Native Seed Program Technician (Multiple Locations)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Park Service (NPS), are recruiting 14 Native Seed Technicians to conduct seed collecting and ecological restoration activities throughout the Great Basin on Department of Interior (DOI) lands.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Scouting and identifying populations of target native plant species suitable for collection;
• Mapping of populations of plants, disturbance areas, and other features using tablets, handheld devices, ArcGIS Online, ArcPro, and ESRI apps such as FieldMaps and Survey 123;
• Monitoring the phenology of plant populations to identify optimal seed collection times;
• Collecting seed from plant populations for both operational and conservation collections in accordance with the Seeds of Success (SOS) Technical Protocol;
• Processing and shipping seed following standard industry procedure; 
• Collecting herbarium vouchers, and processing and shipping in accordance to the SOS Technical Protocol;
• Collecting tissue samples for genetic analysis and processing and shipping, as necessary; 
• Certifying seed collections following state agency protocols; 
• Recording data electronically and via paper data forms, entering and editing data related to restoration activities;
• Photographing collection sites and plants;
• Maintaining and regularly conducting inventory of field gear;
• Daily and monthly vehicle checks;
• Driving a truck up to five hours a day;
• Traveling in a truck up to ten hours a day;
• Assisting with the coordination of conservation crew work;
• Assisting with the coordination of volunteer seed collection and restoration events;
• Assisting with species survey work, as needed; 
• Providing support for arid land restoration projects;
• Reporting accomplishments and providing recommendations for program improvements, priorities, and future projects; and
• Participating in trainings provided by GBI, DOI agencies, and community partners.

Physical Demands:

Field work involves driving GBI trucks on both highways and 4WD roads, often for 100+ miles per day as well as hiking off designated trails or routes, across rugged terrain, up to 5 miles per day, but more typically 0-1 mile per day. Seed collection requires regular stooping, standing and maneuvering on uneven terrain for many hours a day. Weather conditions will vary from cold winds and precipitation in the early spring to temperatures over 100F in the summer. The use of global positioning systems (handheld GPS units), computers, tablets, digital cameras, and on- and off-road vehicles are an essential part of the job. Camping under primitive conditions in remote locations for a week at a time will regularly be required. Schedules are often determined by plant phenology.  

• Lift up to 50-70 pounds of material or equipment.
• Bend, lift, pull, and push.
• Crouch, stoop, kneel, stand, or bend for long periods of time. 
• Drive for many hours a day on highways and 4WD roads.
• Handle plant material for many hours a day. 
• Walk and stand for long periods of time on uneven surfaces carrying equipment.
• Be outside in extreme heat or cold (depending upon the season).
• Occasionally work 10+ hour days.
• Travel and camp overnight & up to 8 days at a time for project work.

Incumbents must also be willing to spend days at a time working at a computer during periods of data entry and analysis.

Timeline: 

• 26-week appointment beginning April 2025

Location:

Multiple positions are available in the Great Basin through various Department of Interior agencies. Please indicate your availability and preferred locations/positions when applying. We encourage applying early to help your chances of getting your top-choice locations. 

The BLM is the largest land manager in the United States, managing 245 million acres of public lands. BLM manages multiple uses across regions and landscapes. BLM lands in the Great Basin are home to historic mining and ranching that conjure up images of the Wild West. The region’s mountain ranges and valleys are home to diverse plant communities, wildlife, livestock, and wild horse and burros. 

The USFWS is the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the American people. FWS manages public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. More than 560 refuges span the country, protecting iconic species and providing wildlife viewing opportunities. 

The NPS has been entrusted with the care of our national parks since 1916. NPS manages 428 parks, preserving the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. 

Nevada

1.  Location: Tonopah, NV at the Tonopah BLM Field Office (working on BLM lands)

Tonopah, NV is located ~220 miles southeast of Reno, NV and ~400 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, UT along Interstate 80. Tonopah and the surrounding area (pop. ~2,000) is rural; situated in the high desert (~6,000 ft. elevation) where ranching/mining are the local economic drivers. The Tonopah Field Office within the Battle Mountain District Office is responsible for managing approximately 6.5 million acres of public land typically of basin-and-range topography with Great Basin Desert/sagebrush steppe ecotype. Opportunities for recreation abound from fishing, hiking, horseback riding and camping to visiting ghost towns, petroglyph sites, rockhounding and stargazing. Tonopah has access to numerous wilderness areas such as the Arc Dome Wilderness situated in the southern portion of the Toiyabe Range that offers breathtaking vistas, seemingly endless trails and spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. 

2.  Location: Fallon, NV at the FWS Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge (working on Stillwater NWR and BLM lands) 

Fallon, NV: Nestled in the Lahontan Valley just about 60 miles east of Reno, is the downright neighborly community of Fallon. Often referred to as "The Oasis of Nevada,” thanks to the region's formerly high volume of water, the area is a wonderful host to boundless outdoor activities.
 

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge of the United States in Nevada. Stillwater NWR is a desert oasis for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, wildlife, and plants. It is located in the Lahontan Valley, near the community of Fallon, sixty miles east of Reno. It was established in 1949 and encompasses 79,570 acres

**Government housing is available at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge at a discounted rate. Housing is comfortable, with shared quarters and shared kitchen and communal space. From the bunkhouse, the closest community is located in Fallon, which is about a 15-minute drive. Having a personal vehicle will make this position much more convenient as public transportation is not available at the site. For field work, a vehicle will be available. Hired technicians may also find housing in Reno and commute to Stillwater NWR on the first and last day of each field tour.

3.  Location:  Ely, NV (working at Great Basin National Park and Ely/Elko BLM lands) 

Ely is a mountain town of about 5000 people in a typical basin-and-range valley with mountains on either side that rise to 10,000+ feet. The Ely District Office is responsible for managing approximately 12 million acres of public land typically of basin-and-range topography with Great Basin Desert/sagebrush steppe ecotype.  Great Basin National Park is about a 1 hour drive.

Great Basin National Park is in eastern Nevada near the Utah border. In the north, the mountain-hugging Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive leads to towering Wheeler Peak. Nearby is one of several ancient bristlecone pine groves. The marble Lehman Caves have distinctive stalactites and other formations. Park wildlife includes bighorn sheep.

The Elko District encompasses 12.5 million acres and has topography typical of the Great Basin with broad valleys separated by mountain ranges. Elevations range from 4,000 to over 10,000 feet. The city of Elko (pop. 21,000) is located along the I-80 corridor and is approximately 230 miles west of Salt Lake City, UT and 290 miles east of Reno, NV. Recreation opportunities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, abound in this region.

**Government housing is available at Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge at a discounted rate. Housing is comfortable, with private quarters and shared kitchen, bathroom, and communal space. From the bunkhouse, Elko is about a 1-1.5 hour drive and Ely is about a 2-2.5 hour drive. Having a personal vehicle is necessary at this placement as public transportation is not available at the site. For field work, a vehicle will be available. Hired technicians may also find housing in peripheral towns such as Elko or Ely and commute on the first and last day of each field tour. Technicians may also park/camp at Great Basin National Park (no fee) during off time.

Oregon

4.  Location: Burns, OR or Boise, ID (working within BLM Burns District Office and Vale Malheur Field Office lands)

The Burns and Vale BLM Districts are located in southeastern Oregon, extending from the Oregon-Nevada border on the south into the Blue Mountains on the north, and borders Idaho to the east. Burns, OR is commonly referred to as the gateway to the Steens Mountains and is within 30 miles of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Recreation opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing. 

Boise is the capital and most populous city in the state of Idaho. The tree-lined city is along the Boise River, home to Boise State University, and close to nearby mountains. Downtown Boise is the cultural center and home to many small businesses, shops, and restaurants. Technicians may also choose to live in Boise, ID and potentially work out of the Boise BLM State Office and commute to field/work sites using the provided work vehicle.

Utah

5.  Location: Cedar City, UT at the Cedar City BLM Field Office (working within the BLM Cedar City Field Office and Caliente FO and Basin and Range National Monument)

Cedar City, UT is located in southwest Utah at the southeastern edge of the Great Basin (only about 20 miles from the Mojave Desert). It’s a popular hub for outdoor recreation, including over 5 national parks and monuments, national forest, and lakes. The climate is the typical semi-arid of the mountainous west, although cooler than the nearby city of St. George, UT. Cedar City hosts community events like free music festivals and shows. Downtown is filled with local shops and restaurants, and has a vibrant local art scene.

Located in Ely, NV, the Basin and Range National Monument is a national monument of the United States spanning approximately 704,000 acres of remote, undeveloped mountains and valleys in Lincoln and Nye counties in southeastern Nevada. It is described as "one of the emptiest spaces in a state famous for its emptiness”. 

Caliente Field Office is located in Caliente, NV. Caliente, formerly known as Culverwell and Calientes, is a city in Lincoln County, Nevada. Its elevation is 4,300 feet. Caliente is home to extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. As of mid-2020, there are approximately 30 miles of purpose-built singletrack mountain bike trail in and around town, bringing mountain bikers from across the country to enjoy the wild, isolated Nevada desert. There are thousands of miles of motorized off-road track and trail, and several large motorized races and events are hosted in Caliente each year. Rainbow Canyon and Big Rocks Wilderness offer a wide variety of rock climbing routes, while nearby Eagle Valley Reservoir offers fishing and boating opportunities.
 

California

(6) Location: Cedarville, CA at the Applegate Field Office (working on surrounding BLM lands)

Cedarville, CA is located at the foot of the Warner Mountains in scenic northeastern California The town was founded in 1864 as a stopping point for wagon trains. The surrounding areas, including  Modoc National Forest, attract outdoor enthusiasts from all over with numerous backcountry trails and campgrounds. There are also nearby hot springs to enjoy and relax in. Lava Beds National Monument is a short 1.5 hour road trip away, and well worth it!

The Applegate Field Office manages nearly 1.75 million acres of public land which straddles the border of northeast California and northwest Nevada. From beautiful Klamath and Shasta National Forests on the west to the high desert valleys and mountains of northwestern Nevada to the east, this landscape has it all.

Compensation and Benefits:  

• Total Living Allowance: up to $22.50/hr with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week;
• Camping Per Diem: $34/day (when applicable)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost. 

Additional benefits:

• Eligibility for pro deals through GBI, such as Outdoor Prolink and Black Diamond
• Training provided; SOS Seeds Collection and Protocol training, Wilderness First Aid training and certification, Defensive driver's training (eligible for discounts on your personal vehicle insurance), report writing, and technical skills trainings;
• Opportunity to network with GBI and federal partners for career advancement

How to Apply: 

Please visit our employment web page to apply directly through our online portal:  Native Seed Program Technician Application

Technical requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework and field experience related to biology, botany, ecology, plant science, taxonomy/systematics, or related field;
• Experience identifying plants using taxonomic keys or familiarity with plants of the Great Basin;
• Experience with data entry; 
• Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for data collection and navigation;
• Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass;
• Familiarity driving 4WD vehicles on- and off-road; 
• Experience operating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) on difficult terrain, helpful for certain locations;
• Understanding and/or experience using ArcGIS Pro, and ESRI apps like Field Maps and Survey 123, helpful.

Additional requirements: 

• Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing desert conditions, including extreme temperatures, and as part of a team;
• Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days, up to 8 days; 
• Ability to bend and stoop for long periods of time while collecting seed, and to use hand tools, and occasionally lift buckets of water and other heavy loads;
• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 am, to avoid heat-related issues, to follow plant phenology, or for coordination with team members.  
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work as part of a tight knit team (Crews will be two people, which requires technicians to co-lead, take initiative, and behave in a manner that promotes team integrity);
• Ability to work independently or in pairs with little supervision, strong initiative, and high attention to detail;
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record

To Apply

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one page cover letter that details your interest in the position and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

EEO Statement

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.