Founded in 1990, Laguna Canyon Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the South Coast Wilderness, a 22,000-acre network of open space surrounding Laguna Beach in Orange County, California.
We acquire open space to add to the parks system, offer education programs for school children and the public, design and rehabilitate trails, and restore habitat throughout the South Coast Wilderness.
The Restoration Program is currently engaged in over a dozen projects, ranging from habitat restoration to weed management to rare plant protection to fuel modification.
Position Summary:
The Restoration Coordinator will work closely with the Restoration Director, Restoration Manager, Restoration Technicians and other Laguna Canyon Foundation staff, landowners and partners to implement both small scale and landscape-level habitat restoration projects.
This position performs duties including but not limited to: native plant seed collection, native plant propagation and installation, irrigation installation and maintenance, qualitative and quantitative monitoring of restoration sites, mechanical and chemical weed control, and GIS mapping. This position is primarily field based and requires extensive physical labor in adverse conditions and difficult terrain, including but not limited to working with herbicide, hand weeding, digging, bending, kneeling, and hauling heavy, awkward materials and equipment. The ideal candidate will have experience working on habitat restoration projects, be a strong problem solver who is comfortable using an adaptive work management style, have a proven track record working both independently and as a team member, and be dependable, self-motivated and have a positive attitude.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct field work in support of new and ongoing habitat restoration projects, including:
- Obtaining, propagating and installing plant propagules
- Identifying and managing non-native plant populations through a combination of herbicide application, hand-pulling, mowing and mulching
- Installing, monitoring and maintaining irrigation systems
- Making monthly and quarterly site observations
- Assisting with annual vegetation monitoring and photo documentation
- Project management and contractor coordination
- Implement regular public volunteer events including restoration, nursery and trail events
- Prepare project reports, grant applications, project cost estimates and proposals
- Supervise personnel in the field
- Other tasks as assigned
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in ecology or related field plus one year of experience in habitat restoration, or three years of experience in habitat restoration
- Knowledge of or ability to learn about and identify local native and non-native plants
- Has or can obtain Certified Pest Application license
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently, both independently and as a productive team member
- Access to a reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license and required insurance coverage, and willingness to use vehicle for work purposes (mileage reimbursement available)
- Experience performing physically demanding labor in adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills, time management skills, and organizational abilities
- Ability and willingness to work weekend hours and evening hours as necessary
- Highly-motivated and a proven self-starter
- Passion for Laguna Canyon Foundation’s mission
The ideal candidate may also have:
- 4 or more years of experience in field biology, habitat restoration or related field
- Experience in trail maintenance and construction
- Experience with wildland fire training and/or fuel modification
- Experience leading field-based volunteer events
- Experience in growing native plants in a nursery
- Familiarity with local environmental agencies and regulations
Essential Functions:
The person in this position:
- Constantly works in outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions
- Constantly traverses off-trail over rough terrain and steep slopes, sometimes through thick vegetation
- Frequently lifts and carries loads up to 25 pounds and occasionally lifts loads up to 50 pounds
- Frequently positions self close to the ground to pull weeds, fix irrigation lines, etc.
- Frequently grips and manipulates hand tools such as shovels, picks, loppers, wrenches, hammers, etc.
- Constantly exchanges information both verbally and in written form with supervisor, co-workers, and others
- Remains in a stationary position for up to 30% of the time
Salary and Benefits:
- $17.00 – $19.25/hour, depending on experience
- Benefits package including health and dental insurance, retirement benefits
- Two weeks’ vacation per year, plus sick time, personal time and holidays
- Some evenings and weekends are required
Additional Information
- Start date is October 1, 2018
- Please send resume and cover letter to josie@lagunacanyon.org
