SCI Seasonal Invasive Technician

SERG MISSION STATEMENT

SERG is a nonprofit organization under the umbrella of the San Diego State University Research Foundation and is committed to restoring and preserving California’s sensitive vegetation communities for the benefit of the environment and the preservation of the ecosystem services they offer.

PURPOSE OF THE position

SERG seeks one (1) Seasonal Invasive Technicians for invasive plant mapping, control, and other botany-related projects on San Clemente Island, a Naval installation on the southernmost of California’s Channel Islands. The Seasonal Invasive Technician position requires arduous manual labor, working outdoors in all weather, heavy lifting and carrying, and working on rugged terrain. This position will report to and work directly with the Invasive Plant and Botany Project Manager, along with a crew of up to two other Seasonal Technicians and five other permanent staff members. The Seasonal Invasive Technician position will start on January 5, 2027, and end in June 2027. This is a full-time, hourly position. Compensation will be $24.65/hour plus a full benefits package. Housing is provided while working on San Clemente Island. The work schedule will be 10 days working on-island and 4-day weekends off-island. Housing is not provided during the 4-day weekends off-island. Transportation to and from the island is provided from the San Diego area by means of a twin engine 19-seater plane. Relocation benefits will not be offered.

All work will be conducted on San Clemente Island, which is owned and operated by the U.S. Navy as an active training site, as part of the Navy’s Natural Resources Program. San Clemente Island has a particularly unique flora, hosting 2 federally listed plants, 18 plants that are known from nowhere else in the world, and an additional 26 plants that are only known from islands off the coast of southern California or Baja. The program also supports an extensive community of biologists and researchers.  Applicants should enjoy living as part of a small and remote community, and be able to maintain a professional, positive attitude at all times.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

The SCI Seasonal Invasive Technician is responsible for, but not limited to:

Invasive Control Field Work 60%

• Monitor invasive plant populations
• Control invasive plants manually, mechanically and chemically

Other Restoration Field Work 20%

• Monitor rare plant populations
• Monitor vegetation cover
• Maintain and monitor native species outplantings
• Collect native plant propagules
• Propagate native plants

Data Entry and Other Office Work 15%

• Use GPS in the field and GIS software
• Enter data and maintain databases

Other Duties and Responsibilities as assigned 5%

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS

Knowledge and Abilities 

• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, contractors, and Navy personnel
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to relate well to others within the project environment
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to display organization, meet deadlines, and display detail orientation
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity
• Passion for Southern California flora
• Capacity to follow work rules, directions, and procedures
• experience performing strenuous labor with a high level of physical endurance under a variety of weather and work conditions
• Ability to repeatedly lift loads of up to 45 lbs throughout the workday and to safely navigate and work off-trail on steep, rocky, cactus-covered terrain
• Highly motivated individual with a high energy level and strong interpersonal skills
• Possess good judgment and common sense
• Ability to pass a background check to obtain clearance for military base access
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and ability to drive 4-wheel-drive vehicles
• Valid California Qualified Applicator Certificate or ability to become certified within 2 months of hiring

Experience/education

• Completion of upper-level undergraduate courses in botany, ecology, biology, or related discipline OR equivalent of one year of related experience in lieu of coursework

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in botany, ecology, biology, or related discipline
• Previous experience in invasive plant control
• Familiarity with Southern California flora
• Experience with GIS
• Experience safely operating and maintaining mechanical equipment, hand tools, and herbicide Application equipment
• Experience maintaining and repairing small engines and motor vehicles