Fencing Crew Member

About the program: The Kohala Center’s Kohala Watershed Partnership (KWP) program is a voluntary coalition of private landowners and public land managers dedicated to restoring and protecting the native forested watersheds of Kohala Mountain. It is estimated that half of Hawai‘i’s forests have been lost to deforestation, with the remainder threatened by non-native plants and animals. Through the implementation of an adaptive watershed management plan to create fenced preserves, manage feral ungulates, control invasive plants, and restore native forests, the Partnership’s projects protect essential ecosystem services including the capture of rainwater, sediment mitigation, and groundwater recharge. These actions ensure that both native ecosystems and human communities in North Hawai‘i have an abundant supply of fresh water, and protect downslope coastal ecosystems from the detrimental effects of land-based pollution.

Essential Duties:

Work as part of the Kohala Watershed Partnership (KWP) fencing crew to construct and maintain ungulate-proof fences.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A minimum of two years’ experience in field work and labor, including fence construction, erosion control, native species propagation, restoration, surveys, animal control, and weed control.
• Ability to carry a 50-pound pack over rough terrain.
• Ability to drive standard transmission, 4×4 off-road vehicles, ATV’s, and trailers.
• Ability to maintain a cooperative attitude while working in inclement weather under difficult conditions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Flexible schedule to allow for extended, overnight camping trips (usually Monday through Thursday.)
• Ranch operations knowledge or experience.
• Experience utilizing GPS units and GIS software.
• Training and safe use of firearms, pesticides/herbicides, welding, power tools, and helicopter-assisted operations.

Certificates, Licenses, Education:

• High school degree.
• Valid driver’s license.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in outdoor locations. Field activities may take place in steep, rocky, unstable terrain.

To Apply:

Please download and fill out the employment application form and submit with your cover letter and resume to Cortney Okumura at cokumura@kohalacenter.org. No phone calls, please.