Field Technician Job Description

Ventura Land Trust (VLT) is a nonprofit land trust working to protect the land, water, wildlife, and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. The organization strives to create a fun, inspiring, and team-oriented work environment with flexible work hours.

The Field Technician is primarily a field-based position, supporting land management and public access in VLT’s wildland preserves. This position bridges two programs, reporting to the Preserve Director and working closely with the Conservation Director. Under the Preserve Director, the Field Technician will help maintain public access infrastructure, develop preserve amenities, interact with volunteers, preserve visitors, and neighbors as well as perform other manual labor related to preserve maintenance. Conservation work will involve monitoring biological resources, managing invasive species, and implementing restoration projects. The ideal candidate is rooted in the sciences with a background in natural resource management, preferably with a strong knowledge of local flora and fauna, and has a passion for working outside while protecting the places we care about. 

Responsibilities

• Providing field labor for all aspects of land management, including non-native species control (manual, mechanical, and chemical), native seed collection, plant installation and maintenance, watering, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, and erosion control
• Documenting information including mapping natural resources and management activities, data entry, and completing field logs
• Assisting with biological monitoring and surveying of natural resources and public infrastructure
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of public access infrastructure including trail development, fence and  gate installation, erosion control and sign installation 
• Perform monitoring of adjacent property infrastructure and engage with neighboring property owners
• Regular interaction with preserve visitors 
• Problem solving and implementing creative solutions for complex projects with support and guidance from the Preserve and Conservation directors and field team
• Communicating with team about weekly tasks, unusual problems, unique opportunities, and project developments

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma and 2+ years of experience in native habitat fieldwork, or AA/AS
• Excellent work ethic and team-player attitude. Ability to lead, as needed
• Strong attention to detail, with proven ability to follow specific instructions
• Willingness to perform herbicide application
• Physically able, with or without an accommodation, to work and thrive in relatively remote  outdoor environments with uneven and sometimes extremely steep terrain, variable outdoor conditions including heat, cold, wind, dusts, chemicals, moisture, and dryness. Position requires frequent standing/walking and lifting of up to 50 pounds; often performing repetitive bending & stooping, power gripping/squeezing (hand tools, levers, etc.), repetitive or fine hand movements, occasionally working with arms above shoulder level, climbing stairs, using portable ladders, operation of and/or working in the presence of vehicles and heavy, moving, or dangerous equipment, and long distance hiking off trail, sometimes in pokey/brushy and steep conditions. Position will include wearing personal protective equipment, including safety glasses/goggles, gloves, safety shoes/boots, face shield
• Ability to effectively communicate with other project staff
• Comfortable working in a continuously evolving environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, or related sciences
• Knowledge and understanding of equipment and techniques used to perform habitat restoration
• Native coastal sage scrub and southern California  riparian plant species knowledge and identification
• Knowledge and familiarity with use, maintenance, and repair of small power equipment such as weed whips, chain saws, and blowers
• Experience working with unpaid volunteers
• Elementary GPS capabilities
• Experience with electronic data collection devices
• CPR/First Aid certified
• English/Spanish bilingual

Hourly compensation range $19-$23, commensurate with experience and other qualifications. Budgeted hours are 40 hours per week. Field Technician qualifies as a full-time hourly/non-exempt employee and is eligible for medical benefits plus vacation, holiday, and sick time. 

The application deadline for this position is December 8, 2022.

To be considered for this position, please email resume and cover letter to [email protected] with "Field Technician" in the subject line.

View a PDF of the job description here.