Channel Islands Restoration Technician

OB OPENING: CHANNEL ISLANDS RESTORATION TECHNICIAN

Santa Cruz Island Restoration Technician – Oak Woodland Restoration (up to 3), Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California

Santa Rosa Island Restoration Technician – Cloud Forest Habitat Restoration (up to 3), Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California

Anacapa Island Restoration Technician – Native Plant Restoration (up to 2), Channel Island National Park, Ventura, California

EMPLOYER: California Institute of Environmental Studies (CIES; www.ciesresearch.org)

Position Background: Up to eight restoration technician positions to support native plant habitat restoration are available. Project location will be on Anacapa, Santa Cruz or Santa Rosa Islands within Channel Islands National Park. Work will be targeted at completing native plant restoration at each island. These are full time, field-based positions. A 1 year commitment is required for all positions. This project is in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the National Park Service (NPS), and successful applicants will work closely with staff from these organizations.

Position Description: As part of a team of 2-4 people, successful candidates will work to collect native seed and acorns on island, propagate seed in an on-island nursery, outplant seedlings, and prepare and maintain restoration sites on the islands. The position advertised is for employment as a full time restoration technician with CIES. All hires have a start date around February 17, 2025. Full duration of position is contingent on funding. Primary job duties will include seed collection, seed propagation, out-planting, handling/mixing/applying herbicide to non-native plant populations using 4 gallon backpack-style spray applicators and vehicle mounted spray rigs, use of GPS units and ArcGIS Field Maps app to collect data. Occasional additional duties will be required, such as data entry and proofing, vehicle and equipment maintenance and repair, equipment troubleshooting, and aiding project leads in writing progress updates.

Successful applicants will be required to work a “8 days on, 6 days off” schedule (pending schedule changes due to weather). Restoration technicians will live in provided housing during field stays on the Islands. As such, technicians will be required to live in close quarters within a small community of coworkers and island staff. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain a positive and respectful attitude while living and working in a small group are required aspects of the job. All food, clothing, bedding, and personal supplies will need to be brought back and forth to the island. Housing is not provided on the mainland between workweeks.

Field staff will be expected to work 160 hours per month (two approximately 80-hour work weeks), with the opportunity to perform office tasks such as data entry and trip report writing to reach 160 hours (should field work fall short of 160 hours per month). Island field schedule will be Wednesday to Wednesday, or Tuesday to Tuesday depending on island post with the first and last day of each tour including travel time to and from the mainland aboard either the NPS vessel Ocean Ranger, or Concessionaire Island Packers. The office schedule is flexible.

Qualifications: All prior experience that candidates describe in their application materials will be considered. Knowledge and skills could come from fields other than conservation such as agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, volunteering, or education. Applicants should have a strong interest in island ecology and a desire to work on habitat restoration projects. Enthusiasm for fieldwork and for working in a variety of weather conditions is a must. The ability to carry up to 40lbs on steep slopes and uneven terrain is essential. Highly qualified candidates should demonstrate their flexibility to adapt to changing conditions, resourcefulness to problem solve and understand where to seek additional guidance, and skillfulness in maintaining group cohesion in challenging situations. Successful candidates must be willing to work long hours hiking in the field, maintain accurate field notes/data collection, and possess excellent balance and agility. Applicants must be comfortable with the use of chemical herbicide, and be willing to apply herbicide to non-native plants.

Preference may be given to those who possess: 1) Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related discipline; 2) prior experience with habitat restoration work, native plant propagation, herbicide application, irrigation systems, gas and electric power tools (weed whackers, augers, drills etc.), and vegetation surveys; 3) knowledge of native and non-native California flora, 4) ability to move and lift equipment and materials up to 40 lbs; 5) ability to hike in steep, unstable terrain; 6) desire to work in a remote field setting both independently and as part of a field crew; 7) superior observational and data collection skills; 8) excellent written and verbal communication skills; 9) proficiency in Word, Excel, and ArcGIS Field Maps; 10) a valid driver’s license with clean driving record; dirt road and 4WD experience preferred.

Compensation: The position will pay a minimum of $21.85 per hour. In addition, a field per diem of $30 per day will be provided through reimbursements for multi-day trips (on average totaling $480 per month). Sick and annual leave benefits are also provided.

Additional considerations: These positions are based out of Ventura, CA with regular travel via boat to Anacapa, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands from Ventura Harbor or Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. Successful applicants will be required to arrive at the transportation dock to start work at the beginning of their scheduled tours; reliable personal transportation is needed to arrive on time, typically 7am. Additionally, applicants will need to be comfortable with boat travel for approximately 1-3 hours each direction during the employment period. Island work and scheduling is dependent on many factors, so flexibility to schedule changes is preferred. Island housing is provided during work tours. Island housing consists of a shared bunkhouse with amenities (bathroom/hot showers, living room, kitchen, and internet). Cell phone service is limited, internet service may not be reliable. Housing on the mainland is not provided. All other personal items including food, bedding, and additional clothing will be provided by the applicant. Herbicide application requires the use of closed toed, waterproof boots with thick socks, long sleeve shirts, long pants, gloves, and eye protection. CIES will provide all data collection devices, and proper PPE and equipment for work tasks.

Application Submission: Please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references (include names, email addresses, and phone numbers) to: jobs@ciesresearch.org. In the subject of your email, please include the title of the job you are applying for (WCB Channel Islands Restoration Technician).

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• On-the-job training
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Safety equipment provided

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Day shift
• Rotating shift
• Rotating weekends

Experience:

• Restoration: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Ventura, CA 93001 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 100% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $22