Title: Botanist / Wetland Assistant
Work Location: Utah Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, UT
Pay Rate: $14-18/hour, depending on qualifications
Closing Date: Applications received by April 17 will be reviewed
initially, but applications will be received until
position is filled
Employment Period: This seasonal position will start between May 22
and June 15, depending on availability, and last
through the end of December
Position Description: The Utah Geological Survey seeks to hire a
botanist to participate in wetland research. The incumbent will
primarily work on a project to evaluate wetland health and help refine a
field assessment protocol. The incumbent will collect data on plant
community composition and work with a team member to evaluate
hydrologic, physical, and other components of wetland health with a
series of qualitative metrics. The incumbent may also participate in
other field projects, including wetland mapping and inventorying springs
and streams. Work days will typically consist of four 10+ hour
days/week. In the fall and winter, the incumbent will help identify
plant specimens in the office, assist with data entry/data checking, and
other tasks as needed. The position is based out of Salt Lake City and
housing is not provided. This position is a great opportunity to visit
seldom-seen parts of Utah and to develop expertise in a variety of
wetland types across the state.
Duties:
1. Reliably identify plants (both in field and with a microscope)
and plant communities within Utah wetlands. Collect and prepare unknown
plant specimens for later identification and storage.
2. Aid in the collection of wetland condition data. Evaluate sites
for the presence of stressors. Use landscape and local site data to
evaluate hydrologic, physical, and biotic components of wetland health
following set protocols with attention to detail.
3. Prepare for field surveys by attending trainings, preparing site
information, organizing field gear, and planning field travel.
4. Use GPS and provided maps, to drive to and from field sites and
navigate to survey sites via roads, trails, and off-road through dense
vegetation while maintaining crew safety
5. Other duties as needed.
Qualifications:
1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree, or three years of coursework
in botany, ecology, biology, wetland science, or other related field.
2. Two or more seasons of field experience in positions requiring
identification of plant species; one season can be substituted by plant
taxonomy coursework.
3. Ability to use dichotomous keys to identify species including
species in difficult groups such as Cyperaceae and Poaceae. Knowledge
of Utah or western US flora and of wetland flora preferred.
4. Knowledge of data collection procedures and ability to collect
data with attention to detail.
5. Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules
(including overnights), travel extensively, drive a State of Utah
vehicle, hike moderate distances through occasionally rough terrain, and
tolerate exposure to extreme heat, rain, biting insects, and other field
nuisances.
6. Experience with map making in ArcGIS, or willingness to learn
7. Preference given to candidates with experience working in
wetland or riparian systems.
To apply, submit resume, cover letter, and three references (with phone
numbers) to Miles McCoy-Sulentic, Wetlands Assistant, at the Utah
Geological Survey, mccoy-sulen...@utah.gov. Please indicate the title
of the position you are applying for and whether you have any
constraints on your availability. You may direct all questions to this
email.
