Restoration Ecologist

Classification: Full-time/Exempt 

Reports to: Opereations Director

Salary: $70,304-$74,304

Benefits: Paid Vacation, Paid Personal Time, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Leave, Group Medical Insurance (health, dental, vision), 401k, EAP Program, Monthly hikes

Position Summary

The Restoration Ecologist plays a key role in the implementation, monitoring, and maintanence of large habitat restoration projects and complex conversation programs for sensitive ecological resources in San Diego County. The Restoration Ecologist is a member of the Habitat Management Program (HMP) team responisible for executing habitat restoration projects and the associated vegetation and wildlife monitoring to ensure sucess of ecological restoration efforts. This position requires a keen understanding of conversation strategies for sensitive species as well as the threats and stressors impacting these species. 

Responsibilities 

• Directly supervise the implementation and maintenance of habitat restoration efforts including site preparation, planting, irrigation, and weed control.
• Assist in the design and planning of restoration projects, including the selection of seed and plant palettes appropriate to each site based on soil properties, existing plant communities, and restoration goals.
• Collaborate in habitat mapping, assessments and surveys for special-status species and other sensitive biological resources at numerous sites throughout the region.
• Prioritize and supervise weed management taks following an IPM approach.
• Manage NC’s native plant nursery, which includes growing native plants from seeds, collecting native seeds, and building and maintaing the native plant and seed inventory.
• Use hand tools and machinery related to landscape maintanence and habitat restoration – shovels, weed whips, pruners, hand saws, chainsaws, etc.
• Selection, installation and routine data collection of vegetation monitoring transects and other vegetation sampling methods.
• Participate in quarterly, annual, and final report writing.
• Coordinate with other agencies, landowners and managers to conduct various habitat restoration and monitoring tasks.
• Support and provide guidance to staff, interns and volunteers.

Qualifications 

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in Southern California.
• Working knowledge of local habitats, flora, and fauna.
• Native plant identification skills and knowledge of California plant communities.
• Experience working to control high-priority invasive weed species.
• Self-motivated organized individual with good time-use and problem-solving skills and the ability to work well in a team environment.
• Experience with field data collection and standard protocols to sample vegetation and habitats (e.g., CNPS-Releve, CRAM, vegetation transects/quadrants)
• Experience and knowledge analyzing field-collected data.
• Experience and knowledge of native plant propagation and cultivation.
• Experience with the use and safety handling of power tools such as weed cutters, chainsaws, mowers, and soil augers.
• Ability to complete arduous work in a variety of climates and outdoor working environments and working conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy materials (greater than 50 pounds).
• Ability to hike several miles a day in rugged and difficult terrain.
• Must maintain a clean driving record and abide by Drivers Policy.
• Be able to travel independently to project sites throughout San Diego County

Certifications Preferred:

• Qualified Applicator Licesnce (QAL) or Certificate (QAC) from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation
• SDSU Field Botany of San Diego class completion