About Us
Marin County Parks manages 40 public parks and pathways, and 18,500 acres of open space. These public lands, which include McNears Beach, Paradise Beach, Roy’s Redwoods, Bolinas Lagoon, Mount Burdell, and Ring Mountain, reflect the rich variety of ecosystems in coastal northern California.
A department of the County of Marin, our mission is to educate, inspire, and engage the people of Marin in the shared commitment of preserving, protecting, and enriching the natural beauty of Marin’s parks and open spaces, and providing recreational opportunities for the enjoyment of all generations.
Marin County Parks promotes a collaborative and supportive team-oriented work culture based on a shared mission, personal integrity, and positive attitude.
As the stewards of their public lands, we are committed to ongoing engagement and relationship-building with the people and communities we serve. Parks’ priorities are guided by this community dialogue.
These Include
- Park facilities maintenance and improvements
- Open space road and trail management and improvements
- Vegetation management for wildfire risk reduction and ecosystem health, in partnership with regional fire departments, the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, and natural resource scientists
- Climate change and sea-level rise resilience
- Equity
About The Position
The Conservation Science program is now recruiting for up to three (3) Seasonal Vegetation Technicians for the 2026 Season. We are looking for people who would enjoy working in our vegetation program from February through October. The Vegetation Technicians’ time will be distributed as follows:
50% Crew Lead: Provide oversight for a crew of up to six seasonal assistants, focused on the management of invasive plant species in Marin open space preserves. The Technician will assist the Vegetation Specialist with project planning and scoping, coordinating crew needs and logistics, and promoting safe and effective field work practices. This role may assist with on-the-job trainings covering relevant skills, tools, and equipment.
50% Early Detection/Rapid Response: Surveying for early detection invasive plant species and conducting rapid response weed management treatments. Additional tasks may include conducting vegetation surveys for rare plant populations, priority weed infestations, and project areas.
There will be opportunities to support other programs or teams. Additional tasks for all Conservation Science seasonal staff may include: treating invasive plants, restoration planting activities, native seed collection, working with volunteers, monitoring and collecting plant and wildlife population data, mapping and recording work completed using GPS/GIS, data entry/processing, writing monitoring protocols and summary reports, maintaining tools and equipment, general park maintenance and other tasks as needed. Tasks are subject to change during an emergency, seasonal staff should have the ability to be flexible during these times.
About You
The Highly Qualified Candidate(s) will be willing to perform tasks both indoors and outdoors in a variety of open space settings, and have experience working independently and providing support on more complex projects and teams. They will have experience or a willingness to learn four-wheel drive vehicle operations, power and hand tool use, digital mapping and data collection techniques, ArcGIS, local plant identification, familiarity with local vegetation communities, summarizing and communicating progress and work performed. They will have experience working independently and providing support and input on projects and teams, and experience working with vegetation management. Familiarity with the local flora and habitat restoration concepts applicable to the Bay Area region and a valid applicator license or certificate from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation is also highly desirable.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Depending On Assignment
- Principles and practices of natural resources management, including weed management, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring.
- Local flora and fauna; historical and geological resources and methods; techniques of wildland resources protection and restoration; and Marin County Parks lands and boundaries.
- The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools and light equipment.
- Use, handling, application of and safety equipment for use with herbicides.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
- Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment, and basic computer applications.
- English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
Ability To
Depending on assignment:
- Read, interpret and apply technical information from manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blueprints, and schematics.
- Operate modern office equipment including computer, GPS equipment and GIS software, and cloud-based databases.
- Conduct field surveys in remote locations.
- Safely and effectively use and operate a variety of hand and power tools and specialized motorized equipment as required for the work.
- Establish and maintain positive cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including the general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and community stakeholders.
- Use sound independent judgement when interpreting and applying the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
- Prepare and maintain accurate records and materials related to work.
- Train and inspect the work of others and maintain established quality control standards.
Minimum Qualifications
Six months of experience in biological monitoring, wildlife surveying, habitat assessments, nursery operations, vegetation mapping and management, or trail management. Completion of 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of training and/or education in environmental science, forest/wildlife ecology, or biological science may be substituted for the experience outlined above.
Certificates and Licenses
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving history as obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles is required at time of appointment.
Depending upon assignment, may be required to obtain a Pest Control Applicator Certificate during appointment.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
For any questions concerning this position announcement, please contact at Anthony Wesley at anthony.wesley@marincounty.gov.
All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view these emails.
LiveScan: Candidates selected may be subject to fingerprinting by the Sheriff's Department and must pass a Department of Justice LiveScan background check prior to appointment.
Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill the current vacancy, and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions which may occur while the list remains active.
Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415-473-2095.
PLEASE NOTE: The benefits described herein do not apply to temporary (contingent) or to part-time employees that work less than 50%.
COUNTY OF MARIN BENEFITS: GENERAL
Below are some of the excellent benefits the County offers. More information about our benefits can be found on the Marin County's Benefits Homepage.
Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual; 12 holidays per year; and generous sick leave accruals. Additional types of paid leaves are available for some bargaining units.
Health Plan: Choice of four health plans (two Kaiser HMOs, Western Health Advantage HMO, and an Anthem Blue Cross PPO) along with dental through Delta Dental PPO, and vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is a County contribution toward the premiums (the contribution amount varies depending on coverage tier elected such as employee only, employee + 1, employee + family). Plus, the County offers excellent Life Insurance, Disability, Flexible Spending Plans, a Dependent Care Assistance Program, professional development and more.
Retirement: Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937. More information can be found online at www.mcera.org.
IRS 457 Plan: Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical: The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees.
For specific questions regarding the employment process, please contact Human Resources at (415) 473-6104. For additional details about the benefits or retirement, please contact the Benefits Division at (415) 473-2197.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
01
The following supplemental questions will help us determine how well you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Additionally, the information provided may be considered in determining whether you will advance in the recruitment process. Respond honestly and truthfully to all questions. Applicants providing false or misleading information may be disqualified from further employment processing, or if hired, immediately terminated from employment. Experience listed below must also be described in the Work Experience section of your application. Incomplete responses or answering, "See Resume" or "See Application" may automatically disqualify your application from further consideration.
- I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statement.
02
Do you have six (6) months of experience in biological monitoring, wildlife surveying, habitat assessments, nursery operations, vegetation mapping and management, or trail management?
03
If you answered “Yes” to Question 2, please describe your six (6) months of experience in biological monitoring, wildlife surveying, habitat assessments, nursery operations, vegetation mapping and management, or trail management. Your response must include:
- The name(s) of your employer(s)
- Job title and type of position held (extra-hire, relief, paid call, or volunteer, etc.)
- Dates of employment and number of hours worked per week
- Specific tasks performed
04
Have you completed 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of training and/or education in environmental science, forest/wildlife ecology, or biological science?
05
If you answered “Yes” to Question 4, please list your training and/or education in environmental science, forest/wildlife ecology, or biological science. Your response must include:
- The name(s) of the course(s)
- Number of semester/quarter units
- The college or university where the courses were taken If you have not completed college level coursework in environmental science, forest/wildlife ecology, or biological science, please type "N/A" in the space below.
06
Do you possess a valid California Class C driver’s license OR are you able to obtain a California Class C driver’s license at the time of appointment? (California DMV information)
07
Are you:
- Able to work Monday-Thursday starting at 6:30 am, work a 37.5-hour week, and have the ability to adjust days or times worked to occasionally be involved in a night or weekend event?
- Willing to wear during work hours required uniform items and honorably represent the organization while in uniform?
- Able to hike long distances carrying up to 40 lbs. of weight on uneven terrain? You must answer “Yes” to continue being considered for this recruitment
- Yes
- No
08
Do you have a current valid applicator license or certificate (QAC, QAL, PCA) from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation? If yes, please ensure this information is reflected in the “Certificates & Licenses” section of your application.
09
How much professional experience do you have treating invasive plant species with hand tools, power tools, or herbicide?
- None
- Less than 1 year
- 1-3 years
- More than 3 years
10
Describe an invasive plant management project in which you were involved. Include your role, the target species, the methods used, the goals of the project, and why the work was important.
11
Knowledge of plant species and the ability to identify plants are beneficial skills for this position. Check all boxes that apply to you.
- I am proficient at using botanical keys and botanical nomenclature
- I can identify an unknown plant using field guides and/or online resources
- I can identify a wide array of native and invasive plants by sight
- I am familiar with the vegetation communities of a specific region (e.g., the San Francisco Bay Area)
- I have conducted botanical surveys in a professional context
- None of the above
12
These positions will utilize digital mapping technology to plan, execute, and record work tasks. Please select the mapping software and hardware that you have a high degree of experience using. You may be required to demonstrate your proficiency during the interview process.
- ArcGIS
- QGIS
- Google Earth
- Calflora Weed Manager (desktop application)
- Calflora Observer Pro (phone application)
- Avenza Maps
- iNaturalist
- Trimble handheld GPS unit
- Garmin or another non-Trimble handheld GPS unit
- None of the above
13
This position will be required to use a variety of tools and equipment. Please check all tools you have proficiency with.
- Herbicide application equipment (e.g., backpack sprayer, dauber)
- Power tools (e.g., Chainsaw, string trimmer, hedger)
- 4x4 vehicles
- Hand tools (e.g., shovel, pick, hand saw, etc.)
- None of the above
14
Select the statement that best describes your experience leading work groups in an outdoor setting.
- I have experience leading groups of people in invasive plant management or habitat restoration activities
- I have experience leading groups of people in an outdoor setting not related to invasive plant management or habitat restoration
- I have experience leading groups of people, but not in an outdoor setting
- None of the above
- Required Question
