SEASONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION
FIELD TECHNICIAN
CURRENT CALIFORNIA QAC OR QAL REQUIRED
Position Type: Seasonal, Full-Time, Field-Based
Primary Work Area: Southern California; travel to remote project sites
APPLICATION SCREEN: Applicants must currently hold an active California Department of Pesticide Regulation Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) or Qualified Applicator License (QAL) in a category applicable to the work. The credential number, category or categories, and expiration date must be included with the application. Applications without a current QAC or QAL will not be considered.
Position Summary:
Gulf South Research Corporation (GSRC) is seeking a dependable, safety-minded field technician to support invasive plant management, habitat restoration, and vegetation-control projects on military installations and other government properties throughout Southern California. This is a hands-on, labor-intensive field position. It is not primarily an office, biological-survey, or report-writing role.
The strongest candidates will have practical experience in rights-of-way vegetation management, fuels reduction, habitat restoration, irrigation, trail work, or similar outdoor field operations. A college degree is not required.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Control invasive vegetation using approved chemical, mechanical, and manual methods, including backpack herbicide application, hand pulling, digging, cutting, brush clearing, and mowing.
- Mix, load, transport, and apply herbicides in accordance with California requirements, product labels, safety data sheets, project specifications, and supervisor direction.
- Maintain accurate pesticide application records, field logs, equipment inspections, photographs, and other required documentation.
- Operate and maintain backpack sprayers, pumps, brush cutters, chainsaws, hand tools, UTVs, trailers, and related equipment when trained and authorized.
- Install native plants, seed, irrigation or watering systems, erosion-control materials, fencing, and other habitat-protection measures.
- Recognize common invasive plants and follow instructions that protect native vegetation, wildlife, cultural resources, and sensitive areas.
- Follow GSRC safety requirements, Accident Prevention Plans, Activity Hazard Analyses, pesticide labels, equipment procedures, and military installation rules while working effectively with the field crew and client representatives.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Current, active California DPR Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) or Qualified Applicator License (QAL), in good standing, with at least one category applicable to the anticipated work. GSRC will verify credential status and category applicability.
- At least one year or one full field season of hands-on experience in herbicide application, vegetation management, landscaping, agriculture, forestry, tree work, rights-of-way maintenance, fuels reduction, habitat restoration, or comparable outdoor labor.
- Experience using backpack sprayers and performing repetitive, physically demanding vegetation-control work.
- Ability to read and follow English-language pesticide labels, safety instructions, equipment manuals, and basic project documentation, and to complete accurate application records.
- Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record for assigned company driving duties.
- Ability to obtain and maintain access authorization for U.S. military installations, including required identity verification and background vetting.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, wear a loaded backpack sprayer, bend or kneel repeatedly, use hand and power tools, and hike several miles over uneven terrain, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Willingness to work outdoors in demanding conditions, travel throughout Southern California, stay overnight when required, wear required PPE, and provide documentation of authorization to work in the United States.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two or more years of directly related field experience, including regular herbicide application and vegetation-control work.
- QAC or QAL categories supporting landscape, right-of-way, agricultural plant, forest, or aquatic vegetation work, as applicable to GSRC assignments.
- Experience on federal, state, municipal, utility, transportation, or military projects.
- Chainsaw, brush cutter, UTV, trailer, pump, irrigation, or small-engine experience.
- Knowledge of Southern California native and invasive plants and current CPR/First Aid, OSHA 10-Hour, chainsaw, UTV, or related safety training.
- Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills helpful for field-crew coordination, but not required.
Working Conditions:
This position requires extensive outdoor work in remote environments. Assignments may involve extended hand pulling, loaded backpack sprayers, woody-vegetation cutting, chainsaw or brush-cutter work, planting, watering, equipment loading, and hiking over rugged terrain. Work may occur near roads, drainages, wetlands, desert or coastal habitat, steep slopes, and developed military facilities. Required PPE and stop-work rules apply.
Compensation and Employment:
- Hourly pay range: DOE. Starting rate will reflect directly related experience, current QAC/QAL categories, equipment capability, and crew-lead experience.
- Overtime, travel reimbursement, lodging, per diem, benefits, and other terms will be provided in accordance with GSRC policy and the applicable project.
- Strong performers may be considered for recurring assignments, additional equipment training, expanded pesticide categories, or advancement to crew lead as work is available.
How to Apply:
Submit a resume to Madison Vining at [email protected]. The application must include:
- Current California QAC or QAL credential number, category or categories, and expiration date.
- Current city and state, phone number, general availability, driver’s-license status, and ability to travel or stay overnight.
- Summary of herbicide-application experience, including equipment used and types of work sites.
- Relevant field experience in landscaping, agriculture, forestry, vegetation management, restoration, tree work, rights-of-way, or similar labor-intensive work.
Applications that do not identify a current California QAC or QAL will not be considered.
GSRC is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, experience, safety, availability, and project requirements.
Pay: $18.00 - $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
