Invasive Plant Control Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Primary Responsibilities:

• Survey and sight identify target species for treatment;
• Handle and mix chemical herbicide following direction from the crew lead;
• Conduct inventories and safety checks for equipment and supplies;
• Implement mechanical methods to control invasive plants including hand pulling, shovel shearing, weed whacking, and tarping;
• Utilize handheld GPS enabled mobile devices to collect data on plant populations and treatment;
• Collect and process native plant seed and restore disturbed sites. Collect native plant seed for restoration, prep restoration sites, and maintain previously restored sites;
• Survey, document, collect data on, and protect rare plants. Survey and document rare plants concurrent with invasive plant survey and treatment led by the early detection and rare plant specialist. Rare plant mitigations may be implemented including flagging for avoidance, seed collection, and/or plant salvage;
• Lead and educate volunteers to accomplish invasive plant control and native plant restoration;
• Manage data in GIS; and
• The position will handle backpack, truck mounted sprayers, and hand tools including shovels, rakes, loppers, pruners, etc.

Timeline:

• June  2026 – August 2026, 12 weeks, with possibility for extension;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: Weekly schedule, 4/10s.

Location:

Yosemite National Park is world renowned for its giant granite walls, waterfalls, sequoias, 

beautiful meadows, and snowcapped mountains. The Park encompasses nearly 750,000 acres of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and is 94% designated wilderness. The elevation ranges from just under 2,000’ to just over 13,000’, and many ecosystems can be found within, including foothill chaparral, oak woodland, mixed conifer forest, subalpine meadows, and alpine fell fields. The Park hosts over 1,500 plant taxa and many animals, including special status, threatened, and endangered species. Yosemite is one of the most sought after climbing and hiking destinations in the world. Many additional recreational opportunities abound including botanizing, birding, fishing, swimming, and skiing.

Duty Station Wawona or El Portal:

Wawona, CA is a small, relatively isolated community in Yosemite National Park with limited services. Wawona is located on the west side of the park along Wawona Rd. (continuation of Highway 41 in the Park) near the South Entrance and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. It is home to many park and park partner employees. It has a gas station, small market, and nearby hotel and restaurant, but no other services. Oakhurst, about 35 minutes away, has additional services including grocery and hardware stores, and restaurants.

El Portal, CA is a small, relatively isolated community in Yosemite National Park with limited services. It is located just outside the park boundary along Hwy 140. It has a gas station, small market, and nearby hotel and restaurant, but no other services. Mariposa, about 40 minutes away, has additional services including grocery and hardware stores, and restaurants.

Some front country camping and overnight stays in bunkhouses will be required.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $20.60 hourly;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums available after the first of the month from start date;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Sick leave and holidays; and;
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: Housing will be provided to the selected participants through August 22, 2026. If extended, the participant may be required to secure their own housing accommodations after that date.

Per diem: Camping per diem provided per night in the field.

Required:

• B.S. in Natural Resource Management, Plant Ecology, Conservation Biology, or a related field; or at least two years of full-time experience in a related field
• Familiarity with ecological processes and flora of the Central Sierra;
• Experience in volunteer coordination and at least one year/field season of experience in leadership of field personnel;
• Experience in vegetation management such as invasive plant management, native plant restoration, nursery production, landscape management, or other related field;
• Experience in performing field work and an ability to follow directions for data collection;
• Experience in collecting and managing data by following standard operating procedures, and/or inputting data into Excel, Access, ArcGIS, and/or utilizing GPS and GPS enabled devices to collect data through FieldMaps, Survey123, Collector, or other related software;
• Ability to contribute to safe work and living cultures;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, to a diverse audience;
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;
•  Must meet PLC age and citizenship requirements;
• Possess a commitment to personal and team member safety, and communicate perceived safety threats immediately; and
• Must be motivated, self-directed, organized, and detail oriented.

Physical Demands:

This work, involving use of a backpack sprayer in a wildland setting, is physically demanding. Considerable time will be spent off trail and in steep rocky terrain with loose footing. Field work in these settings includes exposure to environmental hazards such as: sun, temperature extremes (hot and cold), rain, snow, poison oak, rattlesnakes, biting and stinging insects, working in recently burned areas, and working outdoors during wildfire season where air quality may be affected by nearby wildfires. Work is also performed near the public and along roadsides. Everyone who takes part in this work will undergo extensive training to ensure safety, learn the flora, and build a good team dynamic.

How to Apply:

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:

This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.

Notes:

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.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

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.