Botany Technician - Tahoe National Forest

EPIC • Nevada City, CA

5d

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking Botany Technicians to contribute to botanical survey projects alongside Tahoe National Forest Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. The Botany Technician position will take direction from Lead Botany Technicians and USFS Botanists in conducting botanical surveys, weed management, field data documentation, and data entry. All Technicians on the Botany crew will work both independently and as a team to coordinate work efforts, conduct botanical field surveys, summarize survey findings, manage field equipment, discuss technical problems encountered or anticipated during project work, and create a safe work culture. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Requirements

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field and/or have relevant experience with botany, either in the field or through coursework.
• Knowledge of botany and plant identification and willingness to learn additional key skills
• Knowledge of basic taxonomic principles and characteristics of major plant families and experience using taxonomic keys
• Knowledge of the technical processes, procedures and techniques related to biological science samples, measurements, and analysis
• Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS, mobile devices, and digital and paper maps
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete survey tasks
• Experience hiking over remote, steep, and rocky terrain in adverse weather conditions (cold/hot temps, light rain, etc.)
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel/Word, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online (AGOL) and AGOL applications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct floristic surveys and targeted surveys for rare and invasive plants within project areas, typically covering one to three thousand acres per person in a season.
• Collect survey and inventory data to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions and factors affecting the vigor and extent of the species and their habitat.
• Use botanical keys and field guides to identify plants encountered during surveys.
• Collect and maintain detailed documentation of field data.
• Compile and summarize data obtained from surveys, inventories, biological evaluations and monitoring, and produces reports that summarize findings, which are used in Forest Service Botanists' analysis of projects occurring on Forest Service lands.
• Use computer systems and associated software for recording, organizing, storing, and summarizing data.
• Use global positioning systems (GPS), aerial photographs, topographic maps, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or compass in navigation
• Perform physical labor and daily hiking, often to remote locations in rugged terrain, sometimes under adverse weather conditions
• Enter data and track data entry using MS Word, MS Excel, ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, and USFS databases.
• Assist with a full range of technical assignments related to seasonal invasive plant management activity on US Forest Service lands
• Assess invasive plant population parameters, including size, distribution, and phenology to inform decisions about appropriate control tactics and treatment prioritization
• Perform manual invasive plant treatments such as hand-pulling, using hand tools, and using power tools
• May assist with herbicide application under the supervision of the USFS Botanist, a California certified pesticide applicator

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $895/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service.
• Housing Allowance of up to $280/week will be available
• Gear Allowance: New ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases, and returning members or FS employees will have up to $250.
• Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.
• ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible training/professional development opportunities, which must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees