Botany Technician (Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit)

USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (CA/NV)

The Great Basin Institute in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service is recruiting experienced Botany Technician positions to support all aspects of the special status plant conservation invasive plant management and native plant materials programs on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

This posting establishes a talent pool for seasonal botany positions active from May - October. Projects focus on plant community assessments and monitoring rare and sensitive plant surveys invasive species monitoring and control and native seed collection.

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Lead field crews in botanical surveys to determine species identity population characteristics environmental conditions factors affecting vigor and map extent of species and their habitat.
• Manage crew safety coordinate daily tasks and ensure data collection adheres to USFS management protocols.
• Conduct desktop spatial exercise to review survey areas for suitable sensitive plant habitat and develop survey plans.
• Determine appropriate invasive plant management methods by species site conditions and infestation size.
• Select and scout appropriate seed collection sites to achieve quality collections.
• Lay out and measure monitoring plots.
• Photograph or collect specimens as directed.
• Produce maps of survey areas.
• Record data in ESRI FieldMaps and Survey 123 enter data into USFS corporate database and summarize data;
• Use botanical keys to identify plants;
• Provide guidance to partners and contractors completing work on behalf of the USFS;
• Administrative duties such as meeting with GBI staff leading report writing receipt management managing equipment inventory and managing crew members and team dynamics; and
• Additional tasks may include survey equipment setup data quality assurance and training.

LOCATION

USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Supervisors Office South Lake Tahoe CA.

WORK SCHEDULE

Field season begins mid-May and ends late October. Potential to start early and/or extend season may be available dependent on available funding and support needs.

Positions generally follow a 10 hour days 4 days a week schedule with some flexibility dependent on specific work assignments and locations.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Wage: $26.54/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time average 40 hours per week

Housing provided at no cost.

In addition to a competitive base salary this full-time onsite position includes company-paid premium comprehensive medical dental (with option to upgrade in coverage) and vision insurance as well as $25000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members. Mental health support resources are employer provided competitive PTO accrual and paid holidays. This exciting role contributes to GBIs significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research education and conservation.

TSA employees who serve a term under 52 weeks in duration and have a thirty (30) day or less break between terms and then sign a second term that (cumulatively) becomes greater than 52 weeks of employment will be eligible for the >1-year TSA benefits (equivalent to Regular full-time employees)

To perform this job successfully employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Experience conducting botanical field surveys including rare plant surveys using US Forest Service or similar protocols.
• Strong understanding of and experience conducting standard botanical survey methods vegetation assessments and habitat characterization with the ability to ensure consistent application across field crews.
• Ability to identify plants using dichotomous keys to the species or subspecies level and support others in accurate identification.
• Experience implementing overseeing and ensuring compliance with established data collection inventory assessment and monitoring protocols through digital data collection platforms.
• Experience using the Seeds of Success protocol or other best practices for seed collection desired.
• Proficiency in GPS navigation map reading and supporting map production for survey and monitoring efforts.
• Physical ability for fieldwork in remote areas including overnight camping if necessary.
• Ability to coordinate daily field operations manage crew safety and adapt work plans in response to field conditions and project needs. Ability to work both independently and self-directed as well as under the direction of a fellow crew member as delegated.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and project partners.
• Possess a clean valid state-issued drivers license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads
• Experience leading crews in the field preferred.

Education:

Bachelors degree in Biology Ecology Natural Resource Management Botany or a related field with fieldwork experience OR three seasons of botany fieldwork experience.

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume and contact information for three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.

For questions regarding this position please contact:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit use hands stand walk bend and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision and ability to adjust focus working with job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organizations ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position GBI reserves the right to change the same including to change add to or subtract from the duties outlined within the sole discretion of the organization at any time with or without advance notice.