Institute for Applied Ecology

The Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) is a non-profit started in 1999 with a mission to conserve and restore native
plants and their habitat through restoration, research, and education. Our vision is a world where all people and wildlands
are healthy and interact positively, biological diversity flourishes, and environmental challenges are met with a social
commitment to solving problems with scientific principles. Our Southwest Office (IAE SW) works in New Mexico and
Arizona.

Native Seed and Habitat Restoration YCC Crew Member
Start Date: 7/6/2026
End Date: 11/5/2026
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Status: Temporary, Full-time
Compensation: $19.50/hr
Plus paid holidays, 16 hours of vacation time, and sick leave.
Position Description
IAE SW seeks to hire four Native Seed and Habitat Restoration Crew Members through funding from the Youth
Conservation Corps (YCC). The crew will work with a crew lead and IAE staff to gain hands-on experience in
conservation, native seed collection, restoration, and outdoor education. The weekly work schedule will consist of four
10-hour days (7am-5pm, Monday through Thursday) per week, with occasional exceptions depending on fieldwork needs.
The crew will be based out of Santa Fe, NM, and will travel to field sites in provided vehicles. Field sites are located
throughout New Mexico and may require occasional overnight camping.
Specific Responsibilities
● Native seed collection:
o Scout plant populations, track phenology, hand collect seed, and record site data.
o Seed collections will be made from native wildflowers to support IAE’s pollinator habitat restoration
projects.
● Native seed production field maintenance:
o Assist with planting, weeding, and general maintenance of native seed production fields in a farm setting.
● Restoration:
o Assist with invasive species identification and removal, broadcast seeding, planting, and watering at IAE
pollinator habitat restoration sites in New Mexico.
● Outdoor education:
o Assist with IAE’s ecological education programs for youth and teenagers.
● Native seed processing
o Assist with seed cleaning, packaging, labeling, and data collection.
● Monitoring
o Habitat assessments and surveys for monarch butterflies and other native pollinators.
Studies have shown that Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), women and other marginalized groups are less
likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We
are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less
traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and
qualifications for the role.
Minimum Qualifications
● Must be between the ages of 18-25 at the time of hire (YCC requirement)
● Must be a New Mexico resident (YCC requirement)
● Must be available for at least 12 weeks, though applicants available for the entire 18-week duration are
strongly preferred
● A positive attitude with an interest in conservation biology, botany, or restoration ecology
● Effective communication skills and experience working on a team
● Organized and detail-oriented
● Basic computer skills
● Comfortable outdoors: able to work in a variety of adverse field conditions, which may include exposure to heat
and sun, monsoonal rains, and hazardous wildlife
● Able to conduct frequent bending, kneeling, and standing

Native Seed and Habitat Restoration YCC Crew Lead
Start Date: 7/6/2026
End Date: 11/5/2026
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Status: Temporary, Full-time
Compensation: $22.00/hr
Plus paid holidays, 16 hours of vacation time, and sick leave.
Position Description
IAE SW seeks to hire one Native Seed and Habitat Restoration Crew Lead through funding from the Youth Conservation
Corps (YCC). The crew lead will work closely with IAE staff to coordinate 4 crew members and gain hands-on
experience in conservation, native seed collection, restoration, and outdoor education. The weekly work schedule will
consist of four 10-hour days (7am-5pm, Monday through Thursday) per week, with occasional exceptions depending on
fieldwork needs. The crew will be based out of Santa Fe, NM, and will travel to field sites in provided vehicles. Field sites
are located throughout New Mexico and may require occasional overnight camping.
Specific Responsibilities
● Work with IAE staff to coordinate and mentor four crew members.
● Prioritize personal and crew safety while working in the field.
● Native seed collection:
o Scout plant populations, track phenology, hand collect seed, and record site data.
o Seed collections will be made from native wildflowers to support IAE’s pollinator habitat restoration
projects.
● Native seed production field maintenance:
o Assist with planting, weeding, and general maintenance of native seed production fields in a farm setting.
● Restoration:
o Assist with invasive species identification and removal, broadcast seeding, planting, and watering at IAE
pollinator habitat restoration sites in New Mexico.
● Outdoor education:
o Assist with developing outreach materials for IAE’s ecological education and outreach programs.
● Native seed processing
o Assist with seed cleaning, packaging, labeling, and data collection.
● Monitoring
o Habitat assessments and surveys for monarch butterflies and other native pollinators.
Studies have shown that Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), women and other marginalized groups are less
likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We
are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less
traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and
qualifications for the role.
Minimum Qualifications
● Must be between the ages of 18-25 at the time of hire (YCC requirement)
● Must be a New Mexico resident (YCC requirement)
● Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to drive on off-highway gravel or dirt roads
● Must be available for the entire 18-week duration
● A positive attitude with an interest in conservation biology, botany, or restoration ecology
● Effective communication skills and experience working on a team
● Organized and detail-oriented
● Basic computer skills
● Comfortable outdoors: able to work in a variety of adverse field conditions, which may include exposure to heat
and sun, monsoonal rains, and hazardous wildlife
● Able to conduct frequent bending, kneeling, and standing
Preferred Qualifications
● 1+ field seasons performing outdoor work, especially natural resources field work
● Knowledge of plants of the Southwest
● Coursework/training in botany or natural resources

How to Apply
Please fill out the online application form by 11:59pm, Sunday, April 5th, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a
rolling basis until the position is filled.