Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2020 20:20:41
From: privateemail70490@community.esa.org
Subject: Job Posting: Native Seed Technicians in UT, ID, and NV
Seeds of Success Native Seed Technician
Position Background: The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition is hiring six (6) native seed technicians to work as part of the Bureau of Land ManagementÃf¢ÒÂEURÃ’Â(tm)s (BLM) Seeds of Success (SOS) program. Technicians will conduct surveys to locate source populations for seed, collect data on population characteristics, and collect seed for use in rehabilitation efforts while working closely with federal staff and other partners. The projectÃf¢ÒÂEURÃ’Â(tm)s main goal is to increase the regional availability of native seed for large scale rehabilitation projects in collaboration with the BLM, Great Basin Native Plant Project, and other partners. Positions will be located in BLM offices, and are available in three different locations:
Marsing, ID (2)
Elko, NV (2)
Salt Lake City, UT (2)
The positionÃf¢ÒÂEURÃ’Â(tm)s expected start date is late April and will continue until August/September.
Native Seed Technician Position Description: Native seed techniciansÃf¢ÒÂEURÃ’Â(tm) primary responsibilities include identifying, scouting and collecting native seed from target species populations, following rigorous SOS data collection protocols, and completing associated data sheets. This will involve identifying plants to species, collecting data on soil attributes, and assessing areas for overall landscape characteristics. Technicians will use tablets loaded with GIS software as well as paper datasheets for data collection. In addition to the collection of seed, herbarium voucher specimens, tissue samples for molecular analysis, and associated metadata will be collected from each population.
Scouting populations will involve driving and hiking through mountains and valleys of the Great Basin, while monitoring the phenology of target populations. Driving will be on a mix of roads, ranging from highways to rugged 2-track dirt roads. Technicians will utilize 4WD trucks as well as possibly UTVs to navigate backcountry roads. Towing a trailer may occasionally be necessary when utilizing UTVs (Marsing, ID district only).
This is primarily a field position with about 5-10% office work. Individuals must be able to hike up to 4 miles a day carrying a 30 pound pack, drive several hours a day on rugged two-track roads, camp in remote backcountry settings, and work 10+ hours a day in variable, sometimes extreme temperatures (30Ãf’Ò° – 100Ãf’Ò°F). The work will require repeated bending over for long periods of time. Technicians will be trained on SOS protocols, plants of the Great Basin, general field safety and more.
Schedule: Technicians will primarily work a 4 day on 3 day off work schedule depending on seed readiness at any given time.
Desired Qualifications
– BachelorÃf¢ÒÂEURÃ’Â(tm)s degree or working towards one in botany, biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resources or related field
– Experience identifying plant species using dichotomous keys; plant taxonomy coursework a plus
– Interest in learning about the Great Basin, its plant species, and rehabilitation efforts
– Willingness to live and work outdoors in a highly variable desert climate for 4-8 days at a time
– Ability to follow rigorous standardized protocols and record detailed notes
– Ability to work effectively in small group settings
– Ability to bend over and kneel repeatedly, conducting tedious tasks for several hours at a time
– Valid driverÃf¢ÒÂEURÃ’Â(tm)s license; 4WD experience helpful
– UTV/trailer towing experience a huge plus (Idaho district only)
– A passion for the outdoors and conservation work
Compensation: $16.50/hour, plus a camping per diem of $38 per day when camping
Final deadline for applications is Monday, January 4th, 2021, however applications will be reviewed as they are received. Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to Patrick Hellmann at phellmann@envlc.org. Questions regarding the position may also be sent to the above email address.