This position is budgeted at $22.70 per hour and is non-negotiable.

SERG is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the San Diego State University Research Foundation and is committed to restoring and preserving California’s sensitive vegetation communities for the benefit of the environment and the preservation of the ecosystem services they offer.

SERG seeks three (3) Habitat Restoration Interns for habitat restoration and other botany-related projects around San Diego County. This is a full-time, hourly position with full benefits. The starting salary is $22.70 per hour. Relocation benefits will not be offered. The Youth Community Access (YCA) internship will begin in November 2025 and end in May 2026. Applicants must be available Monday through Friday between 7:00 am-3:30 pm during the internship period to be eligible. The YCA Interns will be trained to 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. For more details on the position, please visit the Internship page on the SERG Website.

This is a 3-step application process:

1. Apply on ICIMS, the SDSU Research Foundation official portal.
2. Fill out this google form survey to see if you meet the requirements.
3. Submit a personal statement of interest to Julie Lambert @ jlambert@sdsu.edu AND Sheryl Cramer @ smcramer@sdsu.edu

The following information is intended to be representative of the work performed by incumbents 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 outplantings.

 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%

MINIMUM EDUCATION

• Completion of sufficient lower division coursework

- OR -

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• Equivalent of one year related experience in lieu of coursework

Knowledge & Abilities

• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, clients and study participants
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to relate well to others within the project environment.
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to display organization, meet deadlines, display detail orientation, possess good judgment and common sense
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity
• Passion for Southern California flora
• Capacity to follow work rules, directions, and procedures
• Experience performing strenuous labor with a high level of physical endurance under a variety of weather and work conditions
• Ability to repeatedly lift loads of up to 45 lbs. throughout the workday and to safely navigate and work off-trail on steep, rocky, cactus-covered terrain
• Highly motivated individual with a high energy level and strong interpersonal skills.
• Possess good judgment and common sense.
• Ability to respectfully, clearly, and accurately communicate with other staff, contractors, and military commands
• Ability to pass a background check to obtain clearance for military base access
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and ability to drive 4-wheel-drive vehicles

Preferred Qualifiications & Special Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in botany, ecology, biology, or related discipline
• Previous experience in habitat restoration
• Familiarity with Southern California flora
• Experience in writing technical reports
• Experience maintaining and repairing small engines
• Experience safely operating and maintaining mechanical equipment, hand tools, herbicide application equipment, and GPS units
• Experience working in greenhouses or plant nurseries
• Experience with GIS
• Valid California Qualified Applicator Certificate strongly preferred

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.