Field Technician II

The Kōke'e Resource Conservation Program's Field Technician II conducts alien plant monitoring, removal, survey and control at worksites located within the Kōkeʻe, Waimea Canyon, and Nā Pali State Parks, and surrounding Forestry Reserve and Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi.

Status: Full-Time, Permanent

Compensation: $3800 to $4500 per month. Starting salary will be based on experience. 

Duties:

• Assist with natural resource management field operations which includes the removal and treatment of noxious and invasive alien plants using mechanical and chemical techniques.

• Participate in special-use helicopter operations that include transport of external loads, low-elevation surveys, and remote/hover landings.

• Assist in maintaining ungulate proof fences, performs inspections of existing fences, and conducts repair Maintain company vehicles, field equipment, facilities, and communication systems

• Responsible for preparing, safe handling, storage, and clean-up of herbicides.

• Assist with GPS mapping, data collection, and data entry

• Enters field data into multiple databases, including conventional Geographic Information System (GIS) software.

• Ensure compliance with all Hawaii State Parks and Forestry rules and safety procedures.

• Assist with interpretive hikes, outreach events, and fundraising efforts to help build good community relations

• Supervise activities of field staff and volunteers in the field.

• Orient volunteers and provide daily safety briefing.

• Effectively teach volunteers identification of native and non-native plants, and treatment methods for target invasive.
• Keep written daily records, map areas worked, and file accident reports as necessary.

• Track inventory and order field supplies and equipment as needed.

• Drive off-road vehicles, do strenuous hiking in rough terrain and through dense vegetation, sometimes in inclement weather, with a backpack weighing up to 35 pounds. 

Primary Qualifications:

Education: High school diploma required; college degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 1 year work experience working in forest conservation and natural resource management in Hawaiʻi.

Knowledge:

• Herbicide use and weed control techniques.

• Hawaiʻiʻs native and non-native plant species

• Kauaʻiʻs landscapes and backcountry areas specifically within Kōkeʻe, Waimea Canyon, Nā Pali Coastal State Parks, and surrounding areas of Forest Reserves and Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve.

• Map reading and orienteering for the purpose of navigating rugged terrain with a compass and GPS.

Abilities and Skills:

• Ability to convey work instructions to other team members, including volunteers.

• Ability to function productively as the leader of a work team. Ability to read, comprehend and apply written directions and a high degree of verbal skill in addition to the ability to make basic mathematical computations including percentages and averages.

• Ability to perform physical work in rugged terrain while under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.

• PC familiarity, including database knowledge.

• Ability and willingness to take on additional tasks and responsibilities within job parameters, commensurate to work experience.

• Experience driving on back-country/off pavement roads with 4x4 vehicles, specifically in Kōkeʻe.

Training and Qualifications:

• Helicopter transport of External Load certification (www.iat.gov course A-219)

• Current Wilderness First Aid certification

• Pesticide Applicator Certification from the State of Hawaii

• Current Hawaii Driver’s License 

Additional Qualifications Desired:

• Experience operating various types of equipment and tools safely (chainsaw, machete, etc.)

• Helicopter safety training certification (A-100 BasicAviation Safety, A-110 Aviation Transportation of Hazardous Material, A-200 Mishap Review)

• Experiencewith Geographic Information System (GIS) and field mapping techniques.

• Certifications such as first aid, CPR, and herbicide application 

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be available Monday-Thursday 7a-5p.

• Available for 4-day remote camping work trips. Possibility of earning overtime on camping trips.

• Insurable on company vehicle insurance policy and maintain eligibility throughout duration of employment.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted on uneven terrain.

• Pass a drug test with negative results to be completed within 1 (one) week of hire date.