Lead Botany Technician - Tahoe National Forest

EPIC • Nevada City, CA

5d

About The Position

Lead Botany Technician - Tahoe National Forest, Westzone Summary American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking Lead Botany Technicians to contribute to botanical survey projects alongside Tahoe National Forest Staff For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: April 6, 2026 ( 04/06/2026) with flexibility for later start date. Estimated End: Fall 2026 a 16-week minimum commitment is required Location Details/Description: Tahoe National Forest, Westzone (Nevada City, California) The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service. Nevada City is a vibrant town alongside Grass Valley, CA with excellent access to trails, ski resorts, and world class rafting and swimming holes. Nevada City has a flourishing arts scene, hosts excellent concerts and music festivals, and has many restaurants and shopping areas. The Sacramento metro area is within an hour's drive for urban amenities. For more information about this area, please visit the Tahoe National Forest website. Position Overview: The Lead Botany Technicians will plan, coordinate logistics, and train Botany Technicians in all activities related to conducting weed management and targeted botanical surveys for rare and invasive plants and the habitats. They will coordinate with the USFS Botanists in planning and strategizing data collection tasks. With the Botany Technicians, they will create reports summarizing field data for use in habitat and species condition analyses. 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.
• A foundational knowledge of botany and plant identification is required for this position, and willingness to learn additional key skills.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, and have experience with botany, either in the field or through coursework. Individuals with Master's degrees are welcomed to apply.
• 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 perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS, mobile devices, and digital and paper maps
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals
• Experience driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely in off-road conditions
• 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.
• Competency in data entry work, summarizing and compiling data
• Leadership experience, especially in regards to safety and conflict resolution

Responsibilities

• Conduct floristic surveys and targeted surveys for rare and invasive plants within project areas, typically covering one to three thousand acres 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 global positioning systems (GPS), aerial photographs, topographic maps, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or compass in navigationUses computer systems and associated software for recording, organizing, storing, and summarizing data.
• Perform physical labor and daily hiking, often to remote locations in rugged terrain, sometimes under adverse weather conditions.
• Enter data and track data 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
• Assist with herbicide application under the supervision of the USFS Botanist, a California certified pesticide applicator
• Plan botanical surveys using spatial data and habitat information.
• Train Botany crew and volunteers in protocols, botanical identification, and data management.
• Manages and quality check data collected by Botany crew throughout the season.
• Manage the daily safety, planning and logistics of crew.
• Enter finalized data into USFS database.
• Take direction from USFS Botanists and set work priorities in collaboration with USFS Botanists and other Botany Lead Technicians

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1,010/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. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.
• Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available at a daily bunk rate of approximately $7-20 per day by the Forest. Barracks housing provided by the Forest is typically located 30-45 minutes from the daily reporting location and are typically in remote locations with limited connectivity. A Housing Allowance of up to $280/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.
• 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. Eligible gear for this position may include boots, work pants, hiking socks, and must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.
• 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. All ACE Botany team members will receive training on performing USFS Survey and data entry protocols. ACE crew leads will be supported by the USFS Botanists in performing their leadership roles. 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: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees