Seasonal Restoration Technician

Position Summary 

The Seasonal Restoration Technician (SRT) will assist with habitat restoration projects in Solano County. Tasks will include establishing native plants, irrigation operation and maintenance, weed control, propagation, and monitoring restoration sites. This is a nine-month seasonal, entry level position geared towards individuals who have an interest in restoration ecology and would like to gain practical experience in restoration field work. 

Work Schedule

The work week is 32-40 hours/week spread over 4-5 days, Monday-Friday. Occasional Saturday work may be required. Start times between 7:00-7:30 AM will be typical but may occasionally be earlier or later depending on weather and field conditions.  The position will run from September 2024-June 2025.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Planting: Planting and propagation from seeds, cuttings, and nursery stock.
• Weed control: Herbicide application, weed whacking, mowing, and manual weed removal.
• Irrigation: Operating pumps, hand watering, and installing and maintaining drip irrigation systems.
• Transportation: Driving pick-up trucks, towing trailers and equipment, loading and unloading tools, plants, mulch, and supplies.
• Monitoring: Observing and recording plant health, weed populations, and wildlife.
• Fire and Flood Recovery: Removing vegetation, clean-up, mulching, and seeding.
• Public Engagement: Working with volunteers, supporting public workshops, tabling, and plant sales

This position is around 90% outdoor field work and 10% office and administrative work. Project sites include grasslands, riparian and wetland habitat, hedgerows, vegetated canals, public lands, urban parks, and farm and ranch ponds. This is an outdoor, field-based position that will require work in wildland settings, inclement weather, and temperature extremes.  On-the-job training will be provided for all technical habitat restoration activities, including the safe use of equipment and herbicides.  Work is often as part of a team, but the position will also require independent work.

Workdays will begin and end at our office in Dixon, CA. Transportation to field sites will be in Solano RCD vehicles. Staff may occasionally need to drive their personal vehicles to field sites and Solano RCD will provide mileage compensation at the IRS-approved rate.

About Solano Resource Conservation District

Solano Resource Conservation District (Solano RCD) is a special district to the State of California that works closely with a variety of local and regional partners to enhance and protect Solano County watersheds through strategic restoration activities, water education and outreach programs, and by offering conservation planning and watershed coordination services to local residents and landowners. Solano RCD staff and its Board of Directors strive toward excellence, equity, inclusion, collaboration, and appreciation in the work performed and welcome candidates who share these same values.

Minimum Qualifications               

• Enthusiasm for working outdoors and with native plants.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver’s License and have personal liability insurance.
• Physical Qualifications: Ability to navigate and work on difficult, uneven terrain and to engage in physical activities including placing or retrieving items below waist level, walking up to two miles, bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds, and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.  Ability to use hand tools such as shovels, or equipment such as weed whackers for work purposes.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in California native plants, habitat restoration, botany, or ecology.
• Experience operating weed whackers, power equipment, ATVs/UTVs, trailers.
• Familiarity with the communities, agricultural lands, and natural landscapes of Solano County.
• Degree or course work in environmental studies, botany, biology, or restoration ecology.
• Experience applying herbicides with backpack sprayers and ATVs; Qualified Applicator’s Certificate or other DPR certification.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be able to work in a variety of environments, temperature and weather extremes, standing/walking outdoors in extreme temperatures as well as on uneven terrain.
• Must be a team player with an ability to work with staff, volunteers, board members and local landowners who have a diverse range of backgrounds, motivations and interests. 
• Employment at the Solano RCD is employment at-will. Employment at-will may be terminated with or without cause and with or without notice at any time by the employee or the District.

Compensation and Benefits

The Seasonal Restoration Technician position is non-exempt (hourly) with a wage of $25.46/hour. Paid holidays and sick leave are provided. The Seasonal Restoration Technician will receive a medical stipend in lieu of insurance, as well as a uniform stipend and cell phone allowance.

How to Apply

Submission: 

To apply, please answer the application questions and submit a resume at: https://forms.office.com/r/bLcQ82UKxw

Alternatively, you may email your resume and typed answers to the questions below to Caitlyn Morrissey: caitlyn.morrissey@solanorcd.org. Mailed application materials are also accepted.

The position is open until filled, with application review beginning on July 29th, 2024 and an anticipated start around September 3rd, 2024.

Notification: All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email.

Selection Process: The application materials for applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified candidates for testing or interview. Solano RCD reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test.

Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact Caitlyn Morrissey at (707) 678-1655 x 101.

Solano Resource Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other status covered by local, state, or federal law. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve.

Application Questions:

1. Name

2. Email

3. Phone Number

4. Position(s) you are interested in: [  ] Seasonal Restoration Technician [  ] Restoration Project Coordinator 

5. How did you hear about this position?

Answer the following questions, limiting your answers to 3-5 sentences per question:

6. Why are you interested in joining the team at Solano RCD?

7. Please describe your experience working with plants and doing manual labor outdoors. Please include information about the setting (farm, restoration site, nursery, etc) and any tools and equipment that you used.

8. Please describe your interest in restoration ecology.

9. Please submit your resume in PDF format to Caitlyn.morrissey@solanorcd.org