Pepperwood Preserve Employment opportunity: Field Technician 

About the Project: The Ackerly lab at UC Berkeley focuses on ecology, evolution and conservation of California native plant species under a changing climate. The lab installed a network of 54 forest demography research plots at Pepperwood Preserve in order to conduct a long-term study of ecological dynamics in oak woodlands and mixed hardwood forests. The study is focused on the influence of topography on environmental conditions and the plant community, and how these topo-climatic gradients will shape future plant responses as the climate changes. The network was initially installed and surveyed in 2013 before the Tubbs fire in 2017, and the Kinkade Fire in 2019 burned the majority of the research plots. Full re-surveys were conducted post fire in 2018, 2019 and 2020. This data allows us to quantify micro-environmental changes and size-dependent fire impacts across and to investigate the impact of disturbance on plant communities across topographically heterogeneous terrain and the implications for resilience to future climate change. We plan to conduct a complete demographic re-survey of these forest plots in the summer of 2026 to assess delayed mortality and ongoing vegetation recovery since the fires and we are seeking motivated field technicians to assist in the data collection. 

Position Summary: The Field Technician position is a 240 hour non-exempt position with the Pepperwood Foundation. This is a temporary position and is not eligible for benefits. Hours may vary depending on operational needs and weather, and overtime may be required. The position will assist Field Crew Lead and Field Coordinator as part of a 4-5 person team conducting surveys of tree mortality and recovery. The position starts early June and will continue until the resurvey is completed, an estimated 6-8 weeks. Crew members will be expected to work 32-40 hours per week. Work hours are primarily Mondays through Friday from approximately 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Employees will be provided meal breaks and rest breaks in compliance with California law. We anticipate hiring three people for this position and potentially one person for a position with slightly fewer hours (192 hours).

Key Duties: Assess and record tree level data in established study areas and data entry. 

Essential Functions:

• Assess mortality, top kill, presence of basal and/or epicormic resprouting, and percent living canopy of all tagged woody individuals (~10,000) in 54 20x20m demography plots and 18 1-ha tree plots. The first few days of the position will include training on how to take these measurements.
• Enter and quality check raw data into Excel spread sheets.
• Track time using an online tracking system.

Essential Requirements:

• Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of General Education Development Test (GED)
• Ability to hike on uneven and steep terrain for full field days
• Ability to work in all field conditions, including potential exposure to inclement weather, sun, heat, poison oak, ticks, and rattlesnakes
• Good handwriting
• Data entry using Microsoft Excel or Google sheets
• Ability to work well in a team
• Comfortable driving full passenger vehicle and/or ATV on unpaved roads
• Must be eligible to drive Pepperwood Foundation vehicles under our insurance policy
• Must have a current CA driver’s license and must meet Pepperwood Foundation’s insurance driving eligibility requirements
• Ecological curiosity and enthusiasm!

Work environment: The position is field based at the preserve. Field work is often in remote locations of the preserve with limited vehicle access and cell phone reception. Field work involves managing hazards such as poison oak, ticks, rattlesnakes, and hiking offtrail on steep uneven terrain. Training and PPE will be provided.

Physical requirements: Ability to hike eight miles in varying terrain, ability to perform manual labor while managing hazards, visual capacity to use binoculars, GPS unit, and field tablet. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Compensation: $23.00/hour. 

About Pepperwood Foundation Pepperwood Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to advance science-based conservation throughout our region and beyond. Pepperwood owns and operates a 3,200-acre preserve in Sonoma County dedicated to ecological research and education. The Dwight Center for Conservation Science, a 9,400 square foot LEED-certified green building, provides the base for Pepperwood's program delivery. Pepperwood works with researchers from around the world to address challenges facing land and water managers today and translates results into educational tools and practical solutions for the community. Pepperwood is a place where science and community come together to solve today's most pressing environmental challenges and ensure that humanity thrives together with a vibrant natural world. Pepperwood Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.This job posting does not constitute a contract of employment. Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice.