Mechanical/Manual Environmental Restoration Field Technician
MECHANICAL/MANUAL RESTORATION
Position Type: Seasonal, Month-to-Month Basis, Field-Based
Primary Work Area: Southern California; travel to remote project sites
Salary: DOE
Position Summary
Gulf South Research Corporation (GSRC) is seeking a dependable, safety-minded, monthly-basis Mechanical/Manual Environmental Restoration Field Technician to support invasive plant management and habitat restoration projects on military installations and other government properties throughout Southern California.
This position is specifically focused on mechanical and manual restoration activities. The successful candidate will work as part of a field crew performing hands-on vegetation removal, brush clearing, cutting, digging, mowing, planting, watering, and other restoration and site-maintenance activities. Chemical vegetation control may also be performed as needed and within the employee’s applicable QAC/QAL authorization.
This is a physically demanding, outdoor field position and is not primarily an office, biological-survey, or report-writing role. Candidates should be comfortable performing repetitive manual labor, operating hand and power tools, working in rugged outdoor environments, and completing restoration tasks safely and efficiently.
A college degree is not required. Experience in habitat restoration, landscaping, vegetation management, forestry, fuels reduction, trail maintenance, agriculture, grounds maintenance, tree work, or similar outdoor work is highly relevant.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform manual and mechanical removal of invasive and undesirable vegetation, including hand pulling, digging, cutting, grubbing, trimming, mowing, and brush clearing.
- Operate hand tools and power equipment, including brush cutters, chainsaws, mowers, trimmers, and other equipment when trained and authorized.
- Remove and manage cut vegetation, brush, debris, and other materials generated during restoration activities.
- Assist with native plant installation, seeding, watering, irrigation maintenance, erosion-control measures, fencing, and other habitat restoration activities.
- Perform vegetation clearing and maintenance around restoration areas, roads, trails, drainages, wetlands, and other project areas.
- Recognize common invasive and native plant species and follow project instructions to avoid impacts to native vegetation, wildlife, cultural resources, wetlands, and other sensitive areas.
- Assist with herbicide application activities as needed, including mixing, loading, transporting, and applying herbicides in accordance with California requirements, product labels, safety data sheets, project specifications, and supervisor direction.
- Maintain accurate field logs, pesticide application records, equipment inspections, photographs, and other required documentation.
- Operate and maintain UTVs, trailers, pumps, irrigation equipment, backpack sprayers, hand tools, and other field equipment when trained and authorized.
- Load, unload, transport, clean, and maintain tools, equipment, materials, plants, and supplies.
- Follow GSRC safety requirements, Accident Prevention Plans, Activity Hazard Analyses, pesticide labels, equipment procedures, and military installation rules.
- Work effectively as part of a field crew and communicate with supervisors, crew members, and client representatives.
- Perform other restoration and vegetation-management duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- At least one year or one full field season of hands-on experience in habitat restoration, landscaping, vegetation management, forestry, agriculture, grounds maintenance, fuels reduction, tree work, trail maintenance, rights-of-way maintenance, or comparable outdoor labor.
- Demonstrated ability to perform physically demanding manual and mechanical vegetation-control work.
- Experience using hand tools and/or power equipment in an outdoor work environment.
- Ability to perform repetitive activities including hand pulling, digging, cutting, brush clearing, mowing, planting, watering, and material handling.
- Ability to read and follow English-language pesticide labels, safety instructions, equipment manuals, and basic project documentation, and to complete accurate field records.
- Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record for assigned company driving duties.
- Ability to obtain and maintain access authorization for U.S. military installations, including required identity verification and background vetting.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, bend or kneel repeatedly, use hand and power tools, and hike several miles over uneven terrain, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Willingness to work outdoors in demanding conditions, travel throughout Southern California, stay overnight when required, wear required PPE, and provide documentation of authorization to work in the United States.
Preferred Qualifications
- 1+ years of directly related experience in vegetation management, landscaping, trail maintenance, tree work, or similar field work.
- Strong mechanical/manual vegetation-management experience.
- Experience operating chainsaws, brush cutters, mowers, UTVs, trailers, pumps, irrigation equipment, or other small equipment.
- Some knowledge of Southern California native and invasive plants.
- Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills helpful for field-crew coordination, but not required.
Working Conditions
This position requires extensive outdoor work in remote environments and may involve prolonged periods of physical labor. Assignments may include hand pulling, digging, cutting, brush clearing, mowing, woody-vegetation removal, chainsaw or brush-cutter work, planting, watering, equipment loading, material handling, and hiking over rugged terrain.
Work may occur near roads, drainages, wetlands, desert or coastal habitat, steep slopes, and developed military facilities. Employees may work in hot, dry, dusty, wet, or otherwise demanding conditions. Required PPE and stop-work rules apply.
Compensation and Employment
Hourly pay range: Depends on experience
Overtime, travel reimbursement, lodging, per diem, benefits, and other terms will be provided in accordance with GSRC policy and the applicable project.
Strong performers may be considered for recurring assignments, additional equipment training, expanded pesticide categories, or advancement to crew lead as work is available.
How to Apply
Submit a resume to Madison Vining at mlofing@gsrcorp.com. The application must include:
- Current city and state, phone number, general availability, driver’s license status, and ability to travel or stay overnight.
- Summary of mechanical/manual restoration and vegetation-management experience.
- Experience using hand tools, power equipment, chainsaws, brush cutters, mowers, UTVs, irrigation equipment, or other field equipment.
- Relevant experience in habitat restoration, landscaping, agriculture, forestry, vegetation management, tree work, trail maintenance, fuels reduction, rights-of-way, or similar labor-intensive work.
- Summary of herbicide-application experience and equipment used, if applicable.
GSRC is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, experience, safety, availability, and project requirements.
Work Location: In person