SCI Botany Project Manager

About the role

SERVs for habitat restoration, rare plant surveys, and other botany-related projects on San Clemente Island (SCI), a Naval installation on the southernmost of California’s Channel Islands. The Project Manager will work closely with the SCI Program Coordinator on all aspects of the program, as well as communicate with US Navy Biologists.

Responsibilities

• Use principles of adaptive management to prioritize project tasks appropriately
• Adhere to project schedules as outlined in annual work plans
• Coordinate between SERG and other island users, including military and civilian employees
• Respond to requests for data from the US Navy or other island users
• Ensure safety of all crew members, including compliance with Navy practices associated with work on an active Naval base
• Organize, train, and oversee all crew members to balance completing project needs within a biologically relevant timeframe
• Aid in identifying future project sites
• Train field staff in data entry and management
• Manage a geodatabase and create biologically relevant maps as needed
• Write reports and prepare maps and figures for quarterly and annual reports
• Incorporate comments from senior staff and US Navy biologists
• Attend project kickoff meetings, site visits, SCI leads meetings, etc.
• Maintain vehicles, field equipment, and greenhouse and nursery areas, as well as computers, GPS units, and other office equipment
• Purchase and coordinate shipment of equipment and supplies
• Field Work 40%
• Monitor rare plant populations
• Monitor vegetation cover
• Install, maintain, and monitor native species outplantings
• Remove/control non-native plant species manually, mechanically, and chemically
• Collect native plant propagules
• Propagate native plants
• Use GPS in the field and GIS software
• Other Duties and Responsibilities as assigned 5%

Qualifications

• General Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, sponsors, and other contractors
• Understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Relate well to others within the project environment
• Display motivation and strong interpersonal skills
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Display organization, meet deadlines, display detail orientation, and possess good judgment and common sense
• Demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and ability to drive 4-wheel-drive vehicles
• Pass a background check to obtain clearance for military base access
• Repeatably lift loads of up to 45 lbs throughout the workday and to safely navigate and work off-trail on steep, rocky, cactus-covered terrain
• Safety-minded

Field

• Rare plant survey experience
• Vegetation monitoring experience
• Experience with herbicide and willingness to apply it
• Skilled in plant identification
• Knowledge of Southern California flora (Channel Islands preferred), 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 become certified within 6 months of hiring

Office and Management

• Excellent writing skills with experience writing scientific progress reports
• Demonstrated organizational skills to manage multiple, concurrent, high-priority project tasks
• Detail-oriented and able to maintain and improve on established databases
• People management experience
• ArcGIS Pro experience or ability to learn and become proficient

Preferred Qualifications and Special Skills

• Master’s degree in botany, ecology, biology, or related discipline
• Endangered plant survey experience
• Experience managing invasive plant species
• Experience with installation and maintenance of native outplantings
• Greenhouse propagation and pest management experience
• Experience creating and improving database organization
• Experience working in a remote field site
• Experience hiring and managing staff
• Experience maintaining and repairing small engines and motor vehicles

Additional Applicant Information

Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire. Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).

SDSU Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law. Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.

SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.