2026 STRAW Restoration Field Technician (South Bay)

Campbell, CA

Full Time

Entry Level

STRAW Restoration Field Technician (South Bay) at Point Blue Conservation Science

Location: Will report to STRAW South Bay headquarters in Campbell, CA and drive work trucks to various project field sites located in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Hollister, and San Francisco with occasional work in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. This is a field-based position, remote work is possible but likely very limited and not to be expected.

Position Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Anticipated Duration: June 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027

Deadline to Apply: Thursday, April 30th, 2026

Compensation and Benefits: $26.45/hour. Point Blue provides a comprehensive benefit package including employer paid medical and dental for staff and 75% for dependents. Other benefits include life insurance, long- and short-term disability, flexible spending accounts, and retirement plans as well as time off benefits.

About Point Blue:

Point Blue Conservation Science is a growing and internationally renowned non-profit with over 160 staff and scientists based in Petaluma, California. Founded in 1965 as Point Reyes Bird Observatory, our mission and programs have evolved over time to include a broad range of conservation activity, from restoration to environmental education to innovative work in the field of regenerative agriculture. We have a proven track record of scientific excellence.

We are committed to removing barriers based on racial, gender, cultural, and other factors and believe that equal representation is essential to the success of Point Blue’s mission and vision. We seek and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to join our teams.

Job Summary:

STRAW Restoration Technician

The Restoration Technician (RT) works closely with STRAW Staff, volunteers, Educators, Apprentices and program staff to implement and maintain community-based ecological restoration projects. The RT may lead the field work of Technicians, Apprentices and volunteers and will teach lessons and operate various equipment.

Essential Functions:

Restoration Technician

Restoration Support: 85-90%

Assist with planning and implementing restoration projects, and non-native plant management including ordering and staging restoration supplies, preparing field sites, and communicating and coordinating with teachers and project partners.
Participate in physically demanding field work such as working on steep hillsides, carrying restoration equipment such as shovels, rock bars, and supply bins, loading and unloading vehicles, etc.
Assist with planning and coordinating restoration site maintenance during spring and summer, including assessing site requirements and plant health in the field, installing drip irrigation, weeding, and tracking and recording maintenance activities.
Assist native plant nursery maintenance and operations in multiple locations, including but not limited to: seed collection, processing, germination, propagation and integrated pest management.
Follow Best Management Practices for nursery propagation and field operations to prevent and test for Phytophthora.
Communicate effectively with a dynamic team including collaborating with education staff, leading interns, volunteers and apprentices with instruction from Project Managers.
Drive vehicles owned by Point Blue (e.g. trucks, tow trailers, all terrain vehicles) from Point Blue office and/or storage facilities to project sites and drive a vehicle to tow a water trailer to water plants in the field.
Operate mechanical tools and equipment such as weed whackers, ride on mowers, utility vehicles and small engines.
Observe safe work methods and appropriate use of related safety equipment.
Mapping in the field for plants and monitoring.
Assist with water management such as moving weir boards and adjusting tide gates.
Track details like restoration supplies and tools, maintain accurate logs including data collection and entry, photo-monitoring, and report writing.
Oversee vehicle, storage facility, and tool logistics.
Mentor, lead and provide technical direction to a crew of interns, apprentices, and technicians including leading field work and coordinating with Project Managers to plan daily tasks and supplies needed.
Lead volunteers including school groups, conservation corps crews, and other volunteers in the field in community restoration activities, including demonstrating proper planting and tool techniques, while ensuring the safety of all participants and a high quality of work.

Education Support: 5-15%

Attend and help lead days with students, adult chaperones, and teachers throughout the Bay Area.
Build relationships with STRAW teachers, aid them with resources, ideas, and check-ins.
Assist with planning and logistics for teacher training events including the annual Watershed Week.
Support with in-classroom pre-restoration education lessons and provide feedback on lesson plan activities.

Other Duties as Assigned: 2%

Perform other duties, projects and research as assigned.
Attend meetings and build relationships with local project partnerships and support restoration and outreach efforts.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Familiar with ecological restoration work, including physically demanding field work.
Adept at teaching and engaging with K-12 students and other public audiences.
Desire to acquire knowledge of ecosystem processes, terminology, scientific research methods and techniques involved in ecosystem conservation and management.
Openness to feedback, sharing knowledge and skills, and hearing new perspectives.
A strong sense of self awareness and the willingness to engage in reflective practice.
Strengths in problem solving and troubleshooting challenges.
Work respectfully on private and public property.
Work in both a team setting and individually.
Lead small teams of people in the field.
Listen carefully and execute detailed instructions.
Familiar with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, including spreadsheets, word processing, and email applications.
Communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
Practice self awareness and respect while engaging with people of all backgrounds and ages.

Certifications and/or Licenses:

Valid US driver’s license (4 year minimum desired) with favorable driving history to drive company owned vehicles.
Approved background check and fingerprinting to work with students.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Any combination of education, experience and training that is equivalent to a minimum of 1-2 years of experience including, but not limited to:

natural resource management, habitat restoration, natural sciences, horticulture, biology, ecology, restoration, botany, agronomy, agriculture, wildlife management, small engine repair, mechanics, engineering, hydrology, irrigation, landscaping, traditional ecological knowledge or related work.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

The position is based out of a facility located in Campbell, California.
This position operates at remote field locations with uneven terrain, limited vehicle access, limited cell phone reception, and sometimes in a solitary capacity.
Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions such as rain, heat, wind, and cold temperatures.
Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, walk and perform other physical activities.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and complete strenuous physical tasks.

Position Type, Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:

This position is full time, non-exempt.
The schedule will vary according to the season but generally it is 8 hours per day, Monday - Friday, with some overtime and weekend work possible.
Occasional travel and overnight stays may be required for this position. Advanced notice will be given.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and do not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.

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Skillset Questions:

Instructions:
We recognize that submitting applications is an investment of your time, and we believe one way to honor your time is to be transparent about our selection process. We want to set you up for success, both in the application process and your potential future job with Point Blue Conservation Science’s STRAW Program.

In the past we’ve received many questions about what is a relevant experience to be the most competitive applicant. In the form below, we ask for your experience with a certain skill. For each skill, we have provided reasoning for how that skill is utilized in STRAW’s work. Please answer each question with any specific experience that you may lend to this position. Just as important, please be sure to share any experiences that you think may be remotely relevant to this position as skills developed in other work and life settings can be applicable.

A couple points as you consider your experience:

1. Our STRAW team is excited to provide thorough training to make sure the Restoration Technician (RT) feels prepared for specific work tasks, as well as meeting with their supervisors on a weekly basis for further support.

2. The Restoration Technician (RT) will acquire knowledge to complete work tasks through on-the-job training so driven individuals do not need to come with all of the desired skills and work history.

Skill #1: Experience in ecological restoration work/plants.

Habitat restoration is a key component of the STRAW program, and an RT will be responsible to support the implementation of restoration projects. Comfort identifying plants and familiarity with habitat restoration techniques is preferred.

What experience do you have for this skill?*

Skill #2: Outdoor and physical work experience and enthusiasm.

Habitat restoration work is physically demanding and it is often conducted on uneven terrain with increased exposure to the elements throughout different seasons (i.e. cold, wet, high heat). The success of restoration projects is dependent on on-the-ground care that our team provides during implementation and follow-up maintenance. A desirable qualification is experience and/or enthusiasm for being outdoors the majority of a work day.

What experience do you have for this skill?*

Skill #3: Experience and/or enthusiasm for teaching or engaging K-12 students, public.

STRAW works with diverse age audiences and people. The RT will be expected to facilitate learning and provide training to students and community members participating on restoration planting days. The RT will foster in participants enthusiasm for a healthy watershed and a sense of agency to create a positive impact on the environment and their community.

What experiences do you have for this skill?*

Skill #4: Knowledge of ecosystem processes, terminology, techniques for ecosystem conservation and management.

Environmental science is a cornerstone of restoration; having a shared language about basic ecosystem processes can be transferable to specifics of restoration science. At STRAW, we acknowledge that a learner’s mindset can leverage different experiences such as farming, landscaping, gardening, environmental educator/interpretation to implement our community restoration work.

What experiences do you have for this skill?*

Skill #5: Experience working on a team.

STRAW's workflow changes seasonally to meet our different restoration and education needs. Work plans may need to shift (even throughout a week) to meet team workflow priorities. It is a shared STRAW expectation to have a solution-oriented mindset. STRAW defines a solution-oriented mindset as:

- Ability to show discernment if you should lead or support the completion of a task with a self-awareness of individual strengths and work capacity.
-Ability to collaborate in team brainstorming sessions whether in planning meetings or in the field.

What experiences do you have for this skill?*

Skill #6: Experience leading/training/supervising people in the field.

STRAW restoration projects are community-based efforts. Community members include students, teachers, adult volunteers, external partners from other non-profit organizations to government organizations, private landowners, and more. An RT will have the ability to assess each group’s learning needs to prepare participants to conduct restoration work in a professional and safe manner. The role of a RT is not only to communicate restoration goals, but also to create a meaningful experience for participants as they positively impact their environment and their communities.

What experiences do you have for this skill?*

Skill #7: Experience with self-initiative and anticipating work site needs.

Again, STRAW’s workflow changes seasonally and weekly to meet restoration and education needs. During the academic school year we work with students and volunteers frequently, and during the summer maintenance season we work with volunteers less often. In all seasons, work may include multiple days working alone/independently, and other days working with community groups. A desirable quality is someone who is a self-starter and is able to anticipate the tasks that need to be completed for project success.

What experiences do you have for this skill?*

Skill #8: Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Suite, including spreadsheets and word applications and email.

STRAW’s communication and data collection of restoration sites and education needs are organized through Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and Google Suite (Docs, Sheets). The RT will be using these tools to communicate with the team. A thorough orientation of existing documents and organization processes will be given beforehand to support the success of all team members’ communication.

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2026 STRAW Restoration Field Technician (South Bay)

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