Invasive Plant Technician (NPS, Joshua Tree National Park)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Joshua Tree NP, is recruiting two (2) Invasive Plant Technicians to assist with JOTR Vegetation Branch operations The technician will assist program leads to monitor and control invasive plants and other weeds, restore native plant communities, propagate native plants, monitor rare plants and other vegetation, implement treatments to reduce fuels and promote post-wildfire vegetation recovery, implement treatments to repair and prevent illegal off-road vehicle incursions, and other duties as assigned. As part of the Vegetation Branch Team, the technician may assist park staff with invasive plant inventory and control and Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR), vegetation monitoring, fuel break maintenance, restoration of degraded plant communities, and reclaiming damages caused by vehicles traveling off-road. Restoration and rehabilitation will involve digging holes to plant container-grown plants, caging to protect from herbivory, and periodically watering restoration plantings. Monitoring could include collecting plant cover, height, frequency, and density data, including identification to genus-species-variety level. Off-highway vehicle damage reclamation may include inventory of incursion tracks, construction of barricades, installation of signage, installation of vertical and horizontal mulch and raking out vehicle tracks. Plant propagation tasks can include collecting and cleaning seed and tasks typical of plant nursery work (germinating, transplanting, watering, weeding, pruning). Should the technician choose to, this position will support the technician obtaining a California Applicator’s Certificate so long as the certificate is obtained in the first six months of employment. Primary Responsibilities: - The technician will be required to apply herbicide to control invasive species. - Assisting with invasive plant control, including EDRR, will involve surveying for invasive plants and manual (hand pulling, clipping, mowing) and chemical (herbicide) treatments to eliminate weeds. - The technician will be required to operate a 4x4 truck pulling a 500 to 800-gallon water trailer, including backing the trailer and negotiating tight turns and rocky roads. - Leading volunteer groups conducting manual treatment of invasive plants. - Other vegetation duties as needed (rare plant surveys, restoration activities, etc.) Timeline: - July 2026 - July 2027, 52 weeks. - Full time (40 hours/week), possibly including some weekends; potential to extend length of employment depending on available funding and positive performance review. - Schedule: Four, 10 hour days a week with occasional work on weekends, as needed. Location: Joshua Tree National Park encompasses nearly 800,000 acres in southern California, 2- to 3-hour drive from Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Joshua Tree National Park is of special management concern, lying in the transition of the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. Aside from the outdoor recreation opportunities and natural wonders within the park, Death Valley and Grand Canyon National Parks, the Mojave Preserve, as well as Lake Mead and Spring Mountains National Recreation Areas are nearby and afford a diversity of outdoor activities ranging from hiking, mountain biking and rock hounding to fishing, boating and skiing/snowboarding. Field conditions at Joshua Tree include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun, as well as cold, winter weather. Terrain varies from sandy desert washes to steep rocky slopes, including navigating through large boulder fields. Resources of the region include threatened and/or endangered species habitat, big game habitats, abandoned mine lands, and historic and prehistoric cultural sites. Compensation and Benefits: Compensation: $23-$26 hourly depending on experience. Benefits: - Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance. - $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D…