Sci Botany Project Manager

Kate on Conservation; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

SERG seeks a Project Manager for habitat restoration on San Clemente Island, a U.S. Navy installation off California's Channel Islands. The role focuses on botany projects and coordinating with Navy biologists.

This is a full-time, on-site position on the island with a 10-on/4-off schedule. Compensation is $27.73 per hour plus full benefits; housing is provided while on the island.

Qualifications

• Experience with rare plant surveys and vegetation monitoring.
• Knowledge of Southern California flora, preferably Channel Islands.
• Experience with herbicide and willingness to apply it.
• ArcGIS Pro experience or ability to learn.

Responsibilities

• Project management (55%): Apply adaptive management principles; prioritize tasks and follow annual work plans and schedules.
• Coordinate between SERG and island users, including military and civilian employees; respond to data requests from Navy and others.
• Ensure crew safety and compliance with Navy practices; train and supervise crew members.
• Help identify future project sites; train field staff in data entry and management.
• Manage a geodatabase and create maps; write reports and prepare figures for quarterly/annual reports.
• Attend project kickoff meetings, site visits, and SCI leads meetings.
• Maintain vehicles, field equipment, greenhouse and nursery areas, computers, GPS units, and other office equipment; purchase and coordinate shipment of supplies.
• Field work (40%): Monitor rare plants and vegetation cover; install, maintain, and monitor native species outplantings.
• Remove or control non-native plants; collect propagules and propagate native plants.
• Use GPS and GIS software in the field.
• Other duties (5%): Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Plant identification

ArcGIS Pro

4x4 driving

Data management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

Project Manager for Habitat Restoration

SERG seeks a Project Manager for habitat restoration, rare plant surveys, and other botany-related projects on San Clemente Island, a U.S. Navy installation in California’s Channel Islands. The Project Manager will work closely with the SCI Program Coordinator and communicate with U.S. Navy biologists.

This is a full-time, hourly position starting December 15, 2026, with some flexibility in the start date. Compensation is $27.73 per hour plus a full benefits package. Housing is provided while working on the island, but not during the four-day off-island weekends. The schedule is 10 days working on-island followed by four days off-island. Transportation to and from the island is provided from the San Diego area by a twin-engine, 19-seat plane. Relocation benefits are not offered.

All work takes place on San Clemente Island, an active Navy training site. The island supports a unique flora, including two federally listed plants, 18 plants found nowhere else in the world, and 26 additional plants known only from islands off southern California or Baja. Applicants should be comfortable living in a small, remote community and maintaining a professional, positive attitude. The role includes strenuous outdoor work in all weather, heavy lifting, hiking on rugged terrain, and office duties such as writing technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Project management (55%): Apply adaptive management principles; prioritize tasks and follow annual work plans and schedules.
• Coordinate between SERG and island users, including military and civilian employees, and respond to data requests from the U.S. Navy and others.
• Ensure crew safety and compliance with Navy practices; organize, train, and oversee crew members.
• Help identify future project sites; train field staff in data entry and management.
• Manage a geodatabase and create maps; write reports and prepare maps and figures for quarterly and annual reports; incorporate feedback from senior staff and Navy biologists.
• Attend project kickoff meetings, site visits, and SCI leads meetings.
• Maintain vehicles, field equipment, greenhouse and nursery areas, computers, GPS units, and other office equipment; purchase and coordinate shipment of supplies.
• Field work (40%): Monitor rare plant populations and vegetation cover; install, maintain, and monitor native species outplantings.
• Manually, mechanically, and chemically remove or control non-native plants; collect native plant propagules and propagate native plants.
• Use GPS in the field and GIS software.
• Other duties (5%): Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university.
• At least one year of experience in technical research or statistical work.
• Ability to interact effectively with coworkers, sponsors, and contractors; follow work rules and procedures; communicate effectively orally and in writing; stay organized, meet deadlines, and exercise good judgment.
• Motivation, strong interpersonal skills, cross-cultural sensitivity, and a safety-minded approach.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and ability to drive four-wheel-drive vehicles.
• Ability to pass a background check for military base access; repeatedly lift up to 45 pounds and safely navigate steep, rocky, cactus-covered terrain off trail.

Field qualifications

• Experience with rare plant surveys and vegetation monitoring; skilled in plant identification.
• Experience with herbicide and willingness to apply it.
• Knowledge of Southern California flora, preferably the Channel Islands, especially coastal sage scrub, chaparral, canyon woodland, and dune ecosystems.
• Experience safely operating and maintaining mechanical equipment, hand tools, and herbicide application equipment.
• Valid California Qualified Applicator Certificate, or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.

Office and management qualifications

• Excellent writing skills and experience preparing scientific progress reports.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple concurrent, high-priority tasks; attention to detail and ability to maintain and improve databases.
• People management experience.
• ArcGIS Pro experience or ability to learn and become proficient.