Job Summary:

Background:

Swanton Pacific Ranch (SPR) is a 3,200-acre working landscape in north Santa Cruz County owned by Cal Poly Partners, managed by the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). The Student Ranch Technician would complete integral tasks to the ranch’s operational success.

Description:

The Student Ranch Technician position is designed to give Cal Poly students an opportunity to gain work experience in an extraordinary outdoor setting, expand confidence and technical competencies in a working landscape, and to build a professional network among fellow practitioners. Under the general supervision of assigned SPR staff, the Student Ranch Technician will support vegetation management and wildfire resiliency planning efforts, enhancement of roads and trails, and provide routine operational support. Additionally, the students will have opportunities to support livestock, forestry, and construction efforts at SPR. Like all positions at SPR, this is a hands-on experience that will at times require strenuous labor in remote locations and severe terrain. This is a paid student-status in-residence position at SPR for Summer Quarter 2025.

Minimum weekly working requirements will be 40 hours per week. Training includes operation and maintenance of off-highway vehicles, various tractors and implements, safety awareness for working around heavy equipment, radio communications, chainsaw operation, land orientation and map reading, ranch emergency operations, and ranch hazardous materials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting with natural resource management efforts including support in rangeland management and forest health practices
• Assist with compiling and assessing existing information and gathering information on current conditions as directed to support vegetation management and planning
• Drive vehicles, off highway vehicles, and farm equipment to perform work tasks
• Maintenance of ranch infrastructure including roads, trails, fencing, drainage structures, and monitoring sites using common hand tools
• Operating weed whackers, chainsaws, lawn mowers, tractors, and hand tools for vegetation management
• Operating necessary equipment such as a compact track loader and portable sawmill to assist wood milling for construction of various ranch assets such as picnic tables or panel siding
• Organic apple orchard maintenance, irrigation, and vegetation management
• Providing general support for ranch wide programming, initiatives, operations, and maintenance as a member of the SPR team
• Promote positive working relationships and images with the community and university
• Perform other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

• Desire to live and work in a rural community in north Santa Cruz County
• Ability to prioritize, plan, organize, and meet timelines
• Ability to receive and follow directions
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to interface with all levels of staff and our community including students, faculty, staff, industry partners, and the public
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance
• Ability to perform complex duties
• Interpersonal skills using professionalism, tact, patience, and courtesy
• Currently enrolled Cal Poly Student in good standing

Physical Requirements

• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone
• Dexterity of hands, fingers, and wrists to operate a computer keyboard and calculator
• Seeing to read a variety of materials
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time• Physical agility to lift, carry, push, or pull objects 20lbs or more
• Commuting on an as needed basis to outside meetings and training locations
• Ability and desire to work in rugged terrain

Desirable Qualifications

• Working knowledge of equipment operations such as chainsaws, weed whackers, tractors, or off-road vehicles
• Small or large livestock handling experience
• Experience or willingness to work in remote environments in extreme terrain

Wages / Benefits

• $20/hour
• Onsite housing provided in a shared housing arrangement
• Housing is free if the weekly required working hours are met

Schedule

• 40 hours/week
• 6/23/25 – 9/5/25 (11 weeks)

Application Process

Please send a cover letter, resume with references, and a letter of recommendation to Emily Steffenhagen (esteffen@calpoly.edu) by Friday, April 18th at 12pm. A scheduling poll for a zoom interview will be sent to you on 4/18/25 upon selection for the interview. Interviews will be a 30-minute slot held Thursday/Friday and Monday/Tuesday during 8:30am-12pm between the days of 4/24/25 – 4/29/25.

Contact Information

Emily Steffenhagen, SPR Experience Coordinator: esteffen@calpoly.edu; (805) 858-0231