Job Announcement 

Seasonal Restoration Crew Member 

(Full-time, Temporary, Non-exempt Position)  

January 2025 

The Santa Lucia Conservancy (Conservancy) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit land trust incorporated in 1995 to steward and protect the ecological integrity of the Santa Lucia Preserve (Preserve) within the Santa Lucia Mountain Range in Carmel, California. We are dedicated to advancing the art and science of conservation-compatible development through adaptive land management, conservation easement stewardship, ecological research, and environmental education programs. 

The Conservancy actively manages 18,000 acres of contiguous lands within the 20,000-acre Santa Lucia Preserve to protect and enhance their extraordinary ecological values. 

Approximately 10,000 acres, 50%, are owned by The Conservancy and approximately 8,000 acres, 40%, are owned by individual landowners and managed through conservation easements held by the Conservancy. 

The Conservancy works with a variety of academic and environmental partners to conduct and promote land management and ecological research to increase our understanding of the interactions between human communities and the natural environment. 

The Conservancy is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the U.S. 

Position Summary 

Under the direction of the Restoration Associate and Restoration Manager, the Seasonal Restoration Crew Member is a highly physical, field-based position responsible for performing duties related to invasive species management, invasive species mapping, restoration projects, and supporting land management activities and surveying for the Ecological Management Department as needed. 

Hours/Dates: Monday – Thursday 7:00 am – 5:30 pm, March 3, 2025 – October 30, 2025 (weather permitting), Must be available to commit to a full 35 week period. In the case of extreme weather, there may not be work available for all or part of the day. 

Duties are broken down as shown below and include but are not limited to: Implementation of Restoration Program (85%) 

Under the leadership of the Restoration Associate, execute habitat management in grasslands, oak woodlands, redwood forests, ponds, chaparral and riparian zones. 

• Assist with habitat-scale restoration projects throughout The Preserve. 
• Perform invasive species management practices through a variety of manual, mechanical and herbicide techniques. 
• Use hand tools, mowers, chainsaws, UTV herbicide sprayer and backpack herbicide sprayers. 
• Participate in pile burning and prescribed burns. 
• Map invasive species populations and treatments. 
• Load, haul, and maintain tools, materials, and equipment. 
• Maintain a safe and secure work environment. 

Cross-Train with Ecological Management Department (10%) 

• Support Conservation Grazing program including building exclusionary cattle fencing and helping move cattle to new pastures. 
• Support Conservation Ecologist in biological monitoring including surveying sensitive species and entering data. 

Administrative Duties (5%) 

• Mapping and accurate recordkeeping of herbicide tools, records, and treatments 
• Staff and departmental meetings 
• Other team activities 

Other 

• Respectful interactions with landowners and Preserve staff 
• Supporting other Conservancy staff in field-related duties as time permits 
• Other duties as assigned 

Essential Qualifications 

• Follow directions accurately, timely and completely with minimal supervision 
• Safe and responsible conduct in field and office environments, including use of vehicle and power equipment such as: chainsaws, herbicide sprayer, hooking up and towing a trailer, loading heavy equipment etc. 
• Competency in field-based data collection/mapping with aptitude for learning new systems, software and technologies 
• Must hold, or be able to acquire within 30 days, a valid California driver’s license with a clean record 
• Must be able to safely lift and carry at least 40lbs. 

Working Conditions/Physical Effort 

This position demands highly physical work and/or adverse working conditions in remote locations. Extensive walking in uneven terrain required. Fluent spoken and written English required. Vehicles provided while on the job site only. 

Compensation 

This is a non-exempt (hourly) position with compensation of $22/hour.