Research Technician III (Temporary) (Multiple Positions)

• Transport, salvage, re-plant, and measure saguaro cacti at field locations. This will include uprooting and transplanting of wild plants, and some re-planting nursery-grown cacti.
• Map locations of plantings and measure cacti.
• Drive to field sites to plant saguaros and occasionally camp overnight.
• Prepare field equipment including slings, netting, wire cages, water and other materials to protect and transport plants.
• Erect nest boxes on trees and tripods and transport boxes and other materials and tools into the field to foster box setup at selected locations.
• Use ladders and hand tools including saws and chainsaws to prepare sites for mounting boxes, clean, maintain, and make small repairs to nest boxes.
• Deploy native seeds within restoration plots and areas near and away from erosion control structures and occasionally help build erosion structures of rock and brush.
• Complete pre- and post-seeding vegetation monitoring and data collection to document baseline conditions.
• Prepare, clean and sometimes purchase field equipment, travel to job sites, work with and communicate effectively with staff, managers, contractors and supervisor to foster efficient and safe implementation of field work for field team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to traverse rugged often off-trail terrain and carry or wheel saguaros and other equipment and supplies with hand trucks, wagons, and AT vehicles to planting sites.
• Knowledge of native plants, landscaping, horticulture, erosion control, seeding, and experience planting and transplanting native plants.
• Ability to use hand and power tools such as hammer drills, drills, saws, chainsaws.
• Skill and ability to climb a ladder and work at heights >10 feet off the ground.
• Ability to interact with agency personnel, land managers, and contractors to facilitate safety in the field and plan work.
• Knowledge and past experience with ecological restoration, desert plants and plant identification, basic woodworking skills, overland navigation, and working on a field crew focused on ecological restoration.