Invasive Plant Management Technician (NPS, Yosemite National Park)

Great Basin Institute • Yosemite National Park, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Yosemite National Park is recruiting four (4) Invasive Plant Management Technicians to support vegetation management throughout the Park. In addition to using mechanical and chemical methods for invasive plant treatment, responsibilities of these positions also include volunteer management, seed collection and processing, and rare plant survey and protection. The work is a mix of front-country and off-trail work in a wildland setting and may include travel outside the park to neighboring public lands and other National Parks. The primary projects these positions will support include: Yosemite Valley restoration projects, Washburn Fire and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias post-fire rehabilitation. This work will take technicians to many places throughout this spectacular National Park. The foothills are lovely in the spring with amazing flower displays carpeting the hills. Higher in elevation, work will be conducted in montane meadows including in Yosemite Valley under Half Dome and El Capitan. Project work will also take place in old growth giant sequoia groves, montane forests, and subalpine ecosystems under snow-covered peaks in Tuolumne Meadows.

Requirements

• B.S. in Natural Resource Management, Plant Ecology, Conservation Biology, or a related field; or at least two years of full-time experience in a related field
• Familiarity with ecological processes and flora of the Central Sierra
• Experience in volunteer coordination and at least one year/field season of experience in leadership of field personnel
• Experience in vegetation management such as invasive plant management, native plant restoration, nursery production, landscape management, or other related field
• Experience in performing field work and an ability to follow directions for data collection
• Experience in collecting and managing data by following standard operating procedures, and/or inputting data into Excel, Access, ArcGIS, and/or utilizing GPS and GPS enabled devices to collect data through FieldMaps, Survey123, Collector, or other related software
• Ability to contribute to safe work and living cultures
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, to a diverse audience
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record
• Must meet PLC age and citizenship requirements
• Possess a commitment to personal and team member safety, and communicate perceived safety threats immediately
• Must be motivated, self-directed, organized, and detail oriented

Responsibilities

• Survey and sight identify target species for treatment
• Handle and mix chemical herbicide following direction from the crew lead
• Conduct inventories and safety checks for equipment and supplies
• Implement mechanical methods to control invasive plants including hand pulling, shovel shearing, weed whacking, and tarping
• Utilize handheld GPS enabled mobile devices to collect data on plant populations and treatment
• Collect and process native plant seed and restore disturbed sites
• Collect native plant seed for restoration, prep restoration sites, and maintain previously restored sites
• Survey, document, collect data on, and protect rare plants
• Survey and document rare plants concurrent with invasive plant survey and treatment led by the early detection and rare plant specialist
• Rare plant mitigations may be implemented including flagging for avoidance, seed collection, and/or plant salvage
• Lead and educate volunteers to accomplish invasive plant control and native plant restoration
• Manage data in GIS
• Handle backpack, truck mounted sprayers, and hand tools including shovels, rakes, loppers, pruners, etc.

Benefits

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums available after the first of the month from start date
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost
• Sick leave and holidays
• Access to Pro Deals
• Housing will be provided to the selected participants through August 22, 2026
• Camping per diem provided per night in the field

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level