TUCSON AUDUBON SOCIETY

TITLE: CoATIS Crew Member

DEPARTMENT: Restoration

FTE STATUS: Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

POSITION STATUS: Temporary/Seasonal

POSITION TERM: 3 months (w/ potential for a permanent position)

POSITION LOCATION: Sonoran Desert Network- Desert Research Learning Center

REPORTS TO: Invasive Plant Program – Senior Manager

SUMMARY:

The CoATIS Crew Member serves as a member of the Federal Lands Invasive Plant Strike Team (CoATIS – Collaborative Audubon Inventory and Treatment Squad), which is responsible for invasive plant species management (identification, assessment, treatment, monitoring) primarily at a variety of ecologically sensitive and high-priority areas on lands managed by federal agencies throughout the Desert Southwest region with geographic scope extended as far as Oklahoma. The Strike Team Crew must become certified applicators within the state of Arizona under the Environmental Services Division of the AZ Department of Agriculture.

Up to 2/3 of your time will be based on remote work throughout the region consisting of 4 to 8-day hitches involving remote camping (near our vehicles) or lodging in government-provided quarters. The remaining time will be based locally in Tucson and involve day trips or work at Saguaro National Park. When not working with federal agency partners, the Strike Team Crew will work with other Tucson Audubon crews on a variety of work including, but not limited to, invasive plant control, hazardous fuels management, vegetation mapping, and habitat creation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administration

• Provides information needed for reports to federal agencies.
• Coordinates any vehicle maintenance needs with federal agencies while using federal vehicles.

Invasive Species Control

• Works on agency lands to accomplish required invasive plant management tasks including:
  • Identification and mapping of designated areas,
  • Manual, chemical, or other prescribed treatment of invasive species as determined appropriate to site and seasonal windows, and
  • Assessment of efficacy and re-treatment need, post-control effort.
• Maintains field equipment in good working order.
• Notifies TAS and Agency of any reportable spills of herbicide.
• Maintains all application and treatment site records according to federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Enters field data using Agency-preferred means.
• Maintain backups of field data at TAS (or cloud) and primary office space.
• Maintains field and office electronics (laptop, tablets, phones) and requests software and additional equipment as needs arise.

Program operation

• Makes recommendations for capacity changes in regards to labor, materials, equipment, and training on projects to Strike Team Lead.
• Assists Strike Team Lead with evaluating current inter-organizational relationships and assessing efficiency and efficacy toward accomplishing conservation goals.
• Assists with evaluating current methods for efficiency of data produced in assessing site performance.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works in the field on additional TAS projects when not on federal partnership projects.
• Assists with habitat and ecosystem restoration or conservation and research projects, as funding and licensing become available.
• May participate in mechanical and chemical weed control, habitat creation, bank stabilization and erosion control, vegetation and avian surveys, and rainwater harvesting.
• Communicates program and project outcomes to the public, funders, membership, and staff and supplies information for or writes articles regarding projects as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position has no direct reports but may at times oversee volunteers working on designated projects. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for those with disabilities.

• This position operates mainly in the field in a variety of sites throughout the Desert Southwest.
• Ability to work in an office environment and use a keyboard, mouse, and other common office equipment.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and push and pull loads.
• Ability to walk 8 miles in rugged conditions including loose sand and rocky trails.
• Ability to conduct field work outdoors for 10 hours in all weather conditions including extreme summer heat, freezing winter conditions, and dry or rainy days.
• Ability to walk, stand, kneel, and occasionally climb ladders or lie on the ground.
• Ability to use hands for manual tasks requiring strength and dexterity.
• Required to drive in dark or low-light settings and on rugged roads.
• Ability to speak and hear coworkers in sometimes loud or open environments.
• Will regularly camp or work from remote locations for multiple days.
• Ability to safely apply pesticides according to label instructions with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.
• May use light equipment, heavy tools, chainsaws, and all manner of field survey equipment.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND COMPETENCIES:

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 18 years old
• Proficient in using maps and GPS units
• Experience with computer software including Office and G-suite applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task
• Flexible approach to work and work schedule
• Attain a Certified Applicator license through AZDA Environmental Services Division within 90 days of hire
• Experience managing invasive species, preferably those common to southwest arid landscapes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate positively with people at all levels
• Valid Arizona Driver’s License
• Understanding of and commitment to the organization’s mission, goals, and values
• An interest in birds, natural history, and wildlife conservation

Preferred

• Certified Applicator license for herbicides or experience working with pesticides.
• Experience working on a field crew, especially in remote settings
• Experience operating vehicles towing a trailer, driving off-road, and on the highway
• Proficiency with GIS software
• Mechanical skills required for small engine repair
• Experience or training for bird and vegetation surveys, or holding survey permits for Threatened and Endangered species
• Experience operating and maintaining chainsaws, brush cutters, herbicide spray equipment, mowers, and other power tools
• Experience with and knowledge of the Sonoran Desert, Sky Islands, and other southeastern Arizona habitats

A combination of education and experience may be considered if it directly relates to the position and supports the ability to successfully perform the job.

Tucson Audubon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our programs and employment are open to all. We value diversity and do not permit any discrimination against applicants, employees, or volunteers on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law or statute in any of our policies or programs.

At Tucson Audubon, our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) goes beyond being in full compliance with employment law; Tucson Audubon actively cultivates a culture that embraces differences, with the commitment that everyone is a valued member of our team and is treated with respect and dignity. We intentionally work to foster a culture of inclusion with openness, honesty, visibility, creativity, and trust as core values.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities and details required for each duty listed above. Detailed work plans should be developed with the manager and designed around the duties listed above and should address program and organizational goals.

This position has been reviewed and approved by management.