Marin Restoration Technician

Job Summary:

We are seeking an enthusiastic team member to assist in habitat restoration projects with Point Blue’s Students and Teachers Restoring A Watershed (STRAW) program . The Marin Restoration Technician (MRT) works closely with STRAW staff, volunteers, educators, apprentices, and program staff to implement and maintain community-based ecological restoration projects on working lands with our partners in Marin County. This technician may lead the field work of other technicians, apprentices and volunteers and will teach lessons and operate various equipment.

STRAW is a collaborative program that connects schools, community members, businesses, government agencies, public land managers, indigenous communities, and private landowners to restore local ecosystems. For over 30 years, STRAW has been engaging and educating Bay Area students and communities about science, conservation, and water quality through hands-on restoration projects, outreach, and classroom lessons. To date, STRAW has worked with more than 45,000 students to restore over 35 miles of riparian habitat.

STRAW provides full-service restoration project management and implementation to our partners, including locating sites, climate-smart project design, student and volunteer education and training, implementation, maintenance, monitoring and reporting. We work with students and community volunteers to implement restoration projects through hands-on workdays. Student participation and community involvement increases volunteers’ awareness of and experience with stewardship and raises support for partners from the communities they aim to engage.

Essential Functions:

Restoration Support: 95%

Assist with planning and implementing restoration projects, and non-native plant management including ordering and staging restoration supplies, preparing field sites, and communicating and coordinating with teachers and project partners.
Participate in physically demanding field work such as working on steep hillsides, carrying restoration equipment such as shovels, rock bars, and supply bins, loading and unloading vehicles, etc.
Assist with planning and coordinating restoration site maintenance during spring and summer, including assessing site requirements and plant health in the field, installing drip irrigation, weeding, and tracking and recording maintenance activities.
Assist native plant nursery maintenance and operations in multiple locations, including but not limited to: seed collection, processing, germination, propagation and integrated pest management.
Follow BMPs (Best Management Practices) for nursery propagation and field operations to prevent and test for Phytophthora (sudden oak death).
Communicate effectively with a dynamic team including collaborating with Education staff, leading apprentices/interns, with instruction from Project Managers.
Drive vehicles owned by Point Blue (e.g. trucks, tow trailers, all terrain vehicles) from the Point Blue office and/or storage facilities to project sites.
Operate mechanical tools and equipment such as weed whackers and small engines.
Observe safe work methods and appropriate use of related safety equipment.
Mapping in the field for plants and monitoring.
Assist with water management such as moving weir boards and adjusting tide gates.
Track details, like restoration supplies and tools, maintain accurate logs, including data collection and entry, photo-monitoring, and report writing.
Oversee vehicle, storage facility, and tool logistics.
Mentor, supervise and provide technical direction to a crew of apprentices and interns, including leading field work and coordinating with Project Managers to plan daily tasks and supplies needed.
Lead volunteers including school groups, conservation corps crews, and other volunteers in the field in community restoration activities, including demonstrating proper planting and tool techniques, while ensuring the safety of all participants and a high quality of work.

Education Support: 3%

Attend and help lead days with students, adult chaperones, and teachers throughout the Bay Area build relationships with STRAW teachers, aid them with resources, ideas, and check-ins.
Assist with planning and logistics for teacher training events including the annual Watershed Week.

Other Duties as Assigned: 2%

Perform other duties, projects and research as assigned.
Attend meetings and build relationships with local project partnerships and support restoration and outreach efforts.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Mentor and provide oversight to apprentices and interns.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Familiar with ecological restoration work, including physically demanding field work.
Desire to learn from and engage with Marin and Sonoma counties’ agricultural communities and producers.
Adept at teaching and engaging with K-12 students and other public audiences.
Desire to acquire knowledge of ecosystem processes, terminology, scientific research methods and techniques involved in ecosystem conservation and management.
Openness to take in, share knowledge and skills, and hear new perspectives.
A strong sense of self awareness and the willingness to engage in reflective practice.
Strengths in independent problem solving and troubleshooting challenges.
Work respectfully on private and public property.
Work in both a team setting and individually.
Lead small teams of people in the field.
Listen carefully and execute detailed instructions.
Familiar with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, including spreadsheets, word processing, and email applications.
Communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
Practice self awareness and respect while engaging with people of all backgrounds and ages.
Spanish language proficiency is preferred

Certifications and/or Licenses:

Valid US driver’s license (4 year minimum) with favorable driving history to drive company owned vehicles.
Approved background check and fingerprinting to work with students.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Any combination of experience and training that is equivalent to a minimum of 1-2 years of experience including, but not limited to:

Natural resource management, habitat restoration, natural sciences, horticulture, biology, ecology, restoration, botany, agronomy, agriculture, wildlife management, small engine repair, mechanics, engineering, hydrology, irrigation, landscaping, traditional ecological knowledge or related work.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

The position is based out of our facility located in Petaluma, California and will go to field sites primarily in Marin County, but on occasion across the Bay Area.
This position operates at remote field locations with uneven terrain, limited vehicle access, limited cell phone reception, and sometimes in a solitary capacity.
Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions such as rain, heat, wind, and cold temperatures.
Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, walk and perform other physical activities.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and complete strenuous physical tasks.

Position Type, Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:

This position is full time, non-exempt, permanent.
The schedule will vary according to the season but generally it is 8 hours per day, Monday – Friday, with some overtime
Occasional travel and overnight stays may be required for this position. Advanced notice will be given.

How to Apply

Please apply through this Google form by August 11th. For questions, email jobs@pointblue.org.