Position Announcement
Bristol Pond & Monkton Pond Boat Launch Steward & Knotweed Removal Technician (part-time, temporary)
The Lewis Creek Association (LCA) is a non-profit conservation organization that does sustainability and conservation work in the towns of the middle Lake Champlain Valley. LCA is seeking two qualified individuals to provide part-time education and outreach to the recreational users of Bristol Pond and Monkton Pond from June to August 2024. The boat launch steward’s primary responsibility will be interacting with recreational boaters, anglers, and the general public to educate them about aquatic invasive species threats to the watershed and the proper cleaning methods for their recreational equipment. While educating the public, the boat launch steward will also collect survey data on boater behaviors as well as identify and remove invasive species from watercrafts. In addition, the boat launch steward will remove Japanese knotweed from a public demonstration site in Ferrisburgh (with the help of public volunteers) one half-day per week.
Position Overview
Status: part-time, temporary seasonal employee, 18-24 hours/week
Compensation: $15 per hour
Hire Timeline: Applications no later than May 15; boat launch steward position runs from June to the end of August, with some flexibility; knotweed duties will begin in April or May and extend into September or early October, past the end of the boat launch steward duties
Position Description
Bristol Pond and Monkton Pond are ecologically diverse ponds, that are popular with anglers, recreational boaters, and wildlife enthusiasts. Currently there are three known aquatic invasive species within Bristol Pond: Eurasian Watermilfoil, European Frogbit, and Brittle Naiad, and three aquatic invasive species at Monkton Pond: Banded Mystery Snails, Eurasian Watermilfoil, and Curly-leaf Pondweed. The boat launch steward will help LCA and our partners prevent aquatic invasive species from infesting other waterbodies in the State and will prevent other aquatic invasive species from being introduced to Bristol Pond and Monkton Pond by educating boaters and the community about invasive species threats and spread prevention techniques. Supervised by the LCA aquatic invasive species project coordinator, primary duties of the boat launch steward include:
Education of anglers and boaters about aquatic invasive species and how to clean their equipment
Collecting survey data
Inspecting watercraft before and after entering the water
Spreading the message of Clean, Drain, Dry to the public
Removing and documenting any organic material on watercrafts
The boat launch steward will also be responsible for manually removing Japanese knotweed at a demonstration site in Ferrisburgh. The steward will spend 14-20 hours per week at the boat launch, and around 4 hours per week removing knotweed. Funding for this position is dependent on LCA receiving a contract from the grantor in a timely manner; delays to the start date may occur if a contract is late in arriving.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates are: well-organized, punctual people who are enthusiastic about working directly with the public; able to communicate effectively in person; capable of performing duties independently and as directed by a supervisor; able to work outdoors in all weather conditions; and attentive to detail. The candidate must also be able to do physical work, cutting and stacking knotweed stems in potentially difficult conditions on rough ground. This will involve bending/kneeling, carrying, and potential exposure to ticks. Comfort and enthusiasm with the public and data collection is a must. Experience working with the public is a plus, but not absolutely necessary. A successful candidate will, minimally, have knowledge of natural resources, biology, environmental science, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have a knowledge of angling, fisheries, aquatic ecosystems, and invasive and native species. The boat launch steward must have a reliable cell phone and provide their own transportation to Bristol Pond, Monkton Pond, and the site in Ferrisburgh. The candidate is expected to work 6 hours a day on Fridays (only if stationed at Bristol Pond) and 7 hours a day on Saturdays and Sundays (at Bristol or Monkton Pond) each week and must be available to work holidays. The candidate will also spend 4 hours each week on a specified day and time to remove knotweed from the demonstration site, in conjunction with public volunteers, in Ferrisburgh. Boat launch steward position runs from June to the end of August, with some flexibility; knotweed duties will extend into September or early October, past the end of the boat launch steward duties.
About LCA
LCA is a non-profit conservation organization that does sustainability and conservation work in the towns of the middle Lake Champlain Valley. LCA works primarily within the watershed boundaries of the LaPlatte River, Thorp Brook, Kimball Brook, Holmes Brook, McCabe’s Brook, and Lewis Creek to service the watershed towns of Charlotte, Ferrisburg, Hinesburg, Monkton, Shelburne, and Starksboro. We work with towns, governments, and citizens to conserve Vermont’s important landscapes and natural resources. We rely on active citizens and volunteers to collect data, make informed decisions, and implement positive change. See our website: lewiscreek.org for more information.
How to Apply
Submit a cover letter explaining your interest and specific qualifications (specifically detailing your past experience with public outreach and education), plus a resume and contact information for three professional references as PDF documents to Portia Butrym, Project Coordinator at portiabutrym@gmail.com and lewiscreekorg@gmail.com. Applications accepted through March 31, 2024. Please type the position title “Boat Launch Steward” and your last name in the subject line.