Botany Technician (Klamath NF; Happy Creek, CA)

Position Description Summary:  

Klamath National Forest USFS; Happy Camp California

Botany Technicians will conduct rare plant surveys and monitor known occurrences of target species for various landscape management projects. Surveys will be conducted using both quantitative and intuitive controlled methods and will focus on habitat condition and the presence and abundance of target rare plants. Botanical keys will be used to identify rare plants. Data will be collected using a variety of methods including paper field forms and GIS programs on tablets (using apps such as Avenza, Survey123, and Field Maps). 

Botany Technicians will be stationed in Happy Camp, California and will serve under the direction of the District Botanist. Field work will occur in remote locations, where cellular connections are unavailable or inconsistent. Field conditions may include 105 degree F summer weather, thunderstorms, abundant poison oak, insect bites, and wildlife encounters. Candidates should have good physical fitness, the ability to operate vehicles safely on rough, narrow roads, including the use of 4WD, and the ability and willingness to hike steep slopes and endure hot temperatures throughout the summer.

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Technicians are responsible for data quality assurance and quality control, ensuring all data is entered into the appropriate databases of record, and for compiling and summarizing data for reports. 
• Botany Technicians will also assist with implementing the USFS Noxious Weed Management Program by:
  • Treating existing infestations, 
  • Mapping infestation ranges,
  • Conducting Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) surveys. 

• Treatments will include the use of manual and mechanical control measures including hand pulling, clipping, tarping, and the use of gas-powered weed eaters. Herbicides will not be used. 
• Technicians will have data management responsibilities similar to those described for rare plant work. 
• Additionally, the Botany Technicians may be responsible for directing large crews assisting with invasive plant treatments such as California Conservation Corps and Youth Conservation Corps. 

LOCATION

The Klamath National Forest covers an area of 1,700,000 acres located mainly in Siskiyou County, CA. It

ranges in elevation from 450 to 8,900 feet above sea level and is considered one of the most biologically

diverse regions in the United States. Over 3,000 species of plants have been documented here, a very

high number for an area this size. The Forest has a famously high diversity of conifers, with 19 species of

conifer documented in one square mile. The tremendous local diversity has been attributed to variable

climate and geology, the intersection of the Coast Range, the Cascades, and Sierra Nevada Mountains,

and the area served as an unglaciated refuge during the last ice age.

Forest encompasses five wilderness areas including: Marble Mountain, Russian, Trinity Alps, Red

Buttes and Siskiyou wilderness areas. Trailheads are numerous and hikes range from easy to arduous.

There are 200 miles of river system for rafting and 152 miles of wild and scenic rivers on the Forest. The

Forest has 28 campgrounds, and world-class hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. With the Klamath,

Salmon, and Scott Rivers meandering from one end of the Forest to the other, recreationists have found

a playground that offers virtually everything (except crowds) to the outdoor enthusiast.

WORK SCHEDULE

Botany technicians will follow 10 hour days, 4 days a week schedule. 

Temporary Special Assignment employees are eligible to receive holiday pay, if partner approved. TSAs holiday schedule will comply with the project partner holiday schedule, unless otherwise specified in their employment offer. TSAs working five (5) eight (8) hour days per workweek will be paid eight (8) hours for all holidays. TSAs working four (4) ten (10) hour days per workweek will be paid ten (10) hours for all holidays.  Same with other approved/allowable workweek configurations; these can be accommodated accordingly with Banked Holiday(s).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Wage: $21/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week

In addition to a competitive hourly rate, this TSA position includes premium comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members.  Mental health support resources are employer provided, as is 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match, competitive PTO accrual, paid holidays (10 per year), and family leave. This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

TSA employees who serve a term under 52 weeks in duration, and have a thirty (30) day or less break between terms, and then sign a second term that (cumulatively) becomes greater than 52 weeks of employment, will be eligible for the >1-year TSA benefits (equivalent to Regular full-time employees).

Requirements/Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and interest in botany (familiarity with Northern California flora preferred);
• Proficiency using botanical keys and field guides to identify plants;
• Experience utilizing hand-held GPS units or tablets for navigation and/or data collection ;
• Familiarity with the use of topographic maps and compasses;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access databases as well as ArcGIS;
• Experience operating 4WD trucks on and off-road, including mountainous forest roads, preferred; and
• Familiarity with the use of hand tools and gas engine weed eaters. Chain saw certification/experience is highly desirable.

2. Additional requirements:

• Willingness to work in and around poison oak
• Ability to self-motivate and collaborate with others
• Ability to create and maintain a safe service environment
• Possess good organizational skills
• Willingness to work outdoors in variable or adverse weather conditions, and able to hike 5-6 miles daily on uneven terrain, sometimes off trail
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse public
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three

professional references to the unique application link.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact kmckinnon@gbinstitute.org

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.