RESTORATION TECHNICIAN
ORGANIZATION
Sonoma Ecology Center is a 35-year-old nonprofit with a mission to work with our community to identify and lead actions that achieve and sustain ecological health in Sonoma Valley. SEC is respected throughout the North Bay and beyond for our contributions to important initiatives in land, water, biodiversity, and climate. SEC has over 30 professional, dedicated staff members and manages numerous large grants and contracts, often in partnership with other nonprofits and agencies that help leverage our work and impact.
POSITION SUMMARY
SEC seeks a full-time Restoration Technician to help fulfill the organization’s Restoration Program initiatives. The Restoration Program is focused on repair, enhancement and stewardship of private and public lands throughout the North Bay. Our ecological restoration services include: ecologically informed vegetation management, trail maintenance, the management of woody material, fire resiliency work, biological site assessments, native plant seed collection and propagation, invasive plant mapping and management, streambank stabilization and erosion control, and a variety of other tasks. Currently, our projects are focused on post-fire restoration, forest fire resiliency, invasive plant removal, and planting native species.
Technicians report to the Restoration Field Manager and, ultimately, the Restoration Program Manager. The position is primarily in the field with occasional work at the office. Additional tasks include: community outreach, volunteer leadership, as well as tool and vehicle maintenance. Field work regularly consists of long days in adverse weather conditions, work on uneven, steep slopes, and exposure to hazards such as poison oak, ticks, and rattlesnakes.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to)
Perform various fieldwork tasks related to natural resource conservation including: native plant installation, irrigation installation, and project site maintenance
Enact ecologically informed vegetation management to promote healthy landscapes using hand tools and/or mechanical equipment
Fire resilience work, prescribed fires
Assist with Biochar (kiln) burns
Invasive species management and mapping
Streambank stabilization and erosion control installation
Trail creation and maintenance
Log work using photo point monitoring and reporting
Attend program and staff meetings, and periodic check-ins with Project and Program Managers
Help with the supervision of college or high school interns
Occasional weekend and overnight work with advanced notice
ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES
Strong interest in natural resource conservation
Ability to perform manual labor under adverse conditions like heat, cold, rain, and rough terrain
Ability to function as an effective member of a team, including reliability and punctuality
Commitment to safety
Ability to take initiative and work independently as needed
Ability to respond positively and quickly to training and feedback
Ability to communicate with the public and represent the organization in a professional manner at all times
DESIRED COMPETENCIES
Experience using and maintaining hand tools; i.e., Pulaski, Mcloud, handpick, etc.
Experience using and maintaining mechanical equipment, i.e., chainsaws, brush cutter, power hedge trimmer, auger drills, and other power equipment
Experience in ecological restoration, fire resiliency work, wildland fire suppression, or invasive species management
Experience with mapping software, Trimble GPS, or other mapping technologies
Ability to identify flora and fauna of the San Francisco Bay Area
Ability to troubleshoot problems with fire equipment such as pumps, hoses, torches, and propane tanks
Experience with irrigation systems
Experience driving trucks with trailers
Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Certified
Valid Driver’s License/Auto Insurance, and can pass a DMV background check (Required)
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
IDEAL EXPERIENCE, BUT NOT REQUIRED
Wildland Firefighter Type II
Associate or Bachelor's degree in natural resources or related field
Chainsaw trainings or safety certificates
Experience with conservation pile burning or Biochar creation
QAC or QAL
Irrigation Technician Certification
Bilingual, particularly Spanish-speaking
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed primarily in the field (Approximately 90%+). Fieldwork includes bending, kneeling, climbing, crawling, wading or standing in water, and being on your feet for long periods. Occasional office work includes using a computer, phone, and copier. Candidates must be able to safely push, pull, lift and carry up to 60 lbs. Occasionally, employees will be asked to perform light construction work. Technicians regularly experience inclement weather, including rain, heat, cold, exposure to the sun, high winds, and smoke from prescribed fire. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety precautions are mandatory. Sonoma Ecology Center is a drug-free workplace and an EEOC employer.
BENEFITS
Eligibility to enroll in one of two Kaiser Permanente health insurance plans on the first of the month after hire. Of which, SEC pays a percentage of the employee’s premium (not that of dependents). You are also eligible for paid holidays; vacation accrual; sick accrual; and the ability to enroll in a self-funded TIAA 403(B) account.
Annual professional development budget to further skills and knowledge associated with natural resource management
Work boot stipend after 90 days
Company cell phone plan
All qualified applicants will be given equal consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy, breastfeeding, veteran, military status, genetic information, and marital status or familial status. Sonoma Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify our Human Resources Department.
Please include your resume, cover letter, three references, and portfolio samples, preferably in one PDF.
No phone calls, please. For more information about the Sonoma Ecology Center, please visit www.sonomaecologycenter.org.
