Promotional Announcement: Botanist

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

1d

About The Position

This is a promotional announcement, not a vacant position. The Botanist conducts botanical field work for Botany/Vegetation Ecology Team projects, develops or expands protocols, collects data, and prepares reports and other deliverables for supervisor review. The role may lead field crews, train staff, and supervise seasonal technicians, student employees, interns, or volunteers.

The Botanist exercises independent judgment over field-work scope, prioritization, and safe execution, and contributes to project planning, sponsor engagement, budgeting, proposals, and representation of CNHP at meetings and conferences. The position also participates in unit management and other administrative duties.

Field work may involve extended and nontraditional hours, extensive travel during the field season, car camping, and hiking more than six miles per day while carrying loads up to 40 pounds in variable outdoor conditions, including inclement weather, rugged terrain, heat or cold, insects, and other natural hazards. A strong commitment to team safety is required.

The minimum qualifications are a completed bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant professional experience, or a completed master’s degree in Natural Resources, Ecology, Botany, or a related field. Candidates must have botanical species identification experience, proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word, and strong collaboration, organizational, problem-solving, and communication abilities.

Requirements

• Completed B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited university and three years of relevant professional experience, or a completed master's degree in Natural Resources, Ecology, Botany, or a related field.
• Experience using dichotomous botanical keys and field guides to identify plant species, and familiarity with major angiosperm plant families in the Rocky Mountain region.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Ability to work independently and with a diverse team, and to maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle complex tasks accurately and with attention to detail.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Valid driver's license or ability to obtain one by the employment start date.
• Willingness and ability to work extended and nontraditional hours, travel extensively during field season, car camp, and hike long distances while carrying loads up to 40 pounds in variable outdoor conditions.
• Strong commitment to team safety.
• Pre-employment criminal background check is required for new hires.

Responsibilities

• Develop protocols or expand existing protocols when necessary.
• Prepare for, conduct, and complete post-data-collection wrap-up of botanical field work on Botany/Vegetation Ecology Team projects.
• Create reports and other deliverables independently, subject to final supervisor review.
• Interview and hire hourly field technicians; lead or manage field crews and provide training.
• Supervise seasonal botany field technicians, student employees, interns, and/or volunteers during field work.
• Make decisions about field-work scope, prioritization, and safe execution without oversight, following detailed protocols.
• Assist with training and workflows for new projects.
• Meet with project sponsors to determine scope of work, create proposed-work budgets, and propose new work through proposal writing with supervision.
• Represent CNHP at meetings and conferences.
• Participate in monthly staff meetings, the bi-annual CNHP Partners Meeting, and other administrative duties as needed.
• Coordinate with field staff to determine which sites to sample each day and advise crews on safety and navigation.
• Suggest project improvements and communicate ideas to sponsors.
• Assist the team leader/supervisor in creating an annual field-work plan based on project prioritization.

Benefits

• Colorado State University describes a robust benefits package, a collaborative atmosphere, and a focus on work-life balance; detailed benefits information is available through the university.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level