Channel Islands Restoration is a non-profit organization that restores habitat in sensitive and unique natural areas on the California Channel Islands and adjacent mainland. We help protect rare and endangered native plant and animal species by restoring the natural habitat they depend on for survival. We help educate a variety of groups about the value of native habitat and how to protect it.  We recruit volunteers and help identify and develop public and private funding sources for habitat restoration programs.

 

TITLE: Restoration Field and Education Technician

 

POSITION TERM: Part-time or full-time; based on project-need; available immediately or according to project timelines.  

 

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

 

SUMMARY: This is an introductory position which offers tremendous opportunities for growth and experience in native plant restoration work on the island and various mainland locations.  Primarily this person assists in eradication and control of invasive plants and is involved with a wide range of invasive plant removal techniques.  They may work independently or as a member of a team. Approximately 90% of time will be spent in the field, with the remainder in the office. Training will be provided as needed.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

1. Conduct day-to-day eradication and control of priority invasive plants at various restoration sites on Santa Cruz Island and the adjacent mainland.  Utilize hand tools, power brush cutters, herbicide spray bottles, backpacks, and motorized rigs.

 

2. Supervise individual volunteers and volunteer groups in invasive plant management activities.

 

3. Record locations of invasive and native rare plant populations using Global Positioning Systems (GPS units) and hard copy maps.

 

4. Maintain Program equipment.

 

5. Participate in desk duties relating to position including compiling and disseminating field notes and data.

 

6. Perform other duties as directed by the Executive Director.

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

 

An ideal candidate will possess a substantial combination of all these requirements or, given that this can be a training position, the ideal candidate must be willing to be trained and follow directions as they develop expertise in these areas.  

 

Person must be careful, conscientious and pay attention to detail, have a great work ethic, work efficiently, enthusiastic, and above all be a positive functioning member of a diverse team. Ability to work independently and safely essential.

 

Education: B.A. or B.S. in weed science, agriculture, botany, biology, ecology, natural resource management, or equivalent from an accredited institution preferred.

 

Experience: Experience utilizing hand-tools essential. Must be willing to work with herbicide such as: Garlon, Transline, Glyphosate, and Fusillade. Training in herbicide safety and application will be provided as needed.

 

Technical skills: Knowledge of the basic use of hand tools needed, such as loppers, Pulaski, McLeod, shovel, hoe, etc. Knowledge of GPS needed, however training will be provided. Familiarity with invasive plant species desired.

 

Possession of Class C Drivers License essential.

 

Physical demands: Including but not limited to: ability to work and hike outdoors in all weather conditions, ability to work long hours outdoors, ability to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Fieldwork involves manual labor, hiking over steep, rugged terrain with frequently unstable rocky substrate while carrying hand tools and filled backpack sprayers. Handling of plants is routine. Contact with cactus, stinging nettle and poison oak is common. Must be willing to wear appropriate safety gear such as coveralls, hiking boots, gloves, and goggles.

 

Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a field technician encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Field conditions are strongly weather-dependent and may be hot, dusty, cold, muddy, and/or wet depending on season and degree of exposure. Must be willing to live on Santa Cruz Island for up to 10 days or travel to the Santa Barbara area on a daily basis.

 

Living environment on Santa Cruz Island: shared bunkrooms with a communal living room, bathroom, and kitchen are included. Ability to respect the privacy of others is a must.  Ability and commitment to share living accommodations with diverse people is essential. Housing is NOT provided for mainland work. 

 

Santa Cruz Island has a small-town feel due to the limited amount of people on the Island, and it is important that the applicant understand that after hour activities greatly impact the reputation of Channel Islands Restoration, and therefore he or she must always conduct him or herself in a professional manner even when not at work.

 

Salary level: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

 

TO APPLY:

 

Submit cover letter of intent to apply (limit one page), and a résumé (limit two pages) via email. The most qualified candidates may be invited to interview. Further details can be provided by contacting:

 

Ken Owen, Executive Director, Channel Islands Restoration. P.O. Box 91414.  Santa Barbara, CA 93190.  (805) 448-5726.  islands@rain.org.

 

More information on Channel Islands Restoration can be found on our web page at: www.channelislandsrestoration.com.

 

 

Channel Islands Restoration is an " at will" employer offering equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, creed or religion, age, sex, national origin or disability (within the physical parameters defined in the position description and those associated with remote island living). Any offer of employment contingent upon verification of individual's eligibility for employment in the United States.