SUMMARY: The Montana Natural Heritage Program seeks experienced project leads for wetland condition assessment projects throughout Montana. All projects require field botany or field ecology skills. Knowledge of plant taxonomy and species identification and experience in wetland ecology required. Experience identifying Montana flora preferred.
Project Lead will aid the Principal Investigator with pre-field season logistics and planning, such as assisting with the random sample survey design, securing permission to access survey sites on private land, preparing field maps in ArcGIS 9.3, preparing field supplies, etc. During the field season, the Project Lead will work with field technicians to carry out the tasks listed below and will be the point of contact between the Principal Investigator and the field team. The project lead is responsible for managing field technicians, field equipment, and other project resources for successful completion of the fieldwork. 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 Montana flora and ability to use GPS and GIS tools. Willingness to travel extensively during the field season, work unusual schedules, camp, and backpack into remote areas of Montana are to be expected. Project Lead will begin in late April or early May 2010. DUTIES: 1. Assist Principal Investigator with random sample survey design for selecting target wetland sites. 2. Prepare field maps in ArcGIS 9.3 and plan logistics for 8 day work sessions. 3. Determine land ownership of targeted wetlands and (if on private land) obtain permission to collect data from property. 4. Using GPS and provided maps, navigate to plot locations via paved roads, dirt roads, trails, and off-trail. 5. Collect data on vegetation, soils, hydrology, and landscape setting following predefined wetland condition assessment methodologies. Requires ability to reliably identify plants and plant communities within Rocky Mountain wetlands and riparian areas. 6. Collect and prepare plant specimens for verification and long term storage in a regional herbarium. 7. Enter and maintain data in electronic formats (databases, spreadsheets, GPS, GIS). 8. Other duties as needed. QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. or M.S. degree in biology, botany, ecology, natural resources, 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 Montana required. 3. Good physical condition and ability to work long hours in the field required. 4. Careful attention to detail required. 5. Knowledge of Rocky Mountain flora required. 6. Comfort and familiarity with the use of computers required. 7. Experience or familiarity with the use of GPS required. 8. Experience working in wetlands and knowledge of wetland ecology required. 9. Experience with species identification and vegetation sampling techniques required. 10. Knowledge of Montana flora preferred. 11. Experience with aerial photograph and topographic map interpretation preferred. 12. Experience with vegetation community classification or habitat typing preferred. 13. Experience with soil sampling and soil taxonomy preferred. 14. Demonstrated interest in, and enthusiasm for, conservation preferred. PAY RATE AND DURATION: $14/hour. Position will last from 3-7 months (approx. May-December 2010). TO APPLY: POSITION(S) WILL REMAIN OPEN AND WILL BE FILLED AS SUITABLE APPLICANTS ARE FOUND. APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5PM MARCH 31, 2010. SEND RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND 3 REFERENCES (WITH PHONE NUMBERS) TO: Karen Newlon Montana Natural Heritage Program 1515 East Sixth Avenue Helena, MT 59620 Or, preferably, by email as an attachment to: [email protected] Announcement will remain open until all positions are filled.
