Job Details

We are opening this requisition early to identify strong candidates ahead of the main hiring season, with active recruitment expected from January through early February as partnership agreements with participating National Forests are finalized. Early applicants will be among the first considered once positions officially open, and applications will be reviewed for all available locations, with stated preferences taken into account.

USFS, California, Idaho, Nevada

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service is recruiting Botany Crew positions to support the study and review of proposed actions in National Forests in the Western U.S.

This posting establishes a talent pool for seasonal botany positions typically active from early spring through fall (generally April-November). Projects focus on plant community assessments, rare and sensitive plant surveys, invasive species monitoring, and habitat condition evaluations, with assignments varying by forest location and project needs.

Lead - Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Lead field crews in botanical surveys to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions, factors affecting vigor and extent of species and their habitat;
• Manage crew safety, coordinate daily tasks, and ensure data collection adheres to USFS management protocols.
• Lay out monitoring plots;
• Photograph or collect specimens as directed;
• Produce maps of survey areas;
• Record, enter and summarize data;
• Use botanical keys to identify plants;
• Administrative duties such as meeting with GBI staff, leading report writing, receipt management, managing crew members and team dynamics; and
• Additional tasks may include survey equipment setup, data quality assurance, and training.

Technician - Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Conducting botanical surveys to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions, factors affecting vigor, and the extent of species and their habitats.
• Laying out monitoring plots.
• Photographing or collecting specimens as directed.
• Producing maps of survey areas.
• Recording, entering, and summarizing data.
• Using botanical keys to identify plants.
• Supervise contractors work for the USFS
• Assisting with reporting tasks as needed.

LOCATION

Various National Forests: Sequoia, Eldorado, LTBMU, Tahoe, Mendocino, Six Rivers, Inyo, Klamath, Stanislaus, Plumas, Lassen, Boise & Payette, Humboldt-Toiyabe (NV) National Forests

WORK SCHEDULE

Projects begin as early as March and end as late as November. Season schedules are project specific.

Most Botany Crew positions follow 10 hour days, 4 days a week schedule. Some crews may work 8 days on 4 days off schedules.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Lead Wage: $26/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week

Tech Wage: $21/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week

Housing provided for most positions.

In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time,onsite position includes company-paid premium comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members. Mental health support resources are employer provided, competitive PTO accrual, and paid holidays. This exciting role contributes to GBI's significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

TSA employees who serve a term under 52 weeks in duration, and have a thirty (30) day or less break between terms, and then sign a second term that (cumulatively) becomes greater than 52 weeks of employment, will be eligible for the >1-year TSA benefits (equivalent to Regular full-time employees)

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Lead - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience conducting botanical field surveys, including rare plant surveys
• Strong understanding of and experience conducting standard botanical survey methods, vegetation assessments, and habitat characterization, with the ability to ensure consistent application across field crews
• Ability to identify plants using technical keys to the species or subspecies level and support others in accurate identification
• Experience implementing, overseeing, and ensuring compliance with established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols
• Proficiency in GPS navigation, map reading, and supporting map production for survey and monitoring efforts
• Physical ability for fieldwork in remote areas, including overnight camping if necessary
• Ability to coordinate daily field operations, manage crew safety, and adapt work plans in response to field conditions and project needs
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and project partners
• Physical ability to lead fieldwork in remote areas, including overnight camping if necessary
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver's license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads
• Experience leading crews in the field preferred

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Botany, or a related field with fieldwork experience OR three seasons of botany fieldwork experience.

Technician - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience conducting botanical field surveys, including rare plant surveys, under established project guidance
• Familiarity with standard field methods for botanical surveys, vegetation assessments, and habitat characterization
• Ability to identify plants using technical keys to the species or subspecies level, with support as needed
• Ability to accurately implement established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols
• Skills in GPS navigation and map reading
• Physical ability for fieldwork in remote areas, including overnight camping if necessary
• Ability to follow field instructions, work safely, and contribute effectively to team-based field projects
• Effective communication skills for coordination with multidisciplinary teams
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver's license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Botany, or a related field with fieldwork experience OR one season of botany fieldwork experience.

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.