Individual Placement - Botany Crew Member at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI)

Student Conservation Association•Ajo, AZ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Botany Crew Member will support the botany program at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI) in Ajo, Arizona, contributing to vegetation monitoring, invasive species management, and landscape restoration. The role primarily involves fieldwork throughout the monument, including backcountry settings and areas along the international border. The position is scheduled from January 4, 2027, through April 16, 2027, for 40 hours per week. The field assistant will have a private room in shared park housing, sharing the house with up to three other residents and a bathroom with one other person. Housing is furnished and provided at no charge. The housing is approximately 35 miles from the nearest grocery store in Ajo. Compensation includes a $720 weekly housing allowance and a one-time $1,100 round-trip travel allowance. Allowances are subject to applicable taxes. Driving a motor vehicle for the partner agency or organization is required. The position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority; eligible service hours may count toward the PLC hiring authority. Applicants must meet the stated age and citizenship or residency criteria and have, obtain, or be enrolled toward a high school diploma or equivalent.

Requirements

Experience using handheld GPS, maps, and a compass for field navigation and data collection.
Ability to perform manual physical labor, including bending and stooping for up to 10 hours per day while exposed to the elements, and occasionally lift or move 50 pounds or more.
Effective written and oral communication skills with a broad audience.
Ability to live and work in rural and remote field and office settings.
Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver's license and meet partner driving requirements.
Must be between ages 16 and 30 inclusive, or a veteran age 35 or younger.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, agree to obtain one, or be enrolled in an institution of higher education.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting fieldwork in a desert environment.
Familiarity with Sonoran Desert flora and/or experience identifying plants to species using a dichotomous key.
A degree or coursework in botany, ecology, natural resources, or a related field.
Familiarity with desktop and mobile mapping software, including Avenza, ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, AGOL, Field Maps, and Survey123.

Responsibilities

Map and document invasive plant populations, hand-pull invasive plants, and assist with herbicide application under the supervision of a certified applicator.
Water and maintain nursery stock; propagate native plants for restoration outplanting; assist with germination trials; and maintain the compost pile.
Restore illegal off-road vehicle routes through raking, vertical mulching, planting and watering native plants, installing and replacing restoration signs and t-posts, installing erosion barriers, and operating trail cameras to monitor site reuse.
Assist with surveys for rare and endangered plant species.
Assist with invasive plant removal and vegetation maintenance at Quitobaquito Springs to keep trails and the spring channel in good condition.
Record field data using a variety of devices and assist with data entry.
As appropriate, assist other Resource Division programs, including wildlife biology, physical sciences, cultural resources, and ecological monitoring.
Drive a motor vehicle for the partner agency or organization.