Rare Care Field Technician 2

University of Washington Medical Center

2d•$22 - $26

About The Position

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation (Rare Care) has a position available for a Rare Care Field Technician 2. Position Description: The qualified individual will assist with fieldwork for collecting seeds of rare native plants for long-term seedbanking. Seed collections will occur in central and eastern Washington State, primarily in shrub steppe ecosystems of the Columbia Basin. The Field Technician will work independently and occasionally in a crew of two people in rural and undeveloped areas that may require up to eight miles of hiking a day. The Technician may learn the local flora, build botanical knowledge, and build skills in collecting ecological data. Strong applicants will be passionate about the botanical world and other natural systems and demonstrate a willingness to share that passion and knowledge with other team members. Specific duties include: Collect seeds of rare native plant populations for ex situ seed banking Map and record populations with handheld GPS units Prepare seed collecting reports and Arc GIS maps to document collections Process seeds for long term storage Identify plants to species using botanical dichotomous keys Assist with day-to-day field logistics and maintain field equipment Perform field data collection, data entry, and QA/QC Duration and Schedule: Approximately 40 hours a week from March 16 through August 31, 2026. The field work schedule is typically 10 hours a day, four days per week. Location: This position is located at the Center of Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens in Seattle and field sites are located near Wenatchee, Richland and Ritzville, WA. Overnight travel will be required. When working at field sites lodging/camping will be provided and travel (mileage, food) will be reimbursed. Lodging is not provided in Seattle.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Science; OR two years of college-level work in engineering or science plus two years of experience equivalent to Research Aide I, OR four years of experience equivalent to Research Aide I. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Undergraduate coursework in botany, biology, environmental science or a related field.
Ability to work and travel outdoors in variable weather including extreme heat, heavy rain and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions) while maintaining a positive to neutral attitude.
Capable of standing and walking (up to 8 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time.
Lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 30 pounds.
Current or ability to obtain CPR and First Aid training.
Self-motivated and able to serve independently with limited supervision after the initial training period.
Able to work cooperatively with others and strong communication skills.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in botany, biology, environmental science or a related field or equivalent experience.
Experience with standard vegetation sampling techniques and familiarity with basic field sampling equipment.
Experience with working and traveling in remote areas.
Familiarity with the flora and ecosystems of Washington State and use of dichotomous keys.
The applicant should be able to maneuver and operate in a mixture of office and fieldwork.