Restoration Technician

About Sierra Streams Institute: Sierra Streams Institute (SSI) is a watershed monitoring, research, restoration and educational group based in Nevada City, California, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Our mission is to promote scientific knowledge and stewardship of Sierra Nevada watersheds through research, restoration, education, and community science. Over the past two decades, SSI has grown to become a vitally important voice in the regional scientific community.

At SSI, we utilize a science-based approach to work on behalf of environmental and human health. Many of our projects entail working directly with citizen scientists to collect water quality, benthic macroinvertebrate, algae, wildlife and physical habitat data. SSI’s Restoration Program employs tailored approaches, including process-based restoration methods, to foster functioning, self-sustaining ecosystems.

Current active projects include post dam-removal monitoring and restoration with a focus on Chinook salmon habitat, fish passage improvements, spawning habitat restoration such as gravel augmentation, and nature trail construction.

Job Description:

SSI’s Restoration Program is seeking a restoration technician with a demonstrated ability to work well both independently and as part of a team, and excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work requires extended physical exertion for long periods of time including walking, climbing, chopping, throwing, lifting, pulling, and frequently carrying objects weighing up to 50 lbs or more, and is conducted outdoors in variable weather conditions including rain, snow, and extreme heat.

The restoration technician shall be responsible for duties which may be assigned by the Restoration Ecologist, as well as Lead Restoration Ecologist, or Executive Director from time to time, including:

• Utilize GIS to create maps for presentation, reporting, and field operations.
• Prepare for, and participate in, field operations including planning, preparation, and implementing restoration work for all restoration projects as directed or delegated by the Restoration Ecologist and Lead Restoration Technician.
• Perform invasive species management using a variety of tools including hand tools, chainsaws, and brush cutters.
• Manage data collection and storage on restoration projects consistent with SSI data management standards, including modification/revision of data management practices as data standards evolve in response to SSI or partner requests.
• Coordinate with appropriate SSI staff to support analysis of restoration data.
• Assist with creating project outreach materials for partner communication, the community, and conference presentations.
• Benthic Macro Invertebrate (BMI) identification knowledge or experience is a plus, however willingness to learn and undertake BMI identification and other microscopy skills will also suffice. Willingness to take on sometimes tedious lab based tasks in support of restoration work required.
• Assume additional project duties as periodically assigned by the Restoration Ecologist.

https://sierrastreamsinstitute.org/join-our-team/