Botany Technician (Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • South Lake Tahoe, CA

4d • $27 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (CA/NV) The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service is recruiting experienced Botany Technician positions to support all aspects of the special status plant conservation, invasive plant management, and native plant materials programs on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. This posting establishes a talent pool for seasonal botany positions active from May - October. Projects focus on plant community assessments and monitoring, rare and sensitive plant surveys, invasive species monitoring and control, and native seed collection.

Requirements

• Experience conducting botanical field surveys, including rare plant surveys, using US Forest Service or similar protocols.
• Strong understanding of and experience conducting standard botanical survey methods, vegetation assessments, and habitat characterization, with the ability to ensure consistent application across field crews.
• Ability to identify plants using dichotomous keys to the species or subspecies level and support others in accurate identification.
• Experience implementing, overseeing, and ensuring compliance with established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols through digital data collection platforms.
• Proficiency in GPS navigation, map reading, and supporting map production for survey and monitoring efforts.
• Physical ability for fieldwork in remote areas, including overnight camping if necessary.
• Ability to coordinate daily field operations, manage crew safety, and adapt work plans in response to field conditions and project needs.
• Ability to work both independently and self-directed as well as under the direction of a fellow crew member as delegated.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and project partners.
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Botany, or a related field with fieldwork experience OR three seasons of botany fieldwork experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using the Seeds of Success protocol or other best practices for seed collection desired.
• Experience leading crews in the field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead field crews in botanical surveys to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions, factors affecting vigor and map extent of species and their habitat.
• Manage crew safety, coordinate daily tasks, and ensure data collection adheres to USFS management protocols.
• Conduct desktop spatial exercise to review survey areas for suitable sensitive plant habitat and develop survey plans.
• Determine appropriate invasive plant management methods by species, site conditions, and infestation size.
• Select and scout appropriate seed collection sites to achieve quality collections.
• Lay out and measure monitoring plots.
• Photograph or collect specimens as directed.
• Produce maps of survey areas.
• Record data in ESRI FieldMaps and Survey 123, enter data into USFS corporate database, and summarize data
• Use botanical keys to identify plants
• Provide guidance to partners and contractors completing work on behalf of the USFS
• Administrative duties such as meeting with GBI staff, leading report writing, receipt management, managing equipment inventory, and managing crew members and team dynamics
• Additional tasks may include survey equipment setup, data quality assurance, and training.

Benefits

• Wage: $26.54/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate.
• Full time, average 40 hours per week
• Housing provided at no cost.
• In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time, onsite position includes company-paid premium comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy.
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members.
• Mental health support resources are employer provided, competitive PTO accrual, and paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

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