Seasonal Invasive Plant Technician

position Title: Seasonal Invasive Plant Technician

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements Program – West

Site Location: Winona, Missouri

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by February 27th, 2026

 Dates of Employment:

• Start Date: 5/4/2026
• End Date: 9/4/2026

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements, a program of jobshiringnearme.org Legacy, provides individuals with internships service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards, in partnership with Quail & Pheasants Forever, will host a Seasonal Invasive Plant Technician. 

The Scenic Rivers Invasive Species Partnership (SRISP) is a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) located in nine southern-Missouri counties encompassing the Eleven Point, Jack’s Fork, and Current Rivers. Working with federal, state, non-government agencies, and private landowners, the SRISP strives to inventory and monitor invasive plant populations, treat invasive species, and bring education and awareness of the impact of invasive species to the public.

This Seasonal Invasive Plant Technician is an hourly internship position that will primarily focus on project areas within the Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) in the Eleven Point and Poplar Bluff Districts. Technicians will utilize provided equipment to re-inventory project areas for invasive plants and submit these inventories to MTNF Program Staff. Primary treatment areas will consist of spot spraying invasive plants along Forest System road rights-of-way. Some forest interior work may be necessary when plant populations extend beyond the right-of-way. Technicians will also focus on the utilization of mechanical removal for Japanese Stiltgrass in a riparian acidic seep in the Poplar Bluff District.

The work will take place in areas of the Mark Twain National Forest that have undergone intensive restoration over the last 10 years. This site is also the reintroduction site for Brown-headed nuthatches, which were extirpated in Missouri. This ecosystem is critical to maintain free from invasive plants, which are mainly introduced from road work, vehicles, and ATV/UTVs. The work will also take place in a Missouri Natural Area, which is an area identified by the Missouri Department of jobshiringnearme.org as a special ecosystem type that contains rare plants and geologic features. These projects will improve both miles of roadways and acres of land.

description of Duties:

• Implement habitat management work on public lands that include but is not limited to: herbicide application, mechanical invasive plant management (use of weed-whackers, loppers, etc), using mobile applications to identify and map invasive plant populations, and assisting partners with various habitat management activities.
• Assist Crew Lead/Executive Director in procuring supplies and equipment following SRISP best management practices.
• Assist with grant reporting duties in conjunction with collaborating organizations.
• Ensure habitat management activities are accurately reported and entered on time.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home

Qualifications:

• A solid understanding of environmental, ecological, and/or natural resource science. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the partners.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with supervisors, colleagues, and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds safely and repeatedly.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Must be at least 21 years old or have possessed valid drivers license for at least 3 consecutive years. Must be able to pass jobshiringnearme.org Legacy Motor Vehicle Background Check for insurability.
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to candidates with bachelor’s degrees with an emphasis in ecology, forestry, or wildlife management or currently enrolled in one of these programs.
• Possess a valid Herbicide Applicator’s License

Our Commitment:

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.    

Time requirements:

• This position is expected to serve 40 hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary.

Orientation and Training:

• Training on herbicide mixing, application, and storage will be provided. Staff will have the opportunity to attend trainings provided by the University of Missouri Extension as well. If scheduling allows, candidates may also test to receive their Missouri Pesticide Applicator’s License.
• Training on various mapping programs, including EDDMaps, Collector, Survey123, and ArcGIS will be provided.
• Staff will have the opportunity to perform other conservation work with partner organizations, which may include: native plant surveys, timber stand improvement, wildlife surveys, and attend related trainings and conferences.

Additional Position and Community Information

• This area is very rural, with many communities having a population of 3,000 or less. Some basic amenities are available, including local grocery stores, gas stations, and a few family restaurants. Larger box stores are within about an hour and a half drive. There are a few small medical clinics, with larger hospitals within 1-1 ½ hours. There are numerous state parks and conservation areas, as well as one national forest and one national park. There are ample outdoor recreational activities available, including camping, hiking, backcountry hiking and camping, caving, canoeing/kayaking, and wildlife watching (including elk and recently reintroduced bird species). This area explodes with tourism during the summer months, with visitors coming from all over Missouri and multiple states. Cell service is spotty in areas. Some providers that work well in the area are Verizon, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular.
• Having a personal vehicle to transport yourself around the area is necessary. There is no public transportation. The towns themselves are walkable, but traveling between them requires a vehicle. Roads are hilly, winding, and many county roads are simple dirt roads with little signage.

 Benefits:

• Hourly Wage: $17.00-21.00/hour

How to Apply Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions. In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by  February 27, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position will close on March 13, 2026.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Program Contact information: Emma Nehan-Springstead at enehan@conservationlegacy.org
• Service Site Contact information: Valarie Kurre at vkurre@quailforever.org

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.