Forest Ranger Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Groveland Ranger District; Stanislaus National Forest
The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting Botany Technician to perform vegetation surveys and invasive species treatment within the Sierra Nevada mountain range. These projects serve the Basin & Range Forestry program's greater mission of helping the USFS achieve its critical goal of improving forest resilience in the face of worsening climate conditions and increased wildfire threats. The work directly improves the quality of these forests, helping ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.
Crew members will benefit from exposure to USFS processes, procedures, compliance measures, and reporting, as well as technical experience. Expanded opportunities and exposure to additional disciplines (e.g., archaeology, wildlife, hydrology, recreation, etc.) and projects may exist. These positions protect sensitive botanical species, contribute to USFS vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, and support initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes and resources. Outcomes of fieldwork conducted in accordance with USFS protocols will advance planning for management actions on National Forest lands.
Technician - Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Conducting botanical surveys to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions, factors affecting vigor, and the extent of species and their habitats.
• Performing invasive treatments through chemical and manual methods.
• Laying out monitoring plots.
• Photographing or collecting specimens as directed.
• Producing maps of survey areas.
• Recording, entering, and summarizing data.
• Using botanical keys to identify plants.
• Supervise contractors work for the USFS
• Assisting with reporting tasks as needed.

Location
Groveland Ranger District - Stanislaus National Forest
This position is based along the Highway 120 corridor on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, within the Groveland Ranger District. The district includes lower- to mid-elevation landscapes characterized by mixed conifer forests, foothill woodland habitats, and steep terrain associated with the Tuolumne River canyon.
The area experiences high recreation use due to its proximity to Yosemite National Park and major river corridors, and fieldwork may occur in heavily visited as well as remote settings.
Nearby communities include Groveland, Pinecrest, and Twain Harte, with the San Francisco Bay Area approximately three hours to the west. The region offers extensive recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, and river-based activities.
WORK SCHEDULE
Projects begin in May 2026, and end as late as October 2026.
The Botany Crew follow 10-hour days, four days per week schedule
Temporary Special Assignment employees are eligible to receive holiday pay, if approved by the partner. TSAs holiday schedule will comply with the project partner holiday schedule, unless otherwise specified in their employment offer. TSAs working five (5) eight (8) hour days per workweek will be paid eight (8) hours for all holidays. TSAs working four (4) ten (10) hour days per workweek will be paid ten (10) hours for all holidays. Same with other approved/allowable workweek configurations; these can be accommodated accordingly with Banked Holidays.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Wage: $21/hour with overtime at 1.5× hourly rate. Full-time, average 40 hours per week.
Housing: Free shared housing provided for the crew members.
In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time, on-site position includes company-paid premium comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, along with voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members. Mental health support resources are employer provided, competitive PTO accrual, and paid holidays. This role contributes to GBI's significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.
TSA employees who serve a term under 52 weeks in duration, and have a thirty (30) day or less break between terms, and then sign a second term that (cumulatively) becomes greater than 52 weeks of employment, will be eligible for the >1-year TSA benefits (equivalent to Regular full-time employees). Employees serving a term under 90 days are not eligible for paid holidays or sick leave time.
To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Lead - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience conducting botanical field surveys, including rare plant surveys
• Strong understanding of and experience conducting standard botanical survey methods, vegetation assessments, and habitat characterization, with the ability to ensure consistent application across field crews
• Ability to identify plants using technical keys to the species or subspecies level and support others in accurate identification
• Experience implementing, overseeing, and ensuring compliance with established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols
• Proficiency in GPS navigation, map reading, and supporting map production for survey and monitoring efforts
• Physical ability for fieldwork in remote areas, including overnight camping if necessary
• Ability to coordinate daily field operations, manage crew safety, and adapt work plans in response to field conditions and project needs
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and project partners
• Physical ability to carry a 30 pound backpack sprayer through varied, rugged terrain.Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver's license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads
• Experience leading crews in the field preferred

Education:
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Botany, or a related field with fieldwork experience OR three seasons of botany fieldwork experience
TO APPLY
Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three professional references.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.
Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.