Advanced Internship: Field Technician

Advanced Internship: Field Technician 

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Position Summary:

As the Field Technician, you will assist with land management of varied plant community types across all three branch locations.  The Field Technician will help with removal of invasive species as well as site preparation and planting of native plants to improve biodiversity, habitat quality, and recreation.

Other duties include acquisition of your Wisconsin Pesticide Certification, invasive species mapping, erosion control, trail maintenance, weeding and watering of previously planted areas, and working alongside, and occasionally leading, volunteer groups of various sizes and ages.

The UEC will hire two (2) Field Technicians.

Our Summer Employment Experience:

• The Field Technician is paid $17.50/hour on a bi-weekly basis.
• This role is allotted approximately 5 days (46.53 hours) of PTO for planned vacation or sick days.
• We nurture an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative workplace culture.
• You will have the ability to attend all UEC events or programs at a low or no cost. Children of employees attend programming, including summer camps, at reduced rates.

Application Review Date: February 23rd

• It is strongly recommended that all interested applicants submit their applications by this date.

Employment term: May 4th, 2026 to October 2nd, 2026

Location and Schedule:. This role works in-person 5 days/week for 40 hours/week.  Each week, they rotate to a different branch location based on workload.  The majority of the time will be spent at our Riverside Park and Menomonee Valley branch locations.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Land Stewardship:

• Assist with management and restoration activities of UEC managed lands, including removal of invasive species, trails maintenance, native seed collection and planting of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.
• Support the maintenance of hand tools and equipment.
• Perform weekly mapping and monitoring surveys of invasive species using ArcGIS Field Maps within UEC managed lands..
• Participate in monthly fauna surveys at all three UEC branch locations.  Additional offsite opportunities to survey flora and fauna will be offered during monthly field trips.

Maintain Safety Practices:

• Complete first aid, CPR, and AED training certification- provided by Urban Ecology Center.
• Gain Right of Ways & Natural Areas Pesticide (6.0) Certification within 1-month of start date.
• Adhere to all safety protocols for equipment operations and procedures.

Staff & Community Engagement:

• Assist in leading volunteers and service groups to implement the organization’s goals for UEC managed lands.
• Act as an ambassador for ecological restoration within the city with community members, dog walkers, park users, and volunteers.
• Work solo and/or alongside Riverside Park Land Steward, Menomonee Valley Land Steward, Assistant Land Stewardship, Land Stewardship Interns and high-school aged Outdoor Leaders.

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To be successful in this position, you will demonstrate the following competencies:

We know that hardly anyone ‘checks ALL the boxes’ on job requirements, and that’s okay! If some or many of the items listed below describe you and your experiences, we’re excited to talk with you and encourage you to apply.

• Collaboration: They have a strong ability to collaborate and share responsibilities with peers while providing guidance on or following organizational processes.
• Growth Mindset: They have a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional/personal development and incorporating feedback; you are optimistic about future opportunities.
• Reliability and Agency: You build trust and exercise good judgement by meeting deadlines, developing on commitments, prioritizing needs, and making considered and effective decisions.
• Efficient: You have strong attention to detail, are self-motivated, and are able to multitask. You are able to prioritize your work based on importance and urgency.
• Collaboration: You have a strong ability to collaborate and share responsibilities with peers.
• Effective Communicator: You can articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using oral, written, visual, and non-verbal communication skills, as well as listening skills to gain understanding.
• Adaptability: Ability to both function independently and collaborate well with others; Ability to assess and react to changing priorities and adjust workflow accordingly. You are motivated through change and by new opportunities.
• Ambitious: They continuously learn and develop skills to broaden organizational impact and are actively interested in individual and organizational success.
• Community Engagement: They can coordinate and lead public engagement initiatives to transform communities; you have an interest in working with volunteers and partner organizations.
• Strong cultural competency and commitment to equity, dignity, and justice.

Required Qualifications: 

• You have a minimum of 1 growing season (June – August) experience working in a related field, including working with or leading groups of volunteers.
• A valid driver’s license, with insurability through UEC’s liability policy.
• A High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pesticide application training and/or experience.
• Lifeguard/CPR/FIRST AID training and experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors throughout the seasons up to 90% of the time
• Ability to lift 50-pounds with or without accommodations
• Ability to work properly and safely with conventional power tools and equipment.

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What does a typical workday look like?

Condition & Location:

• Work is done indoor and outdoors throughout the season and in a variety of weather conditions.  Outdoor work is up to 90% of the time. Some work may involve potential exposure to hazards.

Schedule:

• Monday through Friday, 40 hours/week

Equipment Used:

• The Field Technician will operate small machines including lawnmower, weed whip and water pumps, as well as sprayers and hand tools.

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The Urban Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.