Natural Resources Technician - Seasonal Starts 4/1/24

Position Summary: Responsible for assisting in developing a successful and functional Kowabdanawa odë kė Program on tribal properties. Work may consist of projects that include operating and maintaining research-related equipment, investigating research documents, handling wildlife animals, setting and pulling traps, identifying plant and wildlife species, assisting with prescribed burns, working with the environmental program, collecting and entering data, and educating tribal citizens regarding the natural resources.

Essential Functions:

• Provide labor and support for all conservation projects on an as needed basis.
• Maintain work ethic during all tasks assigned.
• Work around streams and lakes in a variety of flow regimes and weather conditions.
• Practice safe and proper care maintenance of equipment.
• Ability to operate research-related equipment, including radio telemetry, handheld global positioning system units, water quality instruments, weather station equipment, etc.
• Ability to transport, launch, and maneuver in a Jon Boat, Canoe, or Kayak.
• Ability to use a compound or dissecting microscope to identify macroinvertebrates and insects.
• Ability to identify invasive species or ability to learn invasive species.
• Ability to identify native plants and wildlife or ability to learn how to identify species.
• Ability to operate power equipment such as indoor and outdoor saws and weed clearing equipment.
• Maintain all vehicles and equipment. Identify and troubleshoot any equipment failures.
• Operate heavy machinery and equipment including tractors and tractor implements.
• Assist with application of herbicides in upland and wetland conditions to control invasive species.
• Maintain accurate and concise records of herbicide use to include: amount used, location, concentration, date, time, and weather conditions.
• Assist with planting native trees and seeds utilizing hand and machinery methods.
• Assist with prescribed burns and planting of warm season grasses.
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office to create reports and enter data

Non-Essential Functions:

• Perform other related functions as assigned.

Equipment:

• Boat electrofisher, backpack electrofisher, fyke nets, dip nets, canoe, kayak, Manta water probes, Flowmeter
• Bob cats, front end loaders, high-lifts, stump grinders, mowers, tractors, snow plows and blowers, chain saws, jigsaws, circular saws, routers, electric saws, electric clippers, boat motors, weed razors, weed whackers, vegetation groomers and trimmers, pruners, and hand or automatic sprayers or spreaders.
• Trucks, ATV’s, Rangers, Boats, Trailers.
• Handheld GPS units, personal computers/laptops, touch screen phones/tablets
• Research-related equipment, including but not limited to: cage traps, box traps, hoop nets, hoop traps, minnow traps, funnel traps, drift fences, pitfall traps, mist nets, audio/ultrasonic recorders, binoculars/spotting scopes, radio telemetry equipment, RFID tag equipment, microscopes/hand lenses, dichotomous keys, thermometers, anemometers, pyranometers, hygrometers.

Position Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED required; some college education is preferred.
• Self-motivated able to perform with minimal supervision required.
• Ability to learn to operate, calibrate, and maintain all research and management related tools and equipment to current industry standards (e.g., GPS units, chainsaw, tractors, UTVs)
• Ability to operate handheld radio telemetry equipment.
• Ability to safely load, secure, and transport heavy equipment on truck and trailer.
• Experience and knowledge of Michigan Department of Transportation’s procedures for transporting, securing and loading large machinery on equipment trailers.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and meet insurance requirements to utilize Pokagon Band vehicles
• Ability to pass background checks for employment.

Indian Preference:

• Pokagon Band Preference Code applies.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to operate equipment.
• Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, and crawl.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.

Work Environment:

• Outdoor environment; frequently exposed to outside weather condition during all four seasons.
• Local travel is necessary, so the ability to travel as needed is required. Occasional long-distance travel may be necessary for training purposes.
• Occasional strenuous work required.

Competencies:

• Continuous Learning
• Quality Focus
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Adaptability
• Analytical Thinking