Willamette Valley Project: Botany Interns

The USACE’s environmental stewardship mission includes managing and restoring critical wetland and upland prairie systems that support designated critical habitat for the Fender’s blue butterfly, Kincaid’s lupine, and Willamette daisy. The interns will assist with monitoring endangered plants, creating botanical species lists, and surveying for aquatic and sensitive plants. Additional duties will include removing invasive plants (including hand-pulling), assisting with nursery and greenhouse operations, collecting and processing seed, assisting with wildlife surveys, entering data, processing plant collections, and other duties as assigned.

Fender’s blue butterfly habitat monitoring (Lupine and nectar species) – 15%

Rare plant surveys with full species lists – 15%

Plant community monitoring – 10%

Invasive plant species mapping and removal – 10%

Seed collection and plant propagation – 10%

Willamette daisy monitoring – 10%

Bradshaw’s Lomatium monitoring – 10%

Data entry – 10%

Wildlife monitoring – 5%

Other duties as assigned – 5%

Minimum Qualifications:

· Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather

· Interest in botany and conservation

· Willingness and ability to work well independently and as a team

· Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs (day pack/bags of soil/plant trays)

· Ability to navigate by maps, aerial photos, compass, and GPS

· Effective written and verbal communication skills

· Attention to detail

· A positive attitude

· Knowledge of spreadsheets and word processing programs and willingness to bring your personal computer to the office to conduct office work

· Willingness to ride in and work from boats

· Valid driver’s license and the ability to report on time to the USACE Fern Ridge Lake office

· Knowledge of Northwestern U.S. plants and/or coursework in biology and botany

· Ability to track, inventory, and maintain USACE-provided field gear

Preferred qualifications:

·  Experience using ArcGIS and Field Maps applications

· Familiarity with technical plant identification methods including the use of dichotomous keys in regional floras of Washington, Oregon, or California

· Knowledge of manual techniques for managing non-native plants or trail crew experience

· Experience working in plant nurseries, agriculture, or gardening

Compensation amounts:

– $375 – weekly living allowance

– $40 weekly commuting allowance

– $950 – monthly housing allowance (12 months of housing)

– $2,500 duty travel reimbursement + one-time UP TO $650* reimbursable (to/from site for candidates outside the local area)

– Monthly Health insurance (optional for 12 months)

– AmeriCorps eligible ($6,495 education award for 1700 hours & completion of the internship)

*Internship positions with the US Army Corps of Engineers will receive the travel allowance as a reimbursable amount, reflecting the actual costs based upon distance (mileage) travelled and current federal per diem rates. Interns are required to submit an expense report to SCA with documented round-trip travel costs for reimbursement. The requested reimbursement amount is capped at $650.

https://www.thesca.org/serve/position/botany-interns/po-00734763

All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes

For SCA’s COVID-19 guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid

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