The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Joshua Tree National Park, is recruiting one (1) vegetation specialist to participate in vegetation monitoring and planning for fire preparedness alongside park staff. 

Joshua Tree National Park’s vegetation management and fire management programs are gold standard science-based programs that utilize on-the-ground biological data to inform active management before, during, and after wildfires. These actions include fuels reduction, invasive plant management, pre-planning of access routes and firelines, resource advising, and post-fire restoration. JTNP’s vegetation monitoring program includes shrub and tree monitoring, spring annual wildflower monitoring in 25 plots across the park in both burned and unburned areas, restoration effectiveness monitoring, and rare plant monitoring for six species. 

The vegetation specialist will serve as the field lead for vegetation monitoring programs in the park intended to inform fire management and preparedness. They will create data products and compile results from field work and assist in the development of fire and vegetation management plans.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead data collection for annual wildflower monitoring programs at 25 or more remote sites across JTNP in burned and unburned areas;
• Identify Mojave and Colorado Desert plants to the species level or below using dichotomous keys;
• Assist with rare plant monitoring and restoration effectiveness monitoring protocols;
• Provide field leadership and supervision to two vegetation monitoring interns;
• Follow rigorous scientific protocols for data collection across all projects;
• Oversee data entry and quality control for all projects;
• Assist with the development of a rare plant management plan including planned fire response in sensitive areas;
• Write reports and assist with development of fire management and vegetation management plans; and
• Assist as needed with planning and implementation for invasive plant management, restoration, and fuels reduction programs.

Timeline:

• Jan 25, 2026 - June 28, 2026; 22 weeks; *Earlier start may be possible.
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: Mon - Thurs 10 hour days with flexible schedule.

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. 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: $26.50 hourly;

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: Will not be provided and the selected participant will be expected to procure housing on their own.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelors degree or higher in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science or a related field, or equivalent experience;
• Experience in identifying Mojave and/or Colorado Desert plants to the species level using dichotomous keys, or similar botanical experience in a related system;
• Experience working in an adverse field environment to accomplish physical tasks, alone or as a member of a team;
• Experience following rigorous scientific protocols including data collection, management, and quality checking;
• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record; and
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to [AGENCY] human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.

Preferred: 

• Experience serving as a leader of a field crew including planning, scheduling, and execution of projects and training new team members; and
• Experience operating a 4WD vehicle in remote settings and on rugged terrain including ability to self-rescue.

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.

Field duties (approximately 50%): On field days, the employee is regularly required to hike up to 10 miles per day carrying a pack and field gear, often in adverse conditions (eg. hot temperatures, windy conditions, steep and rocky terrain). Plant identification often requires the ability to visually distinguish minute details with the aid of magnification. Monitoring protocols require the ability to sit, crouch, use hands, stand, walk, and bend.

Data management and office tasks (approximately 50%): Office tasks have lower physical requirements and are usually sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. Specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the office environment is usually low. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.