Technician, Land Stewardship

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary:

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (including the Blair Audubon Center) is one of the National Audubon Society's premiere centers. Operating as part of the state program in Florida, the Sanctuary unites visitor and education experiences with science-based conservation to understand, protect and restore habitats on its 13,000 acres and its regional and connected watershed and public lands corridors.

The Land Stewardship Technician will report to the Land Stewardship Manager and will help carry out land stewardship activities to support conservation of the Sanctuary and surrounding Western Everglades. This will involve assisting with implementation of a science-based land management plan through field work to remove invasive exotic and native nuisance plants and prescribed fire. The Land Stewardship Technician will coordinate with conservation and facilities staff, contractors, and volunteers to assist with these primary tasks.

This full-time 40-hour per week position is classified as on-site based out of Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Naples, FL).

Compensation:

$23.00 / hour

Essential Functions:

• Remove invasive and native nuisance plants within the Sanctuary using boom sprayers, backpack sprayers, ATV/UTV-mounted sprayers, machetes, chainsaws, and other equipment, as needed.

• Serve as a member of the Sanctuary prescribed fire team, assisting with preparation, team coordination, ignition, suppression, and post-fire mop up.

• Responsible for maintaining accurate, detailed records of land stewardship activities, particularly herbicide inventories, treatment tracks, and other application information.

• Assist with invasive animal monitoring, reporting, and removal (may include snails, insects, fish, lizards, snakes, etc.).

• Safely operate multiple off-road vehicles (4WD trucks, ATVs, UTVs, swamp buggies, and airboats) and maintain field equipment.

• Maintain fire breaks and trails using chainsaws, weed eaters, tractors, discs, mowers and other power equipment.

• Responsible for daily upkeep, trouble-shooting, and basic maintenance of vehicles and equipment.

• Implement, recommend, and consistently follow safe work habits and procedures.

• Effectively train, communicate with, and oversee (as crew leader) volunteers assisting with land stewardship activities.

• Maintain consistently clear and professional communication with staff, Sanctuary visitors, donors, visiting colleagues, and others.

• Provide written and verbal progress reports.

• Maintain and foster culture of safety.

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• High School Diploma, GED, or Vocational training required.

• 1+ years’ experience in land stewardship or other environmental field work required. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Strong sense of direction and excellent navigation and geolocation skills are required. Experience with handheld GPS, GoogleEarth, Survey123, or FieldMaps is a plus.

• Ability to learn protocols and plant and animal identification is required. Knowledge of South Florida ecosystems and experience with herbicide application is preferred.

• The successful candidate must demonstrate an ability to pivot and adapt to changing circumstances and work conditions, and an ability to improvise and problem solve in the field.

• Demonstrated commitment to safety through strict adherence to health and safety requirements, exercising sound judgement, and acting quickly in emergencies.

• Must have (or be able to independently obtain within stated timeframe after hire) the following certifications:

  • First Aid and CPR Training (within 3 months)

  • National Wildfire Coordinating Group S130 (Firefighter Training) and S190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (within 6 months)

  • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Pesticide Applicator License (within 12 months)

• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills are required; experience leading field crews (including volunteers) is desired.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license with a clean driving record. Must have a vehicle for transportation to/from the job site and a smartphone that can be used across Collier & Lee Counties to communicate with other staff during working hours.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Building Relationships: Establish and nurture meaningful connections and trust with others while fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect.  

Problem Solving: Find effective solutions to challenges and support decision-making by drawing on critical thinking, creativity, and systematic approaches.  

Accountability: Be reliable and trustworthy in fulfilling commitments while recognizing inequities that may impact the ability of others to fulfill responsibilities effectively.  

Supporting Change: Adapt to changes and modify behavior in response to new information or unexpected obstacles while considering the diverse needs of others.  

Critical Thinking: Take an active approach to analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting information or situations objectively and logically to make informed decisions or judgments.  

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.