Botany Technician – The Southwest Program at the Institute for Applied Ecology (Santa Fe, Mexico)

The botany technician will work closely with IAE staff and Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) botanists and will also coordinate with staff from the
NPS Intermountain Region and USDA Forest Service Region 3 to collect seed
from native plants for production and restoration efforts in the
Southwest. This position will be based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Most
of the work will occur at NPS properties in the region. This position will
be for 14 weeks with the possibility of extension depending on funding,
weather, and plant phenology. The work week will be four 10-hour days,
Monday through Thursday. Mondays will include office work (i.e., data
entry, site planning) and the rest of the week will be spent in the field.
The crew will meet at the IAE SW office and travel to field sites together
in an IAE SW vehicle.

Specific Responsibilities of Botany Technician:
Supervise and work alongside one field technician
Collaborate closely with Southwest Seed Partnership Coordinator and team
in Santa Fe to meet collection targets
Oversee the following fieldwork: plan and schedule fieldwork, camping
logistics, monitor phenology of target species, collect botanical voucher
specimens, assess seed quality and collect native seeds, record site data,
prepare documentation, and help to ship seed
Manage data and ensure quality control
Prioritize safety; adhere to check-in/check-out procedures and
communications via cell phone or SPOT device to ensure crew safety
Frequent overnight camping for field work

Minimum Qualifications:
Three years of coursework in biology, botany, or a related field
Interest in botany, conservation biology, and/or restoration ecology
Outgoing, energetic, and flexible
Excellent communication skills and experience working on a team
Leadership experience or enthusiasm for acquiring leadership experience
Highly organized and able to manage complex objectives and take initiative

Preferred Skills:
Bachelor?s degree in biology, botany, or a related field
Plant identification skills and experience using technical keys
(familiarity with Southwest flora is a plus)
Pre-existing knowledge of the BLM Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol or prior
seed collection experience
Plant voucher collection experience
Experience using GPS
Ability to drive a 4WD truck on rugged, off-highway gravel or dirt roads
Data management experience; experience with Excel
Comfortable in a backcountry setting: ability to work long hours in
adverse weather conditions while maintaining attention to the task and
crew safety (First aid training a plus)
Ability to work in bent-over, kneeling, or standing positions for
significant periods of time
Ability to lift at least 40 lbs. and hike up to 6 miles per day

Compensation and Start Date:
$14.00/hr. plus overnight food/camping or lodging expenses as needed. Paid
leave available for holidays; and unpaid leave permitted for cultural
events and supervisor approved vacation. This is a full-time temporary
position with no additional benefits.

Employment term runs from August 6th – November 8th with the possibility
of extension.

Preference will be given to youth (ages of 18-25 years at the time of
hire), and those who identify as a member of a Native American Tribe, or
identify as American Indian/Native American.

To apply for this position, please submit:
Brief cover letter describing your interest in the position. If would like
to be considered for a similar position in Las Cruces, NM, please indicate
this in your cover letter.
Resume identifying any relevant experience (paid or unpaid)
College transcripts (unofficial transcripts are fine)
Names and contact information for three references
Email applications to: maggie@appliedeco.org by 7/25/18; use subject line
?NPS Botany Technician?; applications will be considered on a rolling
basis.

Please direct any questions about the position to maggie@appliedeco.org