Native Seed Technician (USFWS/BLM/NPS, Lake Mead National Recreation Area)

Great Basin Institute • Boulder City, NV

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This project is under the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority, which requires applicants to meet age and US Citizen requirements (16-30 years old, or up to 35 for veterans). The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), is seeking up to three technicians to support native plant materials and climate adaptation initiatives. The role involves conducting targeted seed collections of eastern and western Joshua trees across their range on NPS lands. Technicians will assist with all aspects of Joshua tree scouting, monitoring, and seed collection, including mapping populations, photographing sites, collecting botanical vouchers, monitoring phenology, conducting seed collections following SOS protocols, recording and managing data electronically, performing quality control, processing and packaging seed, and completing reporting requirements. Additional responsibilities include maintaining field gear, conducting vehicle safety checks, driving project vehicles for long distances, traveling for extended periods (8-day overnight hitches), participating in partner trainings, reporting accomplishments, assisting with volunteer events, mapping disturbance areas, and providing logistical support for restoration and climate adaptation projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, ecology, plant science, taxonomy/systematics, or related discipline.
• Experience identifying desert plant species using keys.
• Experience with electronic data entry, QA/QC, and ESRI mobile applications.
• Proficiency using handheld GPS units, reading maps, and navigating with a compass.
• Ability to safely operate 4WD vehicles on rugged terrain.
• Willingness to work in variable and extreme conditions, including heat, wind, and remote desert landscapes.
• Ability to camp in undeveloped locations for up to 8 days.
• Experience living and working in backcountry or remote field conditions, including multi-day camping hitches.
• Capacity to bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods while collecting seed.
• Ability to lift heavy items such as gear bins or water containers.
• Flexibility to begin work early (e.g., 5 a.m.) based on heat, phenology, or team logistics.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to teamwork and safe field operations.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must be between 16 and 30 years old (or up to 35 for veterans) to qualify for the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Joshua tree ecology preferred.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro and ESRI apps (Field Maps, Survey123), beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Scouting for viable populations of eastern and western Joshua trees appropriate for seed collection.
• Mapping Joshua tree populations using ESRI applications such as Survey123, FieldMaps, and ArcGIS Online.
• Photographing populations, sites, and associated habitat conditions.
• Collecting botanical vouchers for herbarium verification and preparing vouchers for submission to regional and national herbaria.
• Monitoring phenology of Joshua tree populations to identify optimal flowering, fruiting, and seed maturation periods.
• Conducting operational and conservation seed collections following SOS protocols and park-specific considerations.
• Recording and managing data electronically using ESRI apps and (when necessary) paper forms.
• Performing quality control (QC) on scouting and collection data using ESRI apps and the SOS Geoplatform Data Management site.
• Conducting rough processing, cleaning preparation, and packaging/shipping seed to designated cleaning facilities.
• Completing SOS annual reporting requirements.
• Maintaining, tracking, and inventorying field gear.
• Conducting daily and monthly vehicle safety checks.
• Driving project vehicles (trucks, often on 4WD roads) for long distances, up to ten hours per day.
• Traveling between Joshua tree stands across the Mojave Basin and Range, often requiring 8-day overnight hitches.
• Participating in partner trainings hosted by GBI, NPS, and community collaborators.
• Reporting accomplishments and recommending improvements for program operations and future project priorities.
• Assisting with volunteer events focused on seed collection, nursery work, or species monitoring.
• Supporting additional vegetation monitoring, seed collection, and nursery work as needed across NPS units.
• Mapping disturbance areas, habitat characteristics, and other landscape features using ArcGIS Online, ArcPro, and ESRI mobile applications.
• Providing logistical and field support for restoration and climate adaptation projects.

Benefits

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance.
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost.
• Paid leave and holidays.
• Eligibility for pro deals through GBI, such as Outdoor Prolink and Black Diamond.
• Training provided; SOS Seeds Collection and Protocol training, Wilderness First Aid, Defensive driver's training (eligible for discounts on your personal vehicle insurance), report writing, and technical skills trainings.
• Opportunity to network with GBI and federal partners for career advancement.

What This Job Offers

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