San Clemente Island Seasonal Habitat Restoration Technician

SERG MISSION STATEMENT

SERG is a non-profit 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 two (2) Seasonal Restoration Technicians for habitat restoration, rare plant surveys, and other botany-related projects on San Clemente Island, a Naval installation on the southern-most of California’s Channel Islands. The Seasonal Restoration Technician position requires arduous manual labor, working outdoors in all weather, heavy lifting and carrying, and hiking on rugged terrain. The Seasonal Restoration Technician position will start on January 27, 2026 and end in May 2026. This is a full-time, hourly position with full benefits. Compensation will be $22.70/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, 15 plants that are known from nowhere else in the world, and an additional 48 plants that are only known from the Channel Islands as a whole. 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 Restoration Technician is responsible for, but not limited to:

Field Work 80%

• Monitor rare plant populations
• Monitor vegetation cover
• Install, maintain, and monitor native species out-plantings
• Install erosion control materials
• 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, clients, and study participants
• 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, display detail orientation, possess good judgment and common sense
• 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 respectfully, clearly, and accurately communicate with other staff, contractors, and military commands
• 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

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 habitat restoration
• Familiarity with Southern California flora
• Experience maintaining and repairing small engines
• Experience safely operating and maintaining mechanical equipment and hand tools
• Experience working in greenhouses or plant nurseries
• Experience with GIS

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.