• Participate in data management and project reporting.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-Solving

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

GPS

ArcGIS

Chainsaw

Job description

Status: Part-Time; Non-Exempt

Reports to: Restoration Specialist (Brianna Mann)

Salary: $20 – $25/hour depending on experience (+ overtime)

BCI and our Mission

Bat Conservation International (BCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions worldwide, seeks three to seven Restoration Field Technicians to join BCI’s Conservation Department. The Restoration Field Technician will work as part of the Restoration Team in the Habitat Protection & Restoration Program (HP&R).

Primary Responsibilities and Expectations

This position is open to a highly motivated individual willing and able to conduct fieldwork safely and efficiently in a variety of environments. The successful candidate will perform a variety of conservation/restoration activities for HP&R that benefit bats and other wildlife. These tasks include but are not limited to fence construction, pond/tank development and improvement, erosion control, native vegetation planting including agave planting, eDNA collection, and seed collection, acoustic detector installation/management, use of hand/power tools, invasive vegetation removal and control, working in proximity to heavy equipment, participating in program certification and training, planning projects, writing reports, managing data, and conducting training exercises. Extensive travel, primarily in the western United States, will be required, with much of the work being conducted in rough topography in remote areas with limited access. Camping will sometimes be necessary at field sites (gear is available upon request). Additionally, this position may assist other teams within HP&R. These duties may include subterranean biological surveys, geospatial analysis, cultural surveys, and environmental compliance.

Work Schedule:

This is a part-time, intermittent position that will work on an as-needed basis. Scheduling for field trips is ideally done with 3 months advance notice but often is limited to 1-month advance notice. Field projects may require multi-day travel within the United States with fieldwork trips of 1-2 weeks in duration. Field sessions typically last five weekdays, including paid travel days, though some projects may last longer and may include working weekends. Travel and fieldwork days range from 8–12 working hours, sometimes more. Overnight lodging will usually be provided in hotel rooms or shared house rentals, with private bedrooms for each team member. Some projects may require overnight camping; BCI will provide basic camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag and pad, stove, etc.) as needed. Office work, when available, is flexible and will occur remotely from a home office. The use of a computer will sometimes be necessary to complete office work (a computer can be available upon request). Dependent on fieldwork, data management, and reporting needs, work schedules will vary from 1 week per month up to 4 weeks per month.

Please note that BCI provides housing accommodations for fieldwork only and does not offer additional housing.

Position Description:

The Restoration Technician will assist with :

• Construction of pipe-rail, wire, and other fence types.
• Construction of rock erosion control and stream stabilization structures.
• Construction of pooled water resources (stock ponds, springs, small stream rehabilitation) for bat habitat and other wildlife.
• Assessment surveys of springs, stock-ponds, and other wildlife resources.
• Support the agave restoration program for nectar-feeding bats by participating in agave plantings, seed collection, eDNA surveys, and occasional public outreach/volunteer planting events.
• Invasive plant species removal and native introduction/plantings.
• Installation and maintenance of acoustic monitors.
• Inputting and processing data and photos collected during assessments.
• Assisting with project reporting and coordinating with project partners.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

Required Knowledge/Experience:

• Undergraduate degree and/or 2 years dedicated to similar experience in Biology, Fish and Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Recreation Management, Restoration, trail work, or related fields.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity.
• Ability to work well with others and within a team.
• A willingness to travel and work in remote or rugged environments.
• Ability to carry 30lbs comfortably.
• A valid U.S. driver’s license.

Preferred Knowledge/Experience (not required):

• Experience in natural resource restoration and/or monitoring.
• Experience in scientific survey methods and field survey techniques.
• Experience in off-trail navigation via map and compass and/or GPS.
• Experience in bat biology, ecology, or bat survey techniques.
• Experience or interest in report writing, protocol development, and data management processes.
• Knowledge of forest thinning prescription types and/or tree felling experience.
• Experience or interest in watershed restoration, erosion control methods, or stream restoration.
• Experience or a willingness to learn 4×4 off-road driving and hauling a trailer.
• Experience in construction environments with heavy equipment and machinery.
• Experience or a willingness to learn hand and power tool operation (welder, chainsaw, chop saw, grinder, and heavy equipment operation).
• Interest of experience with ArcGIS and Survey 123.
• Certifications in first aid and CPR (training may be provided if necessary).
• 2-3 years professional experience.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and hike with a 50-pound pack.

This job is for you if you:

• Enjoy collaborating, learning, and applying progressive thinking.
• Demonstrate initiative and resourceful problem-solving skills.
• Are detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Can work independently with limited supervision and high motivation.
• Possess organizational skills and ability to handle a multitude of tasks and deadlines.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)

BCI is deeply committed to JEDI and embeds JEDI-centered practices in its conservation work and organizational culture. BCI is determined to be an employer of choice and believes that the best organizational performance will come from a safe, diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about our JEDI statement at www.batcon.org/about-us/justice-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/.

To Apply

If you have 70% or more of the desired qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

Individuals interested in applying should upload their resume and a written response (1 page or less) responding to the following questions:

Based on our job posting, why are you interested in this position, and how has your work and lived experiences prepared you to be successful in this role?

Start date as early as June 2, 2025. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis and will remain open until all positions are filled.

***All Applications are Reviewed in ADP Workforce Now***

https://1.adp.com/AjZuSaHvDT6

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/WAZNRxH7qMpJECzOkijgqR

PI270653480