Holden Forests & Gardens · 1 day ago
Conservation Technician
Kirtland, OH
Full-time
Onsite
New Grad, Entry Level
$16/hr - $16/hrHolden Forests & Gardens is seeking a seasonal Conservation Technician to assist in managing natural areas. This role involves pest assessments, invasive species control, and general forest management while collaborating with various conservation professionals.
CommunitiesForestryNatural ResourcesService Industry
Responsibilities
Support Holden Forests & Gardens’ mission vision, values, and core commitment
Assists with completing assessments of hemlock trees and their associated pests, such as elongate hemlock scale and hemlock wooly adelgid on both private and Holden owned lands
Use general forestry tools such as prisms, angle gauge, Biltmore sticks, DBH tape, maps, and compass
Use of hand tools such as pruners, loppers, and hand saws for invasive plant species removal
Application of herbicides and pesticides to treat nuisance invasive species via backpack sprayers and other application equipment is required
Lead volunteers in garlic mustard management and related data management
Assist with aphid related surveys, research, and outreach
Maintains operational and pesticide records
Use of gas-powered tools including brush cutters and chainsaws
Use of electric power tools such as drills, grinders, chainsaws, pruning saws, and reciprocating saws
Assists with restoration plantings, plant propagation, and general maintenance of restoration plants at Holden’s Long Science Center greenhouse
Assist with Holden Arboretum’s breeding bird, bluebird (nest box), junco, and bat wildlife monitoring programs
Use of GIS and GPS electronic mapping and positioning technology
Assist with data entry, record keeping, and grant reporting
Assist with routine equipment maintenance
Communicate with landowners and the public as needed about conservation topics
Assist Conservation with rare plant monitoring, forest health and quality assessments, aquatic vegetation surveys, deer impact surveys, and Beech Leaf Disease surveys
Other duties and projects as assigned
Qualification
Required
Demonstrate a passion for people and nature
High school diploma or equivalent, required
Comfortable navigating and leading other staff and volunteers through remote natural areas using maps, compass, and GPS
Ability to understand basic instructions
A positive attitude and willingness to learn
Ability to plan and communicate requests to a team
Possess strong oral and written communication skills
Proficient use of Microsoft 365 products, specifically Teams, Outlook (email and calendar), Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive
Must pass a criminal background check
Maintain a valid driver's license and possess an acceptable driver's record (of less than 3 points), required
Must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation: Willing and able to operate power equipment and perform strenuous, hands-on work year-round in all types of weather conditions
Working outdoors or indoors where the ambient temperature spans subzero to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, performing required tasks in all weather conditions
Transporting oneself by foot over a variety of terrain that may be wet, slippery, uneven, or rocky
Effective vision, hearing, hand, and arm dexterity
Operating a variety of machinery and equipment including utility vehicles, pruners, shears, string trimmers, sprayers, blowers and push and riding mowers
Standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, pulling, pushing, sitting, grabbing & lifting, and carrying up to 50 lbs
Ability to walk an average of 3-5 miles per day in variable terrain; occasionally more
Preferred
Undergraduate degree in biology, forestry, environmental science, a related field of study or relevant experience in natural resource management, a plus
Prior experience in natural resource management desired
Familiar with regional invasive plant, native tree/shrub, and bird identification
Benefits
Discounts in our stores & cafes
Free parking at both campuses anytime we are open
Free admission to many Northeast Ohio Museums
Free Employee Assistance Program
And Much More!
Company
Holden Forests & Gardens
Holden Forests & Gardens is a environmental and cultural institution.
Founded in 1930
51-200 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Holden Forests & Gardens has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
2020 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Edward Moydell
President & CEO
Recent News
Crain's Cleveland Business
2023-05-18
Crain's Cleveland Business
2022-09-07
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