TITLE: Ecology and Botany Field Technicians — Research Associate I NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 5 (temporary) WORK LOCATIONS: Southeast Texas and Gulf Coast of Florida and Mississippi PAY RATE: $2,000 - $2,400/month, plus housing and other expenses DURATION: 2-4 months (approx. May – September)
Summary of All Positions: Colorado State University seeks experienced ecology and botany field technicians for summer field work at two national parks in Southeast Texas and on the Gulf Coast of Florida and Mississippi. The work entails vegetation sampling requiring field botany or field ecology skills. Knowledge of plant taxonomy and species identification required. Experience identifying flora of the area is preferred. Successful applicants will sample natural vegetation communities in support of vegetation mapping at the Big Thicket National Preserve and the Gulf Islands National Seashore Parks. The project areas encompass a total of 110,000 acres in southeast Texas and 8,000 acres in Florida and Mississippi. Field technicians will be based in housing near either park and will navigate daily to remote sites to establish vegetation sample plots and document plant species and plant community characteristics. The work will entail a combination of day trips and overnight camping trips. Site access via canoe or powerboat to numerous sites is expected. Duties 1. Work with a partner to navigate to plot locations and collect data on species and plant communities present. Requires ability to reliably identify plants and plant communities of the project area, identify dominant species and community structure, and document presence of exotic or rare species, 2. Reliably locate field plots, safely and efficiently access sites, complete field forms, operate and maintain GPS units, digital cameras, and other field equipment, and effectively manage collected data, 3. Enter and maintain data in electronic formats (databases, spreadsheets, GPS, GIS), 4. Thoroughly document all fieldwork using field notebooks, survey forms, maps, GPS, and digital cameras. Qualifications: A degree in botany or ecology, natural resources, range management, forestry, or related field, or 3 years of equivalent field experience is required. Preference will be given to candidates with previous field experience, and experience with the regional flora of the project area. 1. Knowledge of dichotomous botanical keys and field guides, and the major angiosperm plant families; 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; 3. Good physical condition and ability to work long hours in the field, travel by foot off-trail in rough terrain, and work through inclement weather; 4. Experience with aerial photograph and topographic map interpretation; 5. Careful attention to data; 6. Comfort and familiarity with the use of computers; 7. Experience or familiarity with the use of GPS; 8. Experience in collecting vegetation and environmental data in the field; 9. Experience with vegetation sampling techniques; 10. One year experience of species identification, community classification, or habitat typing. 11. Previous experience managing a field crew required to qualify for the crew leader position Availability of positions contingent upon final approval of funding. Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department's commitment to diversity and inclusion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------- First consideration of applicants will begin February 1st, 2015. Applications will be accepted until all positions have been filled or through June 30, 2015, whichever comes first. To Apply Submit Resume, Cover Letter, and three References (with phone #’s), at the following address: http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/employment-opportunities.html References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. For questions regarding this position please contact Joe Stevens at [email protected]
