Botany Crew Lead (Seasonal), Oroville, Feather River RD, Plumas NF

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE•Chico, CA

2d•$26 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

Oroville, Feather River Ranger District; Plumas NF USFS, California, The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting Botany Crew Leads to supervise and conduct vegetation surveys within the Feather River Ranger District of the Plumas National Forest. These projects advance the Basin & Range Forestry program’s mission of supporting the USFS in improving forest resilience in the face of worsening climate conditions and increased wildfire threats. The Botany Crew Lead will oversee a small field crew while performing technical botanical surveys, ensuring accurate data collection, safety, and adherence to established protocols. This leadership position provides an opportunity to apply advanced field and organizational skills in support of resource management objectives across diverse habitats. Crew Leads will gain exposure to USFS processes, compliance measures, and interdisciplinary collaboration, while directly contributing to forest health and ecosystem sustainability. Essential Job Functions The Botany Crew Lead will manage day-to-day field operations and ensure all botanical data collection meets agency standards. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in botany, plant ecology, or closely related field (with coursework in plant taxonomy and/or systematics); OR Equivalent combination of education and experience conducting botanical fieldwork, including rare plant surveys; AND At least one full season (6+ months) of field leadership experience supervising or mentoring field crews.
Proven experience using dichotomous keys to identify plants to species or subspecies level.
Proficiency with GPS units, maps, and compasses for navigation and data collection.
Demonstrated ability to organize, review, and maintain field data.
Excellent communication, leadership, and team coordination skills.
Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Ability to work and camp in remote, rugged field conditions.
Physical fitness to hike long distances, carry up to 50 lbs of equipment, and work in all weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the flora of the Northern Sierra Nevada / Plumas region.
Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Familiarity with noxious weed identification and control.
Experience leading crews in remote field environments.
Ability to interpret, implement, and train others on data collection and monitoring protocols.
Skill in operating and maintaining 4WD vehicles on rough roads.

Responsibilities

Leading and mentoring a crew of 2–4 Botany Technicians during field surveys.
Coordinating daily logistics, including field assignments, transportation, and safety check-ins.
Conducting botanical surveys to determine species identity, population characteristics, habitat conditions, and environmental factors affecting plant vigor.
Ensuring data quality and completeness, reviewing crew data for accuracy, and submitting timely reports.
Navigating with GPS, maps, and compass to locate survey areas and project sites.
Using botanical keys to identify plant species, including sensitive, rare, and invasive taxa.
Producing maps of survey areas and summarizing survey findings.
Photographing or collecting specimens as directed.
Communicating regularly with GBI supervisors and USFS partners to coordinate project priorities and ensure alignment with management goals.
Supporting and reinforcing safety protocols and ensuring adherence to GBI and USFS field standards.
Assisting with reporting and data management tasks as needed.

Benefits

Wage: $26/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate (full-time, average 40 hours per week).
Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (with options to upgrade coverage).
$25,000 Life/AD&D policy (company-paid).
Optional short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Employer-provided mental health support resources.
Competitive PTO accrual and paid holidays.
TSA employees who serve terms greater than 52 weeks (with ≤30-day break between terms) become eligible for full Regular full-time employee benefits

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume