Botany Field Team Technician
Description:
The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service and Capitol Reef National Park, is recruiting a Botany Technician to join the AmeriCorps program. The Botany Technician will support the Capitol Reef National Park Division of Resource Management & Science and serve as members of the vegetation monitoring crew assisting resource staff with surveys and demographic monitoring of federally listed plants, rangeland forage species, native species seed collection, data entry and management, data summarization, quality assurance and control of data and maintenance of monitoring field equipment and tools.
Primary responsibilities include conducting field work associated with listed and endemic plants and demographic surveys, rangeland monitoring and collection of native seeds for restoration projects; training in field protocols and methodologies will be provided. A general knowledge of plants, in particular grasses, of the southwest is helpful but is not required. Team members will utilize GPS units to navigate to field sites and survey plots. Upon return to the office, field team members will use computer software, including MS Access, Excel and various ESRI products (Survey 123, Collector, ArcGIS), to organize, manage and summarize field data.
Survey work requires attention to detail, long hours in the field in remote areas of the park, hiking off trail 2 to 10 miles per day, camping and possibly backpacking. Weather conditions will vary from cold winds or rain in the early spring to temperatures nearing 100° F in the summer. Other challenging field conditions include high winds and gnats or other biting insects. Experience driving four-wheel drive vehicles on high clearance, dirt roads would be beneficial, but is not essential. Office work consists of entering data into an Access database and Excel spreadsheet, labeling photos, and summarizing datasets. The Technician must be able to work well with other team members and ensure that safety protocols are adhered to. Work includes operating vehicles to transport team members and equipment safely on high clearance dirt roads in NPS four-wheel drive vehicles and assist with completing weekly reporting of accomplishments. The Technician will work to ensure that all AmeriCorps, GBI, NPS policies are adhered to.
The Technician may also assist natural resource staff with vertebrate and invertebrate species surveys, invasive plant control and mapping, assessment and monitoring of disturbed areas and riparian condition assessments. Technicians will be supervised by the park Biologist.
Job Qualifications:
Technical requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Plant Taxonomy or other related field, or combination of related coursework in and direct experience and knowledge of plant taxonomy and ecology, including use of technical botanical keys (dichotomous plant key without pictures);
- Familiarity with plants of the Colorado Plateau, including endemic, threatened and endangered plants, preferable; knowledge of native grasses also highly desirable.
- Experience with collection, handling and storage of native seed for revegetation.
- Familiarity with, or proven ability and desire to learn, specific State and Federal laws and Park Service policies related to plants;
- Experience (one year) conducting floristic field surveys or vegetation monitoring (e.g., repeat photography, or transect and quadrat systematic sampling);
- Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and data collection;
- Knowledge of GIS software (highly desirable, but not required);
- Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project/grant reports;
- Experience using digital cameras and computer software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Access, Excel); and
- Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
Additional requirements:
- Ability to work productively both independently and as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals;
- Ability to communicate effectively with team members, GBI and agency staff, and a diverse public;
- Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging, bending over, hauling material, hiking);
- Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition;
- Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field, if necessary;
- Good organizational skills; and
- Valid, state-issued driver’s license; clean driving record; and ability to safely operate a 4WD truck on paved and unpaved roads, including narrow, sandy or muddy desert roads.
Contract Timeline:
15-week appointment (July 16, 2023 -October 26, 2023)
Location:
Capitol Reef National Park is located near Torrey, UT. The location is remote. The nearest gas station is 10 miles away and the nearest grocery store is approximately 30 miles away. A personal vehicle is required for travel/transport outside of work. No cell service is available in housing or near the duty station. WiFi is available in park housing. Reliable cellular service is found when nearing Torrey. The intern should find living in a remote location desirable. Located in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef is filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges. In addition to unique geological resources and spectacular scenery, the park also has a rich cultural history.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Total Living Allowance: up to $8,525.00 for 15-week appointment (allocated biweekly)
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,718.25 (Upon successful completion, the award may be used for past, present or future educational expenses, including payment of qualifying federal student loans and Title IV accredited college tuition.)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost
- Camping Per Diem: $15/day (when applicable)
- Housing: The Park will provide housing in a 5-6-bedroom dormitory. The interns will have a private room with a shared bath, shared kitchen and common areas. The dormitory includes all appliances, coin-operated washer and dryer, some kitchen pots, pans and dishes, and internet service. Heat, electricity and water are included. A phone is available in each dorm and long-distance calls can be made with a calling card. Housing is located approximately a 5-minute walk from the duty station.