Monitoring and Research Field Crew Lead (Temporary)

00 - $25.00 per hour

DEPARTMENT: Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER)

LOCATION: 35 Main Street, Chico, CA; Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER); and the surrounding community. This position may require travel across the broader North State.

RESIDENCY: Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).

DURATION: This is a temporary position. The position is planned to be staffed during Spring 2026, from approximately March 2026 through June 2026. Based on performance and availability, there may be an option to pivot to part-time work on other crews in Summer or Fall of 2026.

HOURS: This position is expected to work 40 hours per week, with an annual limit of 1,500 hours.

Essential Job Functions

Under the supervision of the Fire Research Scientist, Ecological Reserves Crew Supervisor, Fire and Flora Manager, or Project Manager, responsibilities include both programmatic elements and maintenance.

Programmatic Elements
• Perform environmental monitoring and/or survey work safely and without direct supervision.
• Accurately and precisely implement protocols without direct supervision.
• Interpret discrepancies in protocols due to unexpected conditions without direct supervision.
• Complete required project tracking through reports and project documentation and develop planning documents.
• Supervise others in the accurate, precise, and safe implementation of protocols.
• Ensure accuracy and precision through data collection, entry, and management.
• Provide input and assistance in developing or updating research methodologies, data management systems, or other programmatic elements.
• Install monitoring plots.
• Perform data collection and monitoring during prescribed burns.
• Communicate with BCCER staff and outside parties to ensure research objectives are met.
• As required, act as a host and facilitator for groups using the BCCER, including faculty with field trips and research activities; students with research projects; and community hikes.
• Work with a Burn Boss, Firing Boss, and other prescribed fire practitioners to ensure research objectives are met during fire implementation.
• As requested, perform other duties as assigned.

Maintenance Elements
• As required, carry out vegetation management on the Reserve or in the surrounding community in ecologically sensitive areas using a variety of tools.
• May perform fieldwork, including but not limited to invasive plan eradication; fence repair; and road and trail maintenance using a variety of hand and power tools.
• Assist with the preparation and implementation of broadcast and pile burns.
• As requested, perform other duties such as facilities maintenance, event preparation, etc.

Employment Standards

Qualifications:
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, natural resources, biology, or related fields.
• Experience performing duties similar to those described above.
• Experience setting up and performing research projects.
• An understanding of the conservation of natural and open space resources.
• Botanical identification skills and experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of constituents, including but not limited to volunteers, student staff and interns, visitors to the reserves, and faculty and staff.
• Ability to manage time and complete tasks independently.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of and experience conducting biological monitoring or surveys.
• Experience supervising others.
• Basic firefighter training (FFT2) or equivalent.
• Experience clearing roads with a chainsaw, general chainsaw use, or S-212.
• Defensive Driver Certification.

Additional Requirements:
• Ability to perform sedentary and physical labor.
• Capacity and willingness to work in extreme weather conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted.

Compliance Requirements

Candidate must be in possession of valid driver's license and automobile liability insurance. Participation in the DMV Employer Pull Notice Program (driving record) is required. The candidate will be required to update their insurance with Chico State Enterprises Human Resources when necessary.

Benefits
• Sick leave (up to 5 days/year)

How to Apply

To be considered, submit the following documents by January 30, 2026. Documents submitted after this date may not be considered.
• Resume

BY DROP BOX: https://csuchico.app.box.com/f/098c254ca9864264b48f29eefa532a4b

BY EMAIL: [email protected]

Paper applications will not be accepted; however, Chico State Enterprises is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is happy to provide reasonable accommodation to applicants at any step of the application process. If you need assistance in this regard, or are having technical difficulties, please contact the Human Resources office at 530-898-6811 or [email protected] prior to 5:00 p.m. on the document deadline date. The employer is Chico State Enterprises, a nonprofit corporation serving as an auxiliary organization of California State University, Chico. Employment is considered to be at-will.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Chico State Enterprises provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It is Chico State Enterprises’ policy to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees must provide proof of identity and authorization to work.