Wildland Restoration Technician

TreePeople; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

TreePeople in Los Angeles is seeking a Restoration Technician to support forest health projects in local mountains. Responsibilities include invasive species removal, native plantings, plant propagation, site watering, and monitoring of insects and trees, with a focus on safety.

You will collaborate with the Wildland Restoration Foreperson and may assist in outreach and nursery activities. A strong interest in the environment and physical endurance for fieldwork are essential.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in field crew including habitat restoration, wildlife management, trail building, weed abatement, farming, etc.

Responsibilities

• Provide all aspects of labor for habitat restoration and forest health management, including invasive species removal and control, native seed application and container plant installation and maintenance, irrigation systems, and erosion control.
• Utilizing ArcGIS to survey and monitor various locations.
• Ensure safety as the top priority during all restoration activities and projects; promote a culture of safety.
• Assist in maintaining all program-relevant trucks, tools, and equipment.
• Participate in TreePeople’s outreach efforts as needed.
• Support TreePeople's nursery operations by seed collection and propagation activity.
• Represent TreePeople at meetings and other gatherings.

Skills

Field labor

ArcGIS

Plant identification

Public speaking

Spanish desirable

Tools

ArcGIS

Salesforce

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

GPS devices

Job description

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit organization that mobilizes individuals,families, communities, philanthropists, and public agencies to work together to create green, resilient communities by providing education on the benefits of planting trees, capturing the rainwater, greening schools, and providing fun environmental educational activities. TreePeople unites with communities to grow a greener, shadier and more water-secure region at homes, neighborhoods, schools and in the local mountains.

The Restoration Technician works directly with the Wildland Restoration Foreperson to support restoration, reforestation, and other forest health project needs in the local mountains or wildland areas under TreePeople’s Conservation Department. Tasks include invasive species removal, native plantings, plant propagation, restoration site watering maintenance, surveying/monitoring of insects or trees, and long‑term maintenance.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide all aspects of labor for habitat restoration and forest health management, including but not limited to nonnative invasive plant species removal and control (manual, mechanical, and chemical), native seed application and container plant installation and maintenance, construction and maintenance of temporary irrigation systems, and erosion control.

• Utilizing ArcGIS to survey and monitor various locations

• Ensure safety as the top priority during all restoration activities and projects; promote a ‘culture of safety’ with emphasis on adherence to TreePeople policies and procedures

• Assist in maintaining all program‑relevant trucks, tools, and equipment

SECONDARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in TreePeople’s outreach efforts as needed.

• Support TreePeople's nursery operations by participating in seed collection and treatment, as well as any propagation‑related activity.

• Represent TreePeople at meetings and other gatherings.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years of experience in field crew including but not limited to: habitat restoration, wildlife management, trail building, weed abatement, farming, etc.

• Ability to do physical labor for a full day, including loading and unloading heavy tools onto trucks, and hiking off‑trail on mountainsides.

• Residency near and/or strong familiarity with the local ranges of mountains, their ecosystems and the communities in the surrounding area.

• Sincere interest in the environment and the future of Southern California’s wilderness areas.

• Must exemplify safe work practices

• Proficiency in or a willingness to learn plant identification.

• Skills in public speaking and public engagement

• Attention to detail, precision and demonstrated ability to concentrate on tasks that deliver accurate results

• Experience with computer applications and database management systems including but not limited to ArcGIS, Salesforce, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and remote GPS devices.

• Highly organized, strong work ethic, friendly, smart, proactive and a quick learner.

• Valid CA Driver’s license and clean driving record desired to perform job‑related essential functions.

• Available to work a 4/10 schedule including some weekend days.

• Availability for occasional work travel.

• Spanish fluency is preferred.

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Work demands physical energy, twisting, safe heavy lifting ability, and hand‑to‑eye coordination.

• Uses machines, equipment, and work tools including but not limited to: shovels, rock bars,McLeod’s, pitch forks, general hand tools, lift gates, water tanks, fire hoses, weed whips, chainsaws, and augers.

• Must be comfortable working with herbicide regularly and adhere to all safety standards required.

• Must be able to repeatedly lift 50 pounds throughout a work day.

• Must be able to enter and exit a truck cab and bed numerous times a day.

• Ability to eventually hike 3-8 miles per day in terrain that can be steep, rocky or uneven, often while carrying tools.

• Must be able to withstand exposure to a variety of environmental conditions while completing work assignments including rain, heat, wind, snow, and varying levels of exposure.

• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.