Seed Bank Technician I or II

Full-Time, Grant-Funded Term Position — Approximately 9 Months

Join us in protecting the Mojave Desert

Mojave Desert Land Trust is a nonprofit organization on a mission to protect the California deserts as a living, interconnected landscape where people and nature thrive together. Our vision for the California desert includes dark night skies, clean air and water, broad views and vistas, and an abundance of native plants and animals. Since 2006, we’ve secured permanent protection for more than 125,000 acres.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Seed Bank Technician I or II to support the Mojave Desert Seed Bank through seed scouting, collection, processing, testing, propagation, data entry, and related field and nursery work. This is a hands-on position for someone who enjoys working outdoors, is interested in native plants, and wants to contribute directly to desert plant conservation.

This position may be filled at the level of Technician I or Technician II, depending on the selected candidate’s experience, skills, and ability to work independently. This is a full-time, grant-funded term position expected to last approximately nine months.

About the role

The Seed Bank Technician assists with the day-to-day operations of the Mojave Desert Seed Bank, with an emphasis on seed scouting, seed collection, seed processing, seed testing, data collection, and propagation support. The Technician works alongside seed program staff, nursery staff, field staff, and volunteers to help collect and process native seeds from MDLT properties and other lands within MDLT’s service area.

This is a highly field-based position that requires frequent travel throughout the Mojave and Colorado Deserts and regular overnight primitive camping in remote areas during the spring and summer field season. Technicians should be comfortable working long field days, hiking on uneven terrain, adapting to changing weather and field conditions, and camping in remote desert locations for seed scouting and collection work.

A Technician I is expected to have foundational field experience and will receive more guidance, training, and support while learning MDLT’s seed collection protocols, data systems, plant identification expectations, and field procedures.

A Technician II is expected to bring stronger field experience, more advanced plant identification skills, greater familiarity with field data collection and/or ArcGIS tools, and the ability to complete assigned work with limited day-to-day guidance and supervision. Technician II may also help lead field teams consisting of technicians and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day seed bank operations, including seed scouting, collection, processing, testing, germination, propagation, and data entry.
• Conduct seed and herbarium collections on lands owned, managed, or monitored by MDLT under the supervision of seed program staff.
• Follow MDLT seed collection and processing protocols.
• Collect and enter field data for seed and herbarium collections.
• Assist with processing seed orders and maintaining accurate records.
• Work with staff and volunteers on seed collection, processing, propagation, and related activities.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment in field, lab, nursery, and office settings.
• Interact professionally with private landowners, public agencies, conservation partners, volunteers, and members of the public.
• Assist in the nursery and with annual plant sales, as needed.
• Represent MDLT professionally at events and meetings.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned in support of the Plant Conservation department.

Additional responsibilities for Technician II may include:

• Completing assigned field, lab, and data tasks with limited guidance and supervision.
• Supporting collection planning and field decision-making based on plant identification, phenology, field conditions, and project priorities.
• Helping lead field teams of technicians and volunteers.
• Supporting quality control of field data and collection records.
• Using ArcGIS, Field Maps, or related tools to support field data collection, navigation, mapping, and reporting.

Required Education/Experience/Qualifications

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the knowledge and abilities to perform the position is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would include the following:

Technician I

• One year of work experience in an outdoor setting, such as agriculture, natural resource management, conservation, restoration, horticulture, or a similar field.
• Experience working with or identifying California native plants is preferred.
• Experience with seed collection, plant monitoring, nursery work, propagation, restoration, or field data collection is helpful but not required.
• Willingness and ability to learn MDLT’s seed collection protocols, field data systems, and plant identification expectations.

Technician II

In addition to meeting the general qualifications above, Technician II candidates should demonstrate:

• Stronger field experience in seed collection, plant monitoring, restoration, natural resources, botany, horticulture, or a related field.
• Stronger knowledge of California native plant identification, including familiarity with scientific names and diagnostic traits.
• Ability to complete assigned field, lab, and data tasks with limited day-to-day guidance and supervision.
• Experience using ArcGIS, Field Maps, or similar mapping/data collection tools is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading volunteers, field crews, or small teams is preferred.
• Experience safely operating 4WD vehicles in a variety of terrains is preferred.

Education and/or Training

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, botany, environmental science, natural resources, ecology, or a related field is preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration

• Must possess and maintain in good standing a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will bring strong attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work safely and collaboratively in field, nursery, lab, and office settings. Important knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Ability to work long days and/or multiple days in the field during spring and summer months.
• Ability and willingness to camp in remote and primitive areas for multiple days.
• Comfort working in remote desert environments with limited services or amenities.
• Interest in and knowledge of California native plant species; knowledge of scientific names and diagnostic traits preferred, and expected at a stronger level for Technician II.
• Ability to keep and maintain detailed records.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, partners, and the public.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision while using good judgment about when to seek guidance.
• Excellent judgment with respect to maintaining a safe work environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS, Field Maps, or similar mapping/data collection tools preferred, and strongly preferred for Technician II.
• Respect for people, land, natural resources, and equipment.

Work Environment/Work Schedule

This is a full-time, grant-funded term position expected to last approximately nine months. The position is based at MDLT headquarters in Joshua Tree, California.

The position is normally scheduled to work a 9/80 schedule, which allows employees to work 80 hours over a two-week period with an extended weekend every other week. Some evening, weekend, and overtime work may be required based on field conditions, collection timing, weather, travel needs, events, or plant sales.

This is a field-forward position requiring frequent travel throughout MDLT’s service area in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts using MDLT vehicles. Frequent overnight primitive camping is required during the spring and summer months to conduct seed scouting and collection activities. Technicians should expect to be in the field for much of the field season, including regular overnight camping in remote areas, often at least one night per week during active field periods.

The role also includes work in office, lab, nursery, and field settings.

Physical and Mental Demands

Subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the position requires the ability to:

• Frequently carry, push, pull, reach, and lift objects up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.
• Work outdoors in desert conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, uneven terrain, and remote field settings.
• Camp overnight in remote and primitive field conditions for seed scouting and collection activities.
• Be physically active for long periods, including hiking and scrambling on uneven terrain.
• Use digital navigation, mapping tools, and field data collection equipment.
• Perform detailed seed cleaning, seed processing, propagation, and laboratory tasks.
• Use visual acuity, manual dexterity, and attention to detail to complete careful seed work and adjust sensitive lab equipment.
• Use pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemical substances, as needed.
• Regularly operate MDLT vehicles.
• Work in office, lab, and nursery environments with some exposure to dust, dirt, and hazardous materials.
• Use office equipment, computers, keyboards, copiers, and monitors for extended periods.
• Communicate effectively with MDLT management, co-workers, volunteers, vendors, partners, and the public.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay will be based on experience, qualifications, and placement at the Technician I or Technician II level.

• Seed Bank Technician I: $20.51 to $21.76 per hour
• Seed Bank Technician II: $21.76 to $23.77 per hour

This is a full-time, grant-funded term position expected to last approximately nine months. During the term of employment, eligible employees receive MDLT’s full-time employee benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance benefits.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, personal time, sick time, and paid Winter Break between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Cell phone stipend.
• Flexible Savings Account for eligible medical expenses.
• Dependent Care Savings Account for eligible childcare expenses.

Why work with us?

At MDLT, we are a passionate, mission-driven team committed to protecting the desert. We believe that a diverse, inclusive workplace leads to stronger ideas and better outcomes. If you are looking to make a real impact in conservation and thrive in a collaborative, supportive environment, this is the place for you.

Our Values

At MDLT, our work is guided by four shared values:

• Solve for the Desert — We pursue work that creates tangible, lasting conservation impact.
• Foster Trust — We center people and partnerships and value diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Dig Deep — We meet hard problems with grit, integrity, and determination.
• Seek Joy — We approach our work with curiosity, gratitude, and hope.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Mojave Desert Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities, landscapes, and partners connected to our mission. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.