JOB TITLE: Science Technician I =96 Plants Crew Leader
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt SUPERVISOR: Ellsworth Creek Ecologist NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1 DATE: January 11, 2008 =20 =20 POSITION BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY:=20 =20 The Science Technician I =96 Plants Crew Leader will participate in researc= h efforts that further The Nature Conservancy=92s terrestrial and aquatic r= estoration goals at the Conservancy=92s Ellsworth Creek Preserve and throug= hout southwestern Washington. A pivotal question for restoration concerns t= he role old-growth forest remnants play in supporting biological diversity = across the existing young-managed forest landscape. It is unknown if old-gr= owth forest patches serve as =93lifeboats=94 for biological diversity, and,= if so, how placement of these stands across the landscape affects recoloni= zation and recovery of managed forests. To investigate these questions, the= Conservancy is conducting a study to characterize elements of biological d= iversity within remnant old-growth forest patches and young, managed forest= stands at Ellsworth Creek and other areas throughout the Willapa Hills of = southwestern Washington.=20 =20 The Science Technician I =96 Plants Crew Leader will partake in a rigorous = survey of overstory and understory vegetation that is intended to provide a= n assessment of forest composition and structure in old-growth and young, m= anaged forests. Work involves installing and sampling plots in riparian and= /or upland old-growth and managed forests. The nature of the work requires = extended periods in the field (typically 9-11 hour days), often in inclemen= t weather. The crew will be based in southwestern Washington, near the town= s of Long Beach and possibly Bay Center and/or South Bend. Camping at sites= for several days may occasionally be required. This is a full-time, non-ex= empt position supervised by the Ellsworth Creek Ecologist. This position is= expected to start June 9, 2008, and continue through September 26, 2008 (d= ates slightly flexible).=20 =20 =20 =20 DUTIES: =20 1. Serve as part of a seasonal vegetation crew (crew leader plus thre= e technicians) responsible for conducting vegetation surveys in permanent p= lots according to an established protocol. =20 2. Supervise and efficiently coordinate activities for seasonal veget= ation crew (including finding and reserving camping sites or other housing = arrangements). =20 3. Act as liaison between vegetation crew and Ellsworth Creek Ecologi= st. =20 4. Assist with identification of appropriate study sites. =20 5. Assist with location and installation of plots. =20 6. Identify and estimate abundance of understory herbs, shrubs, grass= es/sedges/rushes, seedlings, and saplings.=20 =20 7. Estimate abundance of non-vascular plants and substrate. =20 8. Measure large woody debris and stumps. =20 9. Measure overstory tree diameters, heights, and live crowns. =20 10. Conduct surveys for mistletoe infestation. =20 11. Collect macrolichen litterfall. =20 12. Use taxonomic keys and dissecting scope to identify unknown plant spe= cies. =20 13. Prepare electronic data loggers for data collection in the field. =20 14. Check data for accuracy and completeness. =20 15. Enter data and manage electronic data files. =20 16. Oversee bi-weekly completion of timesheets and other administrative t= asks by crew. =20 17. Perform miscellaneous office tasks (e.g., organizing equipment, liche= n collections, etc.). =20 18. May occasionally assist with coordination and planning of field effor= ts and administrative tasks for other Ellsworth Creek field crews and super= vision of interns and/or volunteers. =20 =20 =20 REQUIREMENTS: =20 1. Bachelor=92s degree in botany, ecology, biology, forestry, or clos= ely related field.=20 =20 2. Previous field experience in sampling forest overstory and underst= ory vegetation.=20 =20 3. Experience identifying flora in the Pacific Northwest.=20 =20 4. Ability to utilize a taxonomic key. =20 =20 5. Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate and complete field = related activities. =20 6. Experience collecting and/or identifying lichens helpful, but not = required. =20 7. Experience using an electronic data logger preferred. =20 8. Demonstrated orienteering experience, including the use of topogra= phic maps, aerial photography, and global positioning systems (GPS).=20 =20 9. Basic computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Excel. = Experience with GIS preferred. =20 10. Excellent communication skills, flexibility, and ability to work effe= ctively as a team member.=20 =20 11. Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail. Ability to= manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to meet project deadlines. =20 12. Excellent physical condition and a good sense of humor.=20 =20 13. Valid driver=92s license required. Experience driving on forest roads= and using a 4-wheel drive vehicle preferred. =20 14. Demonstrated commitment to the preservation of biological diversity. =20 =20 =20 =20 WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT: =20 Work requires long (10+ hour) days of physical exertion such as hiking with= heavy field gear over extremely steep terrain and through dense vegetation= and logging slash. Work is often done in remote, isolated areas and in ver= y inclement (rainy, cold, and windy) weather conditions. =20 Crew leader will likely work approximately 1-5 hours of overtime per week o= rganizing field crew, identifying unknown species, and downloading and revi= ewing data.=20 =20 Work weeks will typically consist of four 10-hour days. However, some days = may extend longer due to the need to finish sampling in one location. This = is generally compensated with subsequent shorter days. In addition, due to = remoteness of some areas and the need to camp, some work weeks may extend l= onger than four days. These weeks will be compensated with shorter subseque= nt work weeks and/or more days off.=20 =20 Camping at some sites will be required. Developed campgrounds will be used = when available, but camping may also occur at undeveloped sites (i.e., no r= unning water). Camping in rainy, cold weather is highly probable. =20 =20 =20 =20 LODGING: =20 Crew members are expected to live together during the work week, either at = camp sites (developed and undeveloped) or in group housing provided by the = Conservancy. Private space will be provided when available, but is not guar= anteed. Employees are expected to maintain clean and organized living space= s.=20 =20 The Conservancy will also try to provide lodging facilities for crews durin= g non-work days throughout the season. Lodging during non-work days will li= kely consist of a combination of group housing and camping at developed cam= p sites. This will require people to be flexible and accepting of a somewha= t mobile lifestyle. Any lodging paid for by the Conservancy during non-work= days is considered a taxable benefit (i.e., employees must pay tax on the = cost of lodging). Lodging cannot be provided for spouses/partners, children= or other dependents, or pets. =20 =20 SALARY:=20 =20 $14 / hour =20 =20 =20 TO APPLY: =20 Send resume, cover letter (include dates of availability), and a list of th= ree references by March 14, 2008 to address below: (In cover letter, pleas= e indicate if you are interested in being on the crew if not selected as cr= ew leader.) =20 =20 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] =20 State =93Hiring Committee: Science Technician I =96= Plants Crew Leader=94 in subject heading. =20 OR =20 Regular mail: The Nature Conservancy=20 Washington Field Office Hiring Committee: Science Technician I - Plants 1 C= rew Leader ATTN: Shauna Staukerbaum 1917 First Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 =20 DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL - YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE RECIEVED!!!!! =20 =20 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY is an AFFIRMATIVE ACTION and EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLO= YER _________________________________________________________________ Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail=AE-get yo= ur "fix". http://www.msnmobilefix.com/Default.aspx=