Botany Program Resource Assistant

Job Announcement

United States Forest Service – Boise National Forest

Supervisor’s Office – Boise, ID

Botany Program Resource Assistant

Please Respond By: April 29 th, 2022

Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) in partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS) welcomes applications for a Botany Program Resource Assistant position. This is a 34-week full-time work experience from approximately June 1, 2022 to January 2023. Created in 1984 and modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, NYC is a non-profit job training and experiential education program for youth and young adults to learn and work in the field of natural resource management. NYC will recruit and hire the selected RA candidate providing personnel and Human Resources needs during the placement. The daily activities of the RA will be primarily under the direction of Forest Service staff.

Position: Botany Program Resource Assistant

Target start date: June 1, 2022 (specific date to be determined by the RA and supervisor, may be up to two weeks earlier or later depending on the RA’s availability)

Duration: 34 weeks (About 9 Months)

Status: Full time (40 hours/week).

Duty Location: 1249 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 200, Boise, ID 83709

Overview

The Botany Program Resource Assistant will support the Botany and Ecology programs on the Boise National Forest. The hired individual will work within the Forest Service botanical resources and ecology programs under the direction of a botanist, Forest Ecologist or other botanical professional. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, botanical resources field surveys for rare plants and invasive species; gathering, managing, and analyzing field data; researching specific topics; producing documentation such as site forms, reports, maps and geospatial data; organizing and managing botanical materials; developing or leading educational/interpretive materials and programs; and stewardship activities. The Resource Assistant Program is a rigorous and immersive paid internship for individuals interested in Forest Service careers. Resource Assistants (RAs) work with Forest Service staff to complete mission-critical work that demonstrates leadership, critical thinking, and strategic communication. Through direct training, experience, and exposure, RAs gain the tools to launch their natural and cultural resource careers. To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/volunteers/resource-assistants-program

Duties and Areas of Responsibility The hired individual would be part of a larger team that supports forest ecology and botanical resources programs. Work would occur across all five districts on the Boise National Forest.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• At least 75% of the time would be spent in the field conducting pedestrian surveys and site monitoring for plant communities and rare plant occurrences. This work would include:

o following established field protocols to conduct vegetation/habitat sampling and field data collection; o identifying plants to species level using dichotomous keys; and

o collecting species inventory, canopy or foliar cover, vegetation height and basal area measurements.

• Data entry and database management, including:

o Botanical resources GIS feature classes creation and hard copy land use data maps.

o Forest Service’s Natural Resource Management (NRM) Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Plants-Invasive Species (TESP-IS) database training and management.

Requirements

This position is a field-going position. Fieldwork can be physically demanding and may involve extensive hiking often in steep and uneven terrain in variable weather conditions. Individuals would be expected to provide field clothing appropriate to safely conduct fieldwork. The Forest will provide safety equipment such as hard hats. Some work will require travel to remote areas of the Forest and overnight camping.

• Skills or college-level coursework in identifying plants to species level using dichotomous keys.

• Possession of a college degree, or near completion, with college-level coursework equivalent to a major in botany or basic plant science (at least 24 semester hours of botany or plant science courses).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with strong organizational and computer skills.

• Ability to work independently and with a diverse group of people.

• Be self-motivated, creative, and resourceful.

• Ability to work effectively with professionals in a variety of disciplines in a collaborative and cooperative manner and handle multiple tasks/projects at a given time.

• Skills in problem solving, analysis, evaluation, and resolution.

• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet objectives as part of the performance of position duties.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and maintain a positive attitude.

• Basic GIS skills.

• Successful completion of a background check.

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents over 19 years old.

• Valid state driver’s license.

Desired Skills

• Experience coordinating and/or managing projects in a timely manner.

• Ability to solve complex problems through creative and innovative approaches

. • Ability to adapt to change (such as changes to project scope, tasks, and timelines) and to persist through challenges to achieve goals and outcomes.

• Demonstrate professionalism that fosters an environment where colleagues and stakeholders feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring new ideas and issues forward.

• A desire to serve and promote public land stewardship and an ethic of service.

• Communicate and interact in a positive, professional manner with various populations such as: project partner(s), colleagues, community volunteers, youth and the general public.

• A commitment to the goals of the U.S. Forest Service.

• A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a team.

• A willingness to ask questions for clarification and job completion.

• Work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends. • Ability to commit to the full term of service.

• Regular and reliable attendance and dependability

. • Previous experience working in Botany

Program Benefits:

• NYC will provide RA a total stipend of $17,000 divided across a 34-week term along with health care coverage, workers compensation, and FICA/Medicare.

• The RA will receive $2,750 in funding to reimburse relocation costs, program travel, and applicable trainings.

• The RA will receive a total housing stipend of $6,000 prorated monthly.

• The RA will have a minimum of 52 hours of flexible paid leave in addition to federally recognized holidays.

• The RA will qualify for a U.S. Forest Service Direct Hiring Authority and Noncompetitive Hiring Eligibility upon completion of 960 hours of service. The hiring authority is valid for 2 years, once issued.

• Professional development, mentorship, trainings, and networking opportunities.

About the Boise National Forest

The Boise National Forest contains some of Idaho’s most beautiful and diverse country. Located northeast of Idaho’s capital city of Boise in west central Idaho, the 2.6-million-acre forest varies in elevations from 2,800 feet on the North Fork Payette River Canyon to nearly 10,000 feet atop Steel Mountain. This wide range of elevations encompasses a great diversity of geologic features and ecosystems. Recreationists can explore more than 500 trails, world-renowned white-water rafting, kayaking and floating along the Payette River, or visit the western portions of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness that borders the Boise. The Boise includes five ranger districts: Mountain Home, Idaho City, Cascade, Lowman and Emmett with district offices located in each of those towns. Guard stations are also located in Garden Valley and High Valley. The Boise also hosts Lucky Peak Nursery, a Forest Service tree farm that grows trees and shrubs to be replanted on National Forests in Southern Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Western Wyoming, Arizona and New Mexico.

Application Instructions Below

Application Deadline: April 29th, 2022

Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received

Type of position: Individual Placement

Service Dates: June 2022 to January 2023

Length of Term: 34 Weeks (1360 Hours)

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely fill out the application form found at https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships

Additional Information

If you have questions about the Resource Assistant Internship, please reach NYC Internship Program Officer Liv Kelley by phone at 208-805-0325 or livk@nwyouthcorps.org or Forest Ecologist, Jennifer Brickey by phone at 208-994-1268 or jennifer.brickey@usda.gov

NYC COVID-19 Protocols: We have developed and facilitated industry leading COVID management protocols that are in place to keep our members and staff healthy, and have maintained an excellent safety record. Read our COVID protocols by visiting www.nwyouthcorps.org/m/covid19. All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check. Northwest Youth Corps recommends that all participants be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.