Seed Collection Crew Leader (NPS, CA Multiple Locations)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is recruiting up to 4 crew leads to assist with native seed collection across California.

As part of the Seeds of Success (SOS) program, crew leads will carry out standardized seed collection protocols on Department of the Interior (DOI) lands. Participating sites may include NPS units, National Wildlife Refuges, and BLM-managed lands. Leads will also provide direction and support to crew members, ensuring all are following SOS protocols. Training, support, and coordination will be provided by the regional DOI Seed Coordinator. 

Leads will be asked to complete a ~1 month SOS training in the Mojave Desert at the beginning of their field season. This will include both classroom and on-the ground training by the regional seed coordinator, NPS staff, and other partners. After this training, leads will disperse to their SOS location placement to complete the remainder of their term.  

Primary Responsibilities:

In accordance with the SOS Technical Protocol:

• Scouting for populations of target species that are suitable for seed collection;
• Mapping populations of plants on ESRI apps such as Survey123 and FieldMaps;
• Photographing collection sites and plants;
• Collecting vouchers of plant populations to be used in verifying plant ID, and preparing vouchers with label  to enter local, regional, and/or national herbaria;
• Monitoring the phenology of plant populations to identify optimal seed collection times;
• Conducting both operational and conservation seed collections of identified populations;
• Recording data electronically on ESRI apps and, if necessary, on paper data forms, entering and editing data related to restoration activities;
• Completing QA checks for crew members throughout field season on data and seed collection process;
• Conducting final QC check on scouting and collection data on ESRI apps, as well as the SOS Geoplatform Data Management site;
• Conducting rough processing of seed, and then packing and shipping to a designated cleaning facility; and
• Completing SOS end of year annual reporting requirements.

Additional responsibilities:

• Overseeing a crew of 1-3 people, providing additional training as necessary;
• Creating weekly work schedules for crew members and communicating those to regional lead;
• Maintaining and regularly conducting inventory of field gear;
• Daily and monthly vehicle checks;
• Driving a truck up to eight hours a day;
• Traveling in a truck up to ten hours a day;
• Participating in trainings provided by GBI, DOI agencies, and community partners;
• Reporting accomplishments and providing recommendations for program improvements, priorities, and future projects;
• Assisting with the coordination of volunteer seed collection and restoration events;
• Assisting with species survey work, as needed;
• Mapping of disturbance areas and other features using tablets, handheld devices, ArcGIS Online, ArcPro, and ESRI apps such as FieldMaps and Survey 123; and
• Providing support for restoration projects.

Timeline:

• 28-32-week appointment beginning in March 2026;
• Full time (40 hours/week);
• 4-10 hour days (7:00a-5:30p or 6:00a-4:30p M-Th); and
• On rare occasions where significant travel is anticipated, crews may be required to work 8-10 hour days, Wed-Wed.

Location:

Multiple positions are available across DOI lands in California. Please indicate your availability and preferred locations/positions when applying. We encourage applying early to help your chances of getting your top-choice locations. Crews will be working across the following regions: 

• Redding and Sacramento Valley
  • Base location: Redding, CA
  • Support collection efforts across Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Additional locations may include Redding BLM Field Office and Lassen Volcanic National Park, depending on need and availability.
• Mendocino Coast and Range
  • Base location: Ukiah, CA
  • Support collection efforts across Ukiah BLM Field Office, potentially expanding into State land along the Mendocino Coast.
• Southwest California and Sonoran Desert
  • Base location: TBD, San Diego or El Centro, CA
  • Support collection efforts across San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Cabrillo National Monument, and El Centro BLM Field Office.
• Northwest and Klamath
  • Base location: Arcata, CA
  • Support collection efforts along the north coast of California, including work on Redwood National and State Parks. Efforts may extend to adjacent BLM and Forest Service lands. This position may also have opportunities to work with the Yurok Tribe seed crews and nursery, providing additional training and support for their program.

Depending on plant phenology, weather conditions, and emerging DOI plant material needs, specific locations are subject to change. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $24 hourly;

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: For placements where participants are required to find their own accommodations, a housing stipend will be provided.

Per diem: $35 camping per diem provided per night in the field.

Additional benefits:

• SOS Seeds Collection and Protocol training;
• Wilderness First Aid;
• Defensive driver’s training;
• Report writing, and technical skills trainings; and
• Opportunity to network with GBI and federal partners for career advancement.

Qualifications:

Technical Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework and field experience related to biology, botany, ecology, plant science, taxonomy/systematics, or related field;
• Experience identifying plants using taxonomic keys or familiarity with plants of the California Floristic Province;
• Experience with data entry and QA/QC;
• Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for data collection and navigation;
• Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass;
• Familiarity driving 4WD vehicles on- and off-road; and
• Understanding and/or experience using ArcGIS Pro, and ESRI apps like Field Maps and Survey 123, helpful.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to work in ever-changing conditions, including extreme temperatures, and as part of a team;
• Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites, or poorly developed sites for multiple days, up to 8 days;
• Ability to bend and stoop for long periods of time while collecting seed, and to use hand tools, and occasionally lift buckets of water and other heavy loads;
• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 am, to avoid heat-related issues, to follow plant phenology, or for coordination with team members;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; and
• Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work as part of a tight knit team.

Physical Demands:

Field work involves driving GBI trucks on both highways and 4WD roads, sometimes up to 100+ miles or 8 hours per day, as well as hiking off designated trails in rugged terrain. Seed collection requires regular and repetitive stooping, kneeling, standing and maneuvering on many different terrains, including uneven ground, steep slopes, and rocky outcrops. Contact with irritating plants may also be required, but in those instances PPE will be provided. Weather conditions will vary based on location from fog, cold winds and precipitation in the early spring to temperatures over 100F with humidity in the summer. The use of global positioning systems (handheld GPS units), computers, tablets, digital cameras, and on- and off-road vehicles are an essential part of the job. Camping under primitive conditions at remote locations on data/seed collection trips will regularly be required. Schedules are often determined by plant phenology. Incumbents must also be willing to spend days at a time working at a computer during periods of data entry and analysis.

• Lift up to 50-70 pounds of material or equipment;
• Hike in various terrain up to 5 miles/day;
• Crouch, stoop, kneel, stand, or bend for long periods of time;
• Drive for many hours a day on highways and 4WD roads;
• Handle plant material for many hours a day;
• Walk and stand for long periods of time on uneven surfaces carrying equipment;
• Be outside in extreme heat or cold (depending upon the season);
• Occasionally work 10+ hour days; and
• Travel and camp overnight & up to 8 days at a time for project work.