Backyard Habitat Technician w/ Columbia Land Trust

Backyard Habitat Technician
1 Year Contract Position

​The Backyard Habitat Certification Program (BHCP) is a collaborative effort between Columbia Land Trust and Audubon Society of Portland. The Program provides technical assistance to small lot, private property owners to restore native wildlife habitat in the urban landscape. The objective of the program is to move properties through three levels of advanced habitat restoration certification. The Program focuses on the removal of aggressive weeds, naturescaping and planting with native plants, stormwater management, pesticide reduction and wildlife stewardship.

To date, the Program works within the City of Portland, Lake Oswego, Gresham, Fairview, Milwaukie, West Linn, Oak Grove, and Jennings Lodge. In April of 2018, the Program will expand into the cities of Oregon City, Happy Valley, Damascus, Wilsonville, and Gladstone. To support this expansion, the Program will be contracting with a Habitat Technician to provide site assessments in Oregon City, West Linn, Rivergrove, Tualatin and Stafford (Clackamas County portion only), and Wilsonville. The Habitat Technician will be primarily responsible for meeting with property owners to provide site assessments, recommendations and evaluations for certification for properties within this new service area. Secondarily, the Technician will be responsible for outreach assistance and other administrative tasks as agreed upon. We are looking for someone that is self-motivated, highly-organized, with a strong background in environmental education, knowledge of Pacific Northwest native plants and invasive/noxious weeds, excellent customer service skills and a positive attitude. For more information about the Program, visit our website at www.backyardhabitats.org.

The person selected for this position will be signing a 1 year contract with Columbia Land Trust. Columbia Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer and committed to building a diverse workforce. We are committed to equity as a core organizational value. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities:

• Work with homeowner to schedule site visit.
• Perform site visits to homeowners enrolled in the BHCP.
• Create and submit to BHCP and landowner a written site assessment report with specific recommendations on invasive species removal, naturescaping or planting of native plants, stormwater management, pesticide reduction and wildlife stewardship.
• Certify properties that meet program criteria and that are a part of an initial Site Assessment.
• Enter property data in the BHCP database.
• Participate in training and support BHCP native plant sales and outreach in the new service area.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in natural sciences, science education, environmental studies, or similar fieldof study; or related experience, training, or a combination thereof.
• Experience in naturescaping, invasive species removal, wildlife stewardship, stormwater
• management and knowledge of Pacific Northwest plants and wildlife.
• Experience engaging diverse populations, particularly communities of color and people with limited economic resources.
• Applicants will need to have a computer with internet access, car, a current driver’s license, and personal vehicle insurance minimum coverage of $300,000 combined single limit liability.

Contract Term: 1 year, March 15, 2018 – March 14, 2019. The majority of assessments will occur within the first 6 months.
Compensation: $65 per site assessment, up to 75 site assessments. Additional services provided by the Contractor will be reimbursed at the rate of $19.00/hour.
Availability: Flexible work hours with some weekend and weeknights depending on work schedule and appointments for site assessments.

Contractor will need to submit itemized invoices as work is completed and expenses are incurred, no more regularly than one per calendar month and the Columbia Land Trust will pay the invoice within 30 days after receipt.

Contractor and any person or entity performing Services on Contractor's behalf, including but not limited to Contractor's employees, agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and subcontractors are and will be either independent contractors of Contractor or Contractor's employees, and not employees or agents of Columbia Land Trust. Neither Contractor nor any of Contractor's Personnel are entitled to participate in any benefit program provided by Land Trust to its employees. This Agreement is not intended to form a partnership or joint venture between the parties.

Contractor will be solely responsible for payment of compensation to Contractor's Personnel, and will withhold from and pay to the appropriate authorities all taxes, contributions, fees, interest, or penalties imposed or required under any federal, state or local income, excise, or employment tax laws with respect to Contractor's performance of this Agreement, regardless of whether the Services are performed personally or through Contractor's Personnel.

How to Apply:
Email a resume and cover letter outlining relevant experience by March 11th, 2018 to Susie Peterson at speterson@columbialandtrust.org

Contact:
Susie Peterson, Backyard Habitat Program Manager
Columbia Land Trust
511 SE Morrison St. Portland OR 97214
(503) 841-5918