Altar Valley Conservation Alliance
Location: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge – Yuma, AZ
Application Deadline: October 5, 2026, or until filled
Start Date: October 19, 2026 (flexible)
Duration: 6 months
Schedule: Full-time | 40 hours/week
Pay: $23.07/hour
The Altar Valley Conservation Alliance, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is seeking a Burn Area Restoration Technician to support habitat rehabilitation and revegetation at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 40 miles northeast of Yuma.
The technician will work alongside Refuge staff and the Burn Area Restoration Implementation Leader on the Refuge Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) Project, which aims to restore cottonwood/willow and desert thornscrub habitat lost during a May 2024 wildfire.
Primary Duties
- Assist with habitat restoration and rehabilitation activities
- Cut trees and brush using gas-powered and heavy equipment
- Dig and construct erosion-control structures
- Conduct broadcast seeding and plant seedlings
- Manage invasive species using mechanical and chemical methods
- Operate and maintain irrigation systems
- Assist with wildlife surveys and habitat monitoring
- Operate 4WD trucks, ATV/UTVs, skid steers, farm tractors, and backhoes (training provided)
- Load, unload, and transport project materials
- Operate or learn to operate power tools and gas-powered equipment
Qualifications
Applicants should be comfortable working independently and as part of a team in remote and physically demanding field conditions. The position requires working outdoors in heat, cold, wet, dry, and dusty conditions and the ability to walk over uneven terrain and lift/carry up to 40 pounds.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Currently pursuing or holding a degree in Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Studies, or a related field, or equivalent field-based experience
- Wildlife or habitat management experience
- Ability and willingness to use herbicides
- Interest in habitat restoration and the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
A valid driver’s license and insurable driving record are required. Due to the remote location of the refuge, applicants must have a personal vehicle for use outside of work hours.
Benefits
- $23.07/hour
- Paid federal holidays
- Housing provided at no cost in the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge bunkhouse
- Training provided for applicable vehicles and equipment
How to Apply
Submit the following in a single PDF:
- Resume describing your work history in detail
- Three references
Email application materials to Annalily Lopez at annalily_lopez@fws.gov.
When applying, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.
Applications are due October 5, 2026, or until the position is filled. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
Altar Valley Conservation Alliance
Location: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge – Yuma, AZ
Application Deadline: October 5, 2026, or until filled
Start Date: October 19, 2026 (flexible)
Duration: 6 months
Schedule: Full-time | 40 hours/week
Pay: $23.07/hour
The Altar Valley Conservation Alliance, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is seeking a Burn Area Restoration Technician to support habitat rehabilitation and revegetation at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 40 miles northeast of Yuma.
The technician will work alongside Refuge staff and the Burn Area Restoration Implementation Leader on the Refuge Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) Project, which aims to restore cottonwood/willow and desert thornscrub habitat lost during a May 2024 wildfire.
Primary Duties
- Assist with habitat restoration and rehabilitation activities
- Cut trees and brush using gas-powered and heavy equipment
- Dig and construct erosion-control structures
- Conduct broadcast seeding and plant seedlings
- Manage invasive species using mechanical and chemical methods
- Operate and maintain irrigation systems
- Assist with wildlife surveys and habitat monitoring
- Operate 4WD trucks, ATV/UTVs, skid steers, farm tractors, and backhoes (training provided)
- Load, unload, and transport project materials
- Operate or learn to operate power tools and gas-powered equipment
Qualifications
Applicants should be comfortable working independently and as part of a team in remote and physically demanding field conditions. The position requires working outdoors in heat, cold, wet, dry, and dusty conditions and the ability to walk over uneven terrain and lift/carry up to 40 pounds.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Currently pursuing or holding a degree in Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Studies, or a related field, or equivalent field-based experience
- Wildlife or habitat management experience
- Ability and willingness to use herbicides
- Interest in habitat restoration and the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
A valid driver’s license and insurable driving record are required. Due to the remote location of the refuge, applicants must have a personal vehicle for use outside of work hours.
Benefits
- $23.07/hour
- Paid federal holidays
- Housing provided at no cost in the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge bunkhouse
- Training provided for applicable vehicles and equipment
How to Apply
Submit the following in a single PDF:
- Resume describing your work history in detail
- Three references
Email application materials to Annalily Lopez at annalily_lopez@fws.gov.
When applying, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.
Applications are due October 5, 2026, or until the position is filled. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.