Natural Resources Field Technician Lead 04077 NWRC

About the role

We are seeking a proactive, self-reliant, problem solver to lead a two-person team as a Natural Resources Field Technician Lead. This field-based position requires someone who is comfortable in remote environments, adapts to dynamic conditions, and demonstrates sound decision-making in challenging situations without constant supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 2 – 3 Range Technicians in data collection and field sampling assignments.
• Cook
• Coordinate daily field operations with other leads stationed in the same area.
• Independently address challenges in the field and adapt plans as necessary to ensure safety and data quality.
• Execute and enforce established field protocols for vegetation sampling and data collection (including species inventory, foliar cover, canopy gap, species abundance, and herbaceous and woody heights).
• Provide guidance to team members on the collection and maintenance of field data.
• Take accountability for the accuracy, completeness, and organization of collected data and photos, ensuring they are properly entered, reviewed, and uploaded to the proper channels in a timely manner.
• Safely navigate off-trail and operate 4WD vehicles on remote, unmaintained roads.
• Ensure proper care and maintenance of all equipment, including vehicles, to avoid unnecessary damage or loss.
• Perform qualitative range assessments, collect photo points, and conduct extensive QA/QC checks on collected data and photos.
• Dig soil pits to characterize and describe soil horizons and correlate sites with ecological site descriptions (ESDs).
• Utilize handheld units for data collection, and upload photos to the NRCS server.
• Maintain regular communication with project management, support staff and NRCS range staff.

Requirements

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in botany, rangeland science, biology, natural resource management, soils, ecology, or closely related field. Alternatively, candidates actively working towards a degree in one of these fields may be considered if they have relevant coursework (e.g., plant identification, natural resources, etc.) and/or prior experience in vegetation sampling, soil characterization, or related outdoor fieldwork.
• Skills And Abilities: Demonstrated aptitude in areas such as leadership, problem-solving, and working in remote, outdoor environments. Quick learner with a strong work ethic and a proactive approach to challenges. Detail-oriented and take pride in producing high-quality work. Ability to work independently, adapt to unforeseen challenges, and make safe, intelligent decisions in a remote setting. Clear communication skills and the ability to provide guidance to entry-level technicians. Familiarity with vegetation and soil survey techniques. Ability to navigate effectively with maps, GPS devices, and offroad vehicles. Willingness and ability to consistently enact high performance standards in support of the goals and objectives of the NRI program and North Wind’s commitment to providing the NRCS with the highest quality data.

Qualifications

• Special Requirements: Ability to travel and work a rotating schedule of 8 days on and 6 days off with overtime. Valid driver’s license and experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote, rugged terrain. Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check.

Skills

• Preferred Qualifications: 3 years of relevant experience demonstrating proficiency in the previously listed skills and abilities. Familiarity with NRCS's National Resources Inventory (NRI) methodology and/or BLM's Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) protocols is strongly desired. Experience identifying plants using a dichotomous key and describing soil horizons. CPR/First Aid certified.

Physical Demands

• Ability to walk long distances (up to several miles per day) over rugged and uneven terrain while maintaining an efficient pace to meet project deadlines and team productivity standards. Must have the physical stamina to work outdoors for extended hours, often in challenging hot or cold weather conditions, and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.

Working Environment

• Extended travel and outdoor fieldwork in remote, rugged environments. Long drives in company vehicles to access survey locations, often traveling between remote areas, hotels, and project sites on both paved and unpaved roads. Drive times can vary depending on project location and where the employee is stationed.

Pay and Benefits

• North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• North Wind is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, or other legally protected status.