COLORADO NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM Position Announcement:
TITLE: Ecology and Botany Field Technicians Temporary Research Associate I NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 10-20 (temporary) WORK LOCATIONS: Statewide Colorado PAY RATE: $1600 - $2400/month DURATION: 2-4 months (approx. May September) Summary of All Positions: The Colorado Natural Heritage Program seeks experienced ecology and botany field technicians for summer field projects. All projects require field botany or field ecology skills. Knowledge of plant taxonomy and species identification required and experience identifying Colorado flora preferred. Specific positions available include: Great Sand Dunes Vegetation Ecology Positions: Several field technicians are needed to fill ecology positions for the 2008 summer field season. Successful applicants will sample vegetation communities in support of a vegetation mapping project on Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA). The project area encompasses 413,000 acres in and around this newly created National Park located in the San Luis Valley of South Central Colorado. Field technicians will navigate to remote plot locations and document plant community characteristics. Plot work will occur throughout this very diverse ecosystem that includes everything from high elevation desert shrublands to alpine tundra. Wetland Ecology Positions for the Rio Grande Headwaters Project: Field technicians will be responsible for collecting data in wetlands within the Rio Grande Headwaters basin of southern Colorado (San Luis Valley, San Juan Mtns, and Sangre de Cristo Mtns) as part of a larger statewide strategy for protecting and restoring wetlands in Colorado. Data will be collected using both rapid assessment tools (e.g. Floristic Quality Assessment and Ecological Integrity Assessment) and more in-depth surveys (Vegetation Index of Biotic Integrity). Fieldwork will involve extensive collection of vegetation, soil, and environmental data, and detailed completion of field survey forms. Successful applicants will navigate to randomly selected wetlands throughout the basin, often in remote areas that require multi-day trips into the backcountry. Wetland Ecologist Position for the North Platte River Watershed: The field ecologist will assist in conducting surveys of wetland natural communities in Jackson and Larimer counties. The fieldwork involves extensive collection of vegetation, soil, and environmental data, identifying plant species, and completion of field survey forms. This position will require knowledge of Colorado flora and ability to use GPS and GIS tools. Willingness to travel extensively during field season, work unusual schedules, and live in rustic conditions for extended periods in remote areas of Colorado are to be expected. Weed Mapping Position: The technician will map selected noxious weed species throughout the U.S. Air Force Academy and Farish Memorial Recreation Area near Colorado Springs, CO. This project will utilize a GPS system integrated with a field PDA for mapping weeds and collecting data. Approximately 300 acres of the study area will be mapped daily throughout the summer. The GIS data will be transferred daily to a computer in the field and quality controlled and archived. The technician will assume a high level of responsibility in this position and will work alone approximately ¾ of the time, with periodic assistance from another CNHP Staff Botanist. Biological Survey Positions: CNHP has several biological inventory projects searching for and documenting rare species throughout the state, including: Chaffee County, the North Platte River watershed in Colorado, and the areas of Las Animas County dissected by the Purgatory River Canyon lands, and other areas as directed. Field crews will navigate to targeted areas and search for the occurrence of targeted rare species and plant communities. Specific study sites within the project area will be located in all ecosystems, including terrestrial, riparian, and wetland ecosystems of the montane, foothill, and high plains zones. Duties Great Sand Dunes Vegetation Ecology Positions: 1. Work with a partner to identify and navigate to plot locations and collect data on species and plant communities present. Requires ability to reliably identify plants and plant communities within the high plains, foothills, montane, subalpine, and alpine zones of Colorado. Identify the dominant species and community structure, and document presence of exotic or rare species, 2. Reliably locate field plots, complete field forms, operate and maintain GPS units, digital cameras, and other field equipment, and manage collected data, 3. Properly preserve or make herbarium specimens of selected plant species, 4. Enter and maintain data in electronic formats (databases, spreadsheets, GP GIS), 5. Thoroughly document all fieldwork using field notebooks, survey forms, maps, and cameras. Wetland Ecology Positions: 1. Conduct field work as a team or in pairs. 2. Determine land ownership of targeted wetlands and (if on private land) obtain permission from land owners to collect data from property. 3. Using GPS and provided maps, navigate to plot locations via paved roads, dirt roads, trails, and off-trail. 4. Collect data on vegetation, soils, hydrology, and landscape setting. Requires ability to reliably identify plants and plant communities within Rocky Mountain wetlands and riparian areas. 5. Collect and prepare plant specimens for verification and long term storage in a regional herbarium. 6. Enter and maintain data in electronic formats (databases, spreadsheets, GPS, GIS). 7. Other duties as needed. Biological Survey Positions: 1. Inventory Targeted Inventory Areas (TIAs) to identify rare species and ecological community occurrences, 2. Work with land owners to access and inventory private lands, 3. Use maps, GPS, and GIS tools for orienteering and documentation of occurrences, 4. Map occurrences using maps and/or a field PDA with integrated GPS and GIS, 5. Use computers to review and record data, 6. Record, manage, and archive data on paper and electronic files, 7. Travel by foot, other animal, or motorized vehicles in remote rugged terrain, Qualifications For All Positions: B.S. degree in botany or ecology, natural resources, range management, forestry, or related field, or 3 years equivalent field experience required; 1. Knowledge of dichotomous botanical keys and field guides, and the major angiosperm plant families required, 2. Willingness to travel extensively during field season, work unusual schedules (up to 10 consecutive days), backpack, car camp, and live in rustic conditions for extended periods in remote areas of Colorado required; 3. Good physical condition and ability to work long hours in the field required; 4. Experience with aerial photograph and topographic map interpretation preferred; 5. Careful attention to detail required; 6. Comfort and familiarity with the use of computers required; 7. Experience or familiarity with the use of GPS preferred; 8. Knowledge of Colorado flora or fauna preferred; 9. Experience in collecting vegetation and environmental data in the field preferred; 10. Experience with vegetation sampling techniques preferred; 11. One year experience of species identification, community classification, or habitat typing, preferred; 12. Experience in classifying vegetation types preferred; 13. Experience in Natural Heritage Methodology preferred; Demonstrated interest in, and enthusiasm for, conservation preferred --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ POSITION(S) WILL REMAIN OPEN AND WILL BE FILLED AS SUITABLE APPLICANTS ARE FOUND. FOR FULL CONSIDERATION, SUBMIT RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND 3 REFERENCES (WITH PHONE NUMBERS) BY MARCH 31, 2008, TO: (Please indicate which project(s) interest you) Ecology and Botany Field Technician(s) Colorado Natural Heritage Program 8002 Campus Mail Colorado State University Ft. Collins, CO 80523-8002 Or, preferably, by email as an attachment to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] HIRING IS CONTINGENT ON FINAL APPROVAL OF FUNDING For full consideration applications must be received by March 31st, 2008. Announcement will remain open until all positions are filled. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding affirmative action requirements in all programs. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity is located in 101 Student Services Building. In order to assist Colorado State University in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities, ethnic minorities, women and other protected class members are encouraged to apply and so identify themselves.
