Seasonal Botanical Technician

Colorado State University•Hilo, HI

1d•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Seasonal Botanical Technician works in the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) at CSU. This role is located at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii. The work site is located about 45 minutes from Hilo and Kona. The Seasonal Botanical Technician supports management of native and non-native plant species. The technician primarily works as part of a field crew, but may also work alone. The position is primarily field work (90%) with about 10% office time. This position is contingent on funding.

Requirements

BS/BA in botany, natural resource management, environmental science, or closely related natural science OR two years of related work experience in these areas can be substituted for the educational requirement.
Experience with monitoring and/or managing plant species.
Demonstrated experience working in remote field locations; ability to walk up to 5 miles per day in rugged terrain carrying materials and supplies under all weather conditions.
Working knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office Suite.
Must be able to repetitively lift 50 lbs.
Have a State of Hawaii Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification or ability to pass applicator exam and obtain within 3months of employment. Must maintain Hawaii State Pesticide Applicator’s certification throughout employment.
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
Participate in occasional overnight camping at remote work sites up to 3 nights at a time.
Must be able to comply with all applicable regulations to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC); required at a minimum to complete a NACI/SF85 and successfully pass a federal background check to remain eligible for employment.
Legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Nice To Haves

Experience monitoring plant species and vegetation communities in Hawaii, including plant identification and the use of dichotomous keys.
Experience managing invasive weeds around threatened and endangered plants in Hawaii using chemical and mechanical control techniques.
Experience operating, maintaining, and safely using vegetation management equipment, including line trimmers, backpack sprayers, chainsaws, and similar tools.
Experience with native plant restoration activities, including seed collection, propagation, site preparation, outplanting, and maintenance of restoration sites and plants.
Experience using handheld GPS units and mobile data collection devices for field navigation and data collection.
Demonstrated ability to compile scientific information regarding plant species and communicate effectively through strong oral, written, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment; experience working on military installations or prior military service is desirable.
Current or previous State of Hawaii Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification and experience driving 4-wheel-drive vehicles on unimproved roads.

Responsibilities

Inventory and survey plant populations, with an emphasis on threatened and endangered species, using GPS-enabled mobile data devices to navigate to sites, collect data, and conduct transect surveys.
Survey, monitor, and control incipient, invasive, and highly invasive plant species, including applying mechanical and chemical control measures to protect threatened and endangered plant populations within defined management areas.
Evaluate and manage emerging threats to rare plants and outplants, including invertebrate pests and seed predators; collect seeds, prepare planting sites, conduct outplanting activities, and maintain outplanting sites and plants.
Enter, edit, and perform quality control on field data, while maintaining field gear, equipment, vehicles, and facilities to support program operations.
Participate in team meetings, provide feedback and recommendations to supervisors regarding resource conditions and follow-up actions, and perform other duties as assigned.