Description: In cooperation with the Death Valley National Park (DEVA), the Great Basin Institute (GBI) is recruiting a Botanist to work cooperatively with National Park Staff to complete restoration projects and botany surveys within Death Valley National Park.
GBI and Death Valley National Park wish to support and stimulate work and/or training opportunities for young adults through botanical field operations including botanical surveys, exotic weed control, native seed collection, herbarium specimen collection and preparation, GIS data collection and processing, education and outreach and other natural resource management projects located throughout Death Valley National Park. The objective of this project is to participate collaboratively in conservation activities to perform work in all areas of Death Valley National Park. The project will provide for botanical support to improve landscaping around park facilities using native plants and native genetic stocks. Seeds will be collected from plants within Death Valley and will be used in restoration and in landscaping around park facilities and in disturbed areas. This work will include seed collection and planting of native plants either salvaged from construction projects or grown in native plant nurseries. In addition, the intern may be provided opportunities to participate in a variety of resource management projects including rare plants surveys at the Eureka Dunes (habitat for two federally listed endangered species that require annual monitoring); survey and control of exotic vegetation, and analysis of exotic plant management success. These projects will be dependent on weather conditions and the local abundance of seeds and salvageable plants. Compensation: o Hourly Rate of $15.00 o Field per diem o Housing provided Timeline: o February 2, 2015 April 24, 2015 o Full time, minimum 40 hours per week Location: Death Valley National Park, CA Qualifications: Technical requirements: o Undergraduate or Graduate degree in botany, range ecology, or a closely related field in the biological sciences; o Coursework in plant taxonomy and/or systematics (transcripts may be requested); o Experience conducting botanical field work (field-based classes may be substituted for paid or volunteer field experience); o Knowledge of southwestern flora and fauna and/or ability to learn southwestern flora and fauna; o Experience using a technical plant key without pictures; o Experience conducting plant surveys using various protocols. Monitoring protocols include collecting repeat photography, and transect and quadrat systematic sampling; o Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and data collection experience with Trimble GPS units highly desired; o Experience creating maps, as well as managing and manipulating data using ArcGIS 9.3 or higher; and o Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project/grant reports. Additional requirements: o Possess a valid, state-issued drivers license and clean driving record; o Experience operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, including narrow, mountain forest roads; o Ability to work independently to accomplish goals; o Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public; o Possess good organizational skills; o Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition; and o Pass National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) and federal criminal background checks. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Amy Gladding, HR Assistant, at [email protected]. Please include where you found this position posted. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries, please. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
