The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Yosemite National Park is recruiting four (4) Invasive Plant Management Technicians to support vegetation management throughout the park. In addition to using mechanical and chemical methods for invasive plant treatment, responsibilities of these positions also include volunteer management, seed collection and processing, and rare plant survey and protection. The work is a mix of front-country and off-trail work in a wildland setting and may include travel outside the park to neighboring public lands and other National Parks. The primary projects these positions will support include: Yosemite Valley restoration projects, Washburn Fire and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias post-fire rehabilitation.               

This work will take technicians to many places throughout this spectacular National Park. The foothills are lovely in the spring with amazing flower displays carpeting the hills. Higher in elevation, work will be conducted in montane meadows including in Yosemite Valley under Half Dome and El Capitan. Project work will also take place in old growth giant sequoia groves, montane forests, and subalpine ecosystems under snow-covered peaks in Tuolumne Meadows. 

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 backpacks, truck mounted sprayers, and hand tools including shovels, rakes, loppers, pruners, etc.

Timeline:

• August 25th, 2025 - December 4th, 2025, 15 weeks;
• 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: $20.50 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 be provided to the selected participant at additional costs.

Per diem: Camping per diem provided per night in the field, not to exceed $588.

Qualifications:

Required:

• B.S. in natural resource management, plant ecology, conservation biology, or allied 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 managing invasive plants;
• Experience in seed collection and management, and familiarity with the use of native plant material in restoration;
• Experience in performing field work and an ability to follow directions for data collection;
• Experience in data entry and management, utilizing Excel, Access, and/or ArcGIS;
• Ability to contribute to safe work and living cultures;
• Experience with using handheld GPS and data collection devices and apps such as Collector, Field Maps, Survey123, etc.;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, to a diverse audience;
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;
• 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.