Conservation Ecology Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit orgnaization that mobilizes individuals, families, communities, philanthropists, and public agencies to work together to create green, resilient communiuties by providing education on the benefits of planting trees, capturing rainwater, greening schools, and providing fun environmental education activities. TreePeople unites with communiuties to grow a greener, shadier and more water-secure region at homes, neighborhoods, schools and in the local mountains.

The Conservation Coordinator works directly with the Conservation Senior Manager, Manager or Associate Manager to help organize and support forest health programs in the local mountains or wildland areas under TreePeople’s Conservation Department.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Organize, manage and facilitate restoration/reforestation, planting and care events, and monitor the progress at restoration/reforestation sites 

  • This includes meeting and commuting up to 4 hrs in work vehicles 

• Support program operations as needed, including project prep, event support and follow-up. 

  • Including weekly data entry which requires proficiency in G-suite and an ability to quickly learn new data entry software 

• Support the participation of volunteers in restoration projects including supervisor training, project prep and follow-up work 

  • Be a leader in the field, with the knowledge or the ability to quickly learn plant identification, location ecology specifics, wilderness first aid.

• Assist in communication with TreePeople’s partners, USFS / San Bernardino National Forest, National Park Service, and others to identify, implement, survey and track ongoing projects and ensure partner’s needs and expectations are met. 

• Assist in maintaining all program relevant trucks, tools and equipment

SECONDARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Participate in TreePeople’s outreach efforts as needed. 

• Support TreePeople's nursery operations by participating in seed collection and treatment, as well as any propagation related activity. 

• Represent TreePeople at meetings and other gatherings. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• 2 years of experience in conservation work

• Ability to do physical labor for a full day, including loading and unloading heavy tools onto trucks, and hiking off-trail on mountainsides. 

• Residency near and/or strong familiarity with the local ranges of mountains, their ecosystems and the communities in the surrounding area. 

• Sincere interest in the environment and the future of Southern California’s wilderness areas. 

• Must exemplify safe work practices

• Experience in volunteer organizing

• Proficiency in or a willingness to learn plant identification. 

• Skills in public speaking and public engagement

• Attention to detail, precision and demonstrated ability to concentrate on tasks that deliver accurate results

• Experience with computer applications and database management systems including but not limited to ArcGIS, Salesforce, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and remote GPS devices.

• Highly organized, strong work ethic, friendly, smart, proactive and a quick learner. 

• Valid CA Driver’s license and clean driving record desired to perform job-related essential functions.

• Available to work a 4/10 schedule including some weekend days.

• Interested in local climate resilience and environmental issues impacting communities throughout Southern California.

• Experience in volunteer organizing 

• Understanding of effective scientific communication 

• Spanish fluency 

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS 

• Work demands physical energy, twisting, safe heavy lifting ability, and hand-to-eye coordination.

• Uses machines, equipment, and work tools including but not limited to: shovels, rock bars, McLeod’s, pitch forks, general hand tools, lift gates, water tanks, fire hoses, weed whips, chainsaws, and augers.

• Must be able to repeatedly lift 50 pounds throughout a work day.

• Must be able to enter and exit a truck cab and bed numerous times a day.

• Must be able to navigate up to 3-8 walking miles of uneven terrain with heavy tools.

• Must be able to withstand exposure to a variety of environmental conditions while completing work assignments including rain, heat, wind, snow, and varying levels of exposure.

• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.