Vegetation Technician (NPS, Sausalito CA)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with The National Park Service, is recruiting one (1) Vegetation Technician for the San Francisco Bay Area Network Inventory & Monitoring Program (SFAN). Under the direction of the SFAN Botanist, the selected candidate will lead a small crew implementing standard plant community monitoring techniques and identifying vascular plant species as they revisit permanent plots in grassland, coastal scrub, and salt marsh communities throughout Network parks. The Technician will contribute to long-term plant community datasets by performing a variety of field and office tasks associated with annual monitoring.

This position is primarily field based and will require moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including hiking with 20 to 30 lbs of gear up steep slopes and/or over uneven terrain. Field work involves driving a government vehicle for daily commutes to field sites and will include two or more camping trips to Pinnacles National Park. Common environmental hazards associated with field work include navigating through dense scrub, poison oak, ticks, strong winds, and inclement weather. Those with strong reactions to poison oak should know that exposure is frequent and sometimes unavoidable.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conducts vegetation monitoring according to the SFAN Plant Community Monitoring Protocol;
• Identifies vascular plants to species using dichotomous keys, such as the Jepson Manual, and prepares herbarium-quality voucher specimens;
• Coordinates field planning and logistics, hikes to pre-determined plot locations, and safely leads crew members in the field;
• Correctly enters data into a Microsoft Access database and performs data quality assurance/quality control measures (QA/QC);
• Contributes written materials to annual reports and science communication products; and
• Occasionally assists with operations of other SFAN projects, as needed.

Timeline:

• April-October 2026, 26 wks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 9 hours daily; Friday, 4 hours daily.

Location:

Field work will occur throughout several SFAN parks including Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Pinnacles National Park. The Technician will be stationed in the Marin Headlands of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Marin Headlands offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, and surfing, as well as proximity to the urban amenities of San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $25 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: Park housing may be available at no cost to the selected participant. 

Per diem: Camping per diem provided at $40 per night in the field.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and field experience;
• Enthusiasm about the position, with knowledge and interest in vegetation monitoring, botany, and plant ecology;
• Familiarity with vascular plants of SFAN parks and/or California’s central coast;
• Proficiency using dichotomous keys to identify vascular plants;
• Ability to safely navigate to field sites using maps/compass and handheld GPS devices; 
• High level of proficiency leading fieldwork in remote field settings; 
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Experience with data entry and QA/QC procedures;
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills;
• Willing to undergo and pass required background checks; and
• Driving: Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record.

How to Apply: 

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application. 

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: 

This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.
 

Notes: 

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer: 

Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.