How to Apply:
Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal:
http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=PD&req=2019-ACI-002
Description:
In cooperation with the National Park Service and Capitol Reef National Park,
the Great Basin Institute is recruiting a Botany Technician to join our
AmeriCorps program. The Botany Technician will support the Capitol Reef
National Park Division of Resource Management & Science and serve as a member
of the rare plant monitoring crew assisting resource staff with surveys and
demographic monitoring of three federally listed plant species. Survey work
requires attention to detail, long hours in the field in remote areas of the
park, hiking off trail 2 to 10 miles per day, camping and possibly backpacking.
Office work consists of downloading data from the GPS units into an ArcGIS
geodatabase, labeling photos, and summarizing datasets in an Excel spreadsheet.
Primary survey responsibilities include:
conducting field work associated with rare plant surveys and demographic
monitoring; training in field data collection protocols and methodologies will
be provided. A general knowledge of plants of the southwest is helpful but is
not required. Field Team members will utilize Trimble GPS units to navigate to
field locations and to record data using data dictionaries. Upon return to the
office, Field Team members will use computer software, including MS Access,
Excel and ArcGIS, to organize, manage and summarize field data. Collectively,
the field team will manage and maintain gear, tools and other NPS equipment
needed to do the field work, as well as ensure that GBI and NPS safety
protocols are followed.
The Technician must be able to work well with other team members and ensure
that safety protocols are adhered to. The Technician will participate in
transporting the team and equipment safely on high clearance dirt roads in NPS
four-wheel drive vehicles and assist with completing weekly reporting of
accomplishments. The Technician will work to ensure that all AmeriCorps, GBI,
NPS policies are adhered to.
The Technician may also assist natural resource staff with spotted owl and
peregrine falcon surveys, invasive plant control and/or cultural resource
monitoring. Technicians will be supervised by the park Biologist.
A general knowledge of plants of the southwest would be helpful but is not
required. Survey work involves hiking off designated trails or routes, across
rugged terrain, up to 10 miles per day, but more typically 2-6 miles per day,
and may also require field camping and possibly backpacking. Weather conditions
will vary from cold winds or rain in the early spring to temperatures nearing
100° F in the summer. Other challenging field conditions include high winds and
gnats or other biting insects. Experience driving four-wheel drive vehicles on
high clearance, dirt roads would be beneficial, but is not essential.
Timeline:
18-week appointment (March 25, 2019-July 26, 2019)
Compensation:
Living Allowance: $8,432.00 (allocated biweekly)
Education Award: $2,255.24 (May be used for past, present or future educational
expenses, including payment of qualifying federal student loans.)
No-cost medical, dental and vision benefits provided
Housing: The Park will provide housing in a 5-6-bedroom dormitory. The intern
will have a private room with a shared bath, shared kitchen and common areas.
The dormitory includes all appliances, coin-operated washer and dryer, some
kitchen pots, pans and dishes, and internet service. Heat, electricity and
water are included. A phone is available in each dorm and long distance calls
can be made with a calling card. Housing is located approximately a 5-minute
walk from the duty station.
Location:
Capitol Reef National Park is located near Torrey, UT. The location is remote.
The nearest gas station is 10 miles away and the nearest grocery store is
approximately 30 miles away. A personal vehicle is required for
travel/transport outside of work. There is currently no cell service in housing
or near the duty station and it is spotty in other locations. Reliable cellular
service is usually only found when nearing Torrey. The intern should find
living in a remote location desirable. Located in the heart of red rock
country, Capitol Reef NP is filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges. In
addition to unique geological resources, the park also has a rich cultural
history.
Qualifications:
Technical requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Plant Taxonomy or other related field, or
combination of related coursework in and direct experience and knowledge of
plant taxonomy and ecology, including use of technical botanical keys
(dichotomous plant key without pictures);
Familiarity with plants of the Colorado Plateau, including rare, sensitive,
threatened and endangered plants, preferable;
Familiarity with, or proven ability and desire to learn, specific State and
Federal laws and Park Service policies related to plants;
Experience (one year) conducting floristic field surveys or vegetation
monitoring (e.g., repeat photography, or transect and quadrat systematic
sampling);
Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and data
collection;
Knowledge of GIS software (highly desirable, but not required);
Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project/grant
reports;
Experience using digital cameras and computer software (e.g., Microsoft Word,
Access, Excel); and
Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal
resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award
(limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education
awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal
criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of
conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any
prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
Additional requirements:
Ability to work productively both independently and as part of a team to
accomplish mutual goals;
Ability to communicate effectively with team members, GBI and agency staff, and
a diverse public;
Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging,
bending over, hauling material, hiking);
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;
Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field, if necessary;
Good organizational skills; and
Valid, state-issued driver’s license; clean driving record; and ability to
safely operate a 4WD truck on paved and unpaved roads, including narrow,
mountain forest roads.
How to Apply:
Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal:
http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=PD&req=2019-ACI-002
