Description: In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting a Botanist to work cooperatively as part of a 6-person team to complete botany surveys for rare, threatened, and/or butterfly host plants in support of fuels reduction efforts on the SMNRA.
Located on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the SMNRA is over 316,000 acres with elevations ranging from 3,700 feet to over 11,900 at the peak of Mt. Charleston. The SMNRA Wilderness Urban Interface (WUI) project will cover close to 1500 acres. Primary duties will consist of belt transects and similar survey methods. Project site elevations will vary from 6,500 to 9,000 feet in elevation. The botanist will serve as the Lead for the Field Team as well as the main point of contact for GBI and SMNRA staff. The botanist is responsible for the scheduling, day-to-day oversight, and personnel management of five (5) AmeriCorps members. Additionally, the Botanist is responsible for ensuring that field survey and monitoring protocols are adhered to, that data are collected and recorded accurately, and that all pertinent information is reported to the USFS through written reports, maps and datasets. Opportunities to collaborate with other GBI crews supporting project work on the SMNRA may be possible. Compensation: o Hourly Rate = $17.00 o Daily field per diem o Medical and dental benefits o Housing - possible housing in USFS trailers located on Mt. Charleston (approx. 1-9 miles from project sites) OR monthly housing stipend Timeline: o May 09, 2011 October 16, 2011 o Full time, minimum 40 hours per week Location: o Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (approx. 25 miles North and West of Las Vegas, NV) Qualifications: Technical requirements: o Undergraduate or Graduate degree in botany, range ecology, or a closely related field in the biological sciences; o Coursework in plant taxonomy and/or systematics (transcripts may be requested); o Minimum 2 years of experience conducting botanical field work (field-based classes may be substituted for paid or volunteer field experience); o Previous experience managing and directing the field and/or lab technicians; o Knowledge of southwestern flora and fauna and/or ability to learn southwestern flora and fauna; o Experience using a technical plant key without pictures; o Experience conducting plant surveys using various protocols. Monitoring protocols include collecting repeat photography, and transect and quadrat systematic sampling; o Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and data collection experience with Trimble GPS units highly desired; o Experience creating maps, as well as managing and manipulating data using ArcGIS 9.3 or higher; and o Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project/grant reports. Additional requirements: o Possess a valid, state-issued drivers license and clean driving record; o Experience operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, including narrow, mountain forest roads; o Ability to lead and work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; o Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public; o Possess good organizational skills; o Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition; and o Pass National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) and federal criminal background checks. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Stacy Mitchell, GBI HR Assistant, at smitch...@thegreatbasininstitute.org. Please include where you found this position posted. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
