This is a full-time, hourly position with full benefits. The starting salary is $22.70 per hour. Relocation benefits will not be offered.

This internship will begin in June 2025 and end in November 2025. Applicants must be available from Monday through Friday between 7:00 am-3:30 pm during the internship period to be eligible.

The Youth Community Access Program (YCA) Intern will act as a Habitat Restoration Technician and will help implement habitat restoration projects and other botanical tasks. This position requires repetitive manual labor, working outdoors in harsh conditions, heavy lifting and carrying, and hiking on rugged terrain.

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by interns in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities.

Invasive Species Management 35%

• Removal of non-native species manually, mechanically, and/or chemically.

Habitat Restoration and Maintenance 30%

• Installation of erosion control and irrigation material.
• Installation and maintenance of native species out-plantings.

Plant Propagation and Cultivation 20%

• Collection and propagation of native plant propagules.
• Maintenance of greenhouse, nursery, lab, and tool storage facilities.

Monitoring and Surveying 10%

• Monitoring rare plant populations.
• Surveying vegetation communities. 

Other Duties as Assigned 5%

Knowledge & Abilities

• Become familiar with southern California flora
• Perform biological surveys to track vegetation changes of pre & post restoration efforts
• Become acquainted with ArcGIS Pro and GIS related careers
• Obtain a California DPR Qualified Applicator Certificate
• Learn the safe use of pesticide according to CA DPR guidelines
• Become familiar with different weed control and habitat restoration methods
• Learn to safely operate hand & power tools to remove non-native plant species
• Learn to operate the SERG 4x4 vehicles in sandy and rocky terrain, with trailer attachments
• Learn to interact respectfully and effectively with coworkers, management, and clients
• Participate in the preparation of technical reports and other deliverables
• Learn proper seed collecting techniques and California native plant propagation methods
• Learn to grow and care for California native plants in greenhouse and nursery settings
• Great physical fitness.
• Ability to study for and obtain a qualified applicator certificate from the California Department of pesticide Regulation.
• Willingness to learn about the safe use of herbicide application.
• Willingness to participate in vegetation surveys that require camping in national forests for one-week at a time.
• Ability to pass a background check to obtain clearance for military base access.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Ability and willingness to understand and follow work rules and procedures.

Minimum Education & Experience

• Completion of sufficient lower division coursework
• OR - Equivalent of one-year related experience in lieu of coursework

Preferred Qualification & Special Skills

• Must be between the ages of 18-26.
• Reside in a household where combined earnings are 80% or less of the area median income (AMI). According to recent data, the median household income in San Diego is approximately $65,753. Therefore, an annual income of $52,602 or less.
• Reside in a low-income, underserved, and immigrant community and/or a community of color, including or coming from a Native American or Indigenous community.
• Identify with a minority group and/or be a person of color (POC).
• Show an interest in pursuing a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), natural resources and/or life sciences.
• Be currently enrolled or show interest in enrolling in an accredited 2–4-year institution upon completion of internship program.
• Be available for full-time employment between May-October 2025, start and end dates may vary.

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).
• San Diego State University 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 complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• 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.