Channel Islands Restoration is seeking a native plant nursery technician to work on the Channel Islands and the Ventura County Mainland.

Channel Islands Restoration is a non-profit organization that restores habitat in sensitive and unique natural areas on the California Channel Islands and on the mainland of southern California. We help protect rare and endangered native plant and animal species by restoring the natural habitat they depend on for survival. We help educate school children and a variety of other groups about the value of native habitat and how to protect it.  We recruit volunteers and help identify and develop public and private funding sources for habitat restoration programs.

TITLE: Native Plant Nursery Technician

POSITION TERM: Minimum of one year; two-thirds time minimum, with additional hours possible depending on project-need.  

STARTS WHEN: Immediately

REPORTS TO: Nursery Manager and Operations Manager

SUMMARY: This person works as part of a team (but sometimes individually). Under the supervision of the Nursery Manager, the person will be engaged in propagating native plants, including tasks such as potting, transplanting, watering, weeding, etc. It also involves lifting and carrying heavy items. Work locations will be in Camarillo and on the Channel Islands. The work will involve working outside in a shade house and will be exposed to the weather including fog, rain, cold, wind, heat and often working with hands in moist soil. Transportation to the islands will be by boat or airplane, depending on the island. Roughly 10 to 20 percent of the time will be spent entering data on a computer.

Fieldwork will involve manual labor, sometimes hiking over steep, rugged terrain with unstable rocky substrate. Handling of plants is routine. Contact with cactus and stinging nettle is common. We are outdoors all the time and work in severe weather conditions. We get scratched, bitten, bruised, tired and exhausted but it is FANTASTIC JOB for someone who likes working outdoors, with people and plants, learning new things, and seeing beauty every day.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: An ideal candidate will possess a substantial combination of all of the following skills and experience.

Ø  Propagating native plants, including potting, transplanting, watering, weeding, seed collecting etc.

Ø  Working with many volunteers, managing, instructing, directing, leading, and anticipating the needs of the nursery, the current project and the volunteers.

Ø  Entering data into a spreadsheet on a computer, and sending emails.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The ideal candidate will possess experience with propagating and growing native plants. In addition, the candidate must possess:

Ø  Good knowledge of native and invasive plant species.

Ø  A Class C Driver’s License and reliable vehicular transportation. 

Ø  Willingness to commute to neighboring communities and to the Channel Islands to perform work.

Ø  The ability to work and hike outdoors in all weather conditions, ability to work long hours outdoors.

Ø  Physical stamina necessary to stand for long periods of time, lifting and carrying 40 pounds at one time, hiking, climbing, bending, crawling, getting dirty (collecting seeds/fruits and cuttings) carrying material over uneven terrain for some distance.

Ø  The ability to deal with field conditions that may be hot, dusty, cold, muddy, and/or wet depending on season and degree of exposure.

Ø  Willingness to make multi-day trips to the Channel Islands.

Ø  Ability to live on a small, isolated island for two days or more while working with a team in an effective and congenial manner.

Ø  Ability to withstand sea sickness during boat transportation on rough seas.

Ø  Ability to climb 157 steps carrying gear, backpack, etc.

Ø  A good sense of balance, ability to climb and descend ladders, and get on and off a work boat safely.

Ø  Willingness to work near wild animals such as gulls and mice.

Ø  Comfort with data entry and email, and participation in other duties at a desk.

Ø  Willingness to perform other duties as directed by supervisors.

Ø  Willingness to wear appropriate safety gear such as coveralls, hiking boots, gloves, and goggles.

Ø  A great work ethic,  work efficiency, enthusiasm, ability to pay attention to detail and the ability to be a positive functioning member of a diverse team. 

SALARY LEVEL:

$18 to $22 per hour, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TO APPLY:

Submit cover letter of intent to apply (limit one page), and a résumé (limit two pages) and previous employment references (at least three) via email. The most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. Further details can be provided by contacting:

Eliyahu Gevirtz, Operations Manager and Senior Ecologist, Channel Islands Restoration. (805) 448-4175;  eliyahu@cirweb.org

More information on Channel Islands Restoration can be found on our web page at: www.cirweb.org

Ken Owen
Executive Director
Channel Islands Restoration
928 Carpinteria Street Ste. 3

Santa Barbara, CA 93103

(805) 448-5726
ken@cirweb.org
www.cirweb.org
www.facebook.com/cirweb

Channel Islands Restoration Board of Directors:

Dr. Tanya Atwater, David Chang, Dave Edwards, Joel Fithian, Gordon Hart, Steve Junak, Cindy Kimmick, Julie S. Kummel, Duke McPherson, Ken Owen, Karen Telleen-Lawton