Seasonal Natural Resources Technician I

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 65,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Job summary

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority seeks a Seasonal Natural Resources Technician to support vegetation management, restoration, and monitoring across its preserve network. You will work with grazers, implement invasive controls under QAC guidance, and conduct flora and fauna monitoring.

This role requires outdoor work in rugged terrain, early mornings and weekends. The position begins January 2027 with up to 1,000 hours, offering a collaborative, mission-driven environment and

Qualifications

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12 th ) grade or some college-level coursework in park maintenance, resources management, or related field.
• Proficiency in identifying local flora and fauna and experience performing habitat quality assessments.
• Strong data entry skills and experience with wildlife and vegetation survey techniques.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and a clean driving record. Experience with off-road driving is a bonus.
• Knowledge of tools such as CalFlora and ArcGIS programs for field data collection and mapping
• Additional experience with the Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the Authority’s integrated pest management work and vegetation management.
• Complete active monitoring of flora and fauna and assist with restoration projects including routine maintenance of plants, irrigation, and weed abatement.
• Assist with Land Steward volunteer events engaging with the public in restoration projects.
• Work outdoors in rugged terrain, early mornings and nights, including weekends.

Skills

Flora & fauna ID

Habitat quality assessments

Data entry

Survey techniques

Driver's license

Off-road driving (bonus)

Education

High school diploma or equivalent / some college (park maintenance, resource mgmt, or related)

Tools

CalFlora

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Adobe Suite

Job description

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority seeks a Seasonal Natural Resources Technician to assist our agency in our Natural Resource protection and stewardship work.

Our mission is to conserve the natural environment, support agriculture, and connect people to nature by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches for future generations. Since 1993 the Open Space Authority has protected thousands of acres of natural and working lands across the Santa Clara Valley. Our agency manages and conserves a network of open space lands and natural resources, while providing compatible opportunities for hiking, biking, and equestrian uses, with a focus on increasing equity of access to the outdoors for all our constituents.

We know our continued success depends on our employees and the work they do. We are committed to providing a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages growth and development; and acknowledges individual and team achievements.

The Ideal Candidate

As a member of the Natural Resources department, you will be an integral part of the Authority’s work to enhance our natural habitats within the Authority’s preserve network and partner agency’s landscapes that we help to protect.

You will support the implementation of the Authority’s integrated pest management work. Your activities will focus on vegetation management, from working with grazers to implementing invasive controls under guidance from the Authority’s Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) holders. You will also complete active monitoring of flora and fauna.

You will support the implementation and monitoring of restoration projects including routine maintenance of plants, irrigation, and weed abatement at restoration sites. The Seasonal Natural Resource Technician will also assist with Land Steward volunteer events where they will engage with members of the public in restoration projects.

You are a patient and observant planner, skilled at combining different tools to achieve desired results, and deeply mindful of how actions impact ecosystems. Persons in this position may be required to work alone, work early mornings and nights, in the dark and all weekends. This position requires the willingness and ability to work outdoors in rugged terrain, walk over rough, hilly, uneven or unpaved ground and with exposure to natural elements. We offer an excellent opportunity to make a difference and work with a mission driven workforce.

This person is expected to work 32-40 hours per week. As a seasonal position there are a maximum of 1,000 hours available. This position is expected to begin in January 2027.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12 th ) grade or some college-level coursework in park maintenance, resources management, or related field.
• Proficiency in identifying local flora and fauna and experience performing habitat quality assessments.
• Strong data entry skills and experience with wildlife and vegetation survey techniques.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and a clean driving record. Experience with off-road driving is a bonus.
• Knowledge of tools such as CalFlora and ArcGIS programs for field data collection and mapping
• Additional experience with the Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite.

Note: This position is required to take and pass a pre-employment background check.

If you are excited by the opportunities and challenges offered in this position, we encourage you to apply, even if

your experience is non-typical or if you are not sure you meet every one of the qualifications described.

The salary range for this full-time, non-exempt position is $40.46 hourly. Paid sick leave is also provided in accordance with California requirements. As seasonal positions, these positions are not eligible for other benefits.

The staff of the Open Space Authority are passionate about conservation and driven to make an impact in the community through their work. Everyone brings a unique skillset to their role and the creative collaboration of all staff maximizes talent to realize the Authority's mission. We have established values and defined supporting behaviors that are shared and demonstrated by every employee at the Authority. Together all of these reflect the culture that makes the Authority the high performing agency that it is. We are Intentional, Respectful, Accountable, Empowering, Innovative, Collaborative, and Inclusive. You can learn more about the staff of the Authority and how everyone works together on our website here .

The Open Space Authority envisions the Santa Clara Valley as a region dense with beautiful natural areas, where a vibrant network of interconnected open spaces, trails, wildlife habitats, and thriving agricultural lands enrich our communities. Learn more about how the Authority tackles these goals .

The Authority values Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access in our work to preserve the natural environment, support agriculture, and connect people to nature:

• Accessible, Collaborative, and Accountableprocesses to engage the diverse communities we serve in our programs, projects, careers, and governance opportunities.
• Respectfor the land and all people in our community.
• We are Inclusiveand acknowledge current and historic land stewards.
• We Empowerfuture generations of conservation leaders.

The Authority is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are earnest in our efforts to comply with all state and federal laws providing Equal Employment Opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or physical disability. We are committed to creating a safe environment where people are treated with respect and appreciated for their unique differences, where issues are promptly raised and resolved and where communication flows across all levels of the agency.

Attachments (2)

Seasonal NR Technician -- ADP Job Announcement.pdf