Project Assistant
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Position Overview
Application opens May 12, 2025 and is open until filled. Are you looking to be a part of a team that tackles a variety of environmental and conservation projects across the natural and working lands in the Yolo County area? Come work with Yolo County Resource Conservation District (RCD)! The Yolo County RCD is seeking applications for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Project Assistant to implement restoration and conservation activities on public and private lands. ABOUT US Located in Woodland, CA the Yolo County RCD is a special district of the State of California. The RCD works closely with a variety of local and regional partners to restore and protect Yolo County watersheds through strategic conservation projects and programs, offering conservation planning and watershed coordination services to local residents and landowners since 1955. Our goals are clean and abundant water, healthy land and air, thriving wildlife and habitats, viable local farms and ranches, and wildfire resilient communities. Learn more about us at www.yolorcd.org. ABOUT THE POSITION The RCD is seeking a dedicated professional who has a strong interest in working on conservation projects in an agricultural community. Under the supervision of the Field Manager, the Project Assistant will assist RCD project managers in implementing agriculture technical assistance, fuels reduction, and habitat restoration projects. Job duties may include mapping, monitoring, planting, weed management, and fuels management on several new and ongoing projects on public and private land to support the establishment of native grasslands, wildlife hedgerows, riparian and pollinator habitat, and other conservation practices on open space and working landscapes. A willingness to learn to operate equipment including weed whacker, ATV, backpack sprayer, and pick-up truck pulling a trailer is needed. Training will be provided. Candidates must embrace working on a collaborative team, outside in remote settings, and with partners and clients with different perspectives, priorities, and temperaments. Field and office work is split about 60/40. The ideal candidate will have experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping tools, a working knowledge of basic vegetation management practices, and experience operating equipment. This is a non-exempt position.
Responsibilities
Duties & Responsibilities: • Assist with vegetation and fuels management activities, which may include, but are not limited to herbicide application, mowing, weed whacking, and saw work. • Irrigate native plantings using a drip system with portable pumps or water truck. • Propagate and plant native plants for nursery stock and project activities. • Operate work truck and trailers. • Assist in purchasing project supplies and materials and tracking project expenses in Excel. • Assist with project planning, reporting, and invoicing. • Assist with mapping tasks including geospatial data collection, processing, analysis, and presentation using ArcGIS Pro and a suite of ESRI applications. • Assist with partner and subcontractor communication and coordination on projects. Knowledge & Ability: Knowledge of: • Native plants, weed species, resource conservation practices, wildfire and watershed concepts, and vegetation management. • Familiarity of farming and ranching practices. • Safe operation of hand and power tools including ATV, mower, and string trimmer and backpack herbicide sprayer, and other equipment (training will be provided). • Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, Adobe Acrobat, Google Drive, and ESRI mapping tools. • Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and ability to read and write English. Understanding or fluency of Spanish is not required, but is beneficial. Ability to: • Communicate well and be highly organized. • Adapt to change, be mentally flexible, and have the desire to learn. • Work cooperatively with people with different perspectives, priorities, and temperaments. • Work independently, be highly motivated, and be a “self-starter.” • Deal with the public and present oneself in a professional manner. • Prioritize a variable work load and analyze data. • Safely operate hand and power tools, and other equipment after training. .
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements or Experience: Any combination of experience and education which provides the required knowledge and skills is acceptable but preferably: • Significant progress toward or completion of a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture, landscape architecture, ecology, or natural resource related field and/or six (6) months experience working in these areas. Physical Requirements: • As needed, ability to work in the field in a variety of outdoor weather conditions including heat, cold, and rain, and walk on uneven terrain. Ability to place or retrieve items below waist level will be required. Considerable moving is involved including walking up to 2 miles, bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, and frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Using hand tools such as shovels for work purposes, etc. License: • Required to possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license, Class C or higher, to carry out job related duties. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical or mental disability may request a reasonable accommodation.
Benefits Offered
Benefits include health, dental, vision, and 10% employer-match retirement program.
Compensation/Salary
Salary Range: $52,360 - $70,625 annual Full Time Equivalent
How to Apply
TO APPLY Please email a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to at info@yolorcd.org. Applicants will be asked to submit a driving record. The position is open until filled. If you would like additional information, please contact the email address above. The Resource Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates reflecting the social diversity of California are strongly encouraged to apply.
About Yolo County Resource Conservation District
Yolo County Resource Conservation District (RCD) is a non-regulatory special district serving over 650,000 acres of diverse agricultural operations, rangeland, public open space and developed areas in Yolo County. The Yolo County Resource Conservation District promotes land stewardship and conserves the natural resources of Yolo County by implementing on-the-ground, community-based projects that address evolving resource concerns. Yolo County RCD provides responsive, non-regulatory service to the community.
Learn more about Yolo County Resource Conservation District