Position Description: The Utah Geological Survey seeks to hire a Wetlands Assistant / Botanist to plan and execute field research, lead wetland plant identification, and assist with data analysis and report writing. The incumbent will spend March through May preparing for field work, June through September in the field, and October through February identifying plant samples in the office and assisting with data analysis and report writing. Tasks in the spring will likely include helping develop a statistically valid study design, planning field logistics, and assisting with hiring summer interns. During the field season, the incumbent will oversee field logistics and participate in field work. Field work will take place in both front country and remote settings and typically require four 10+ hour days/week, but other schedules may sometimes be required, including some overnight field stays. The incumbent will lead all plant identification at field sites and will work with a team member to evaluate hydrologic, physical, and other components of wetland health. Tasks in the fall and winter will likely include data QA/QC, identifying dried plant specimen, data analysis, and report writing. The incumbent will work on a variety of wetland-related projects, but the main project will be focused on refinement of a wetland assessment protocol. The protocol will be tested with multiple groups of observers and at different times of the year to determine method robustness. The protocol may be refined throughout the field season depending on preliminary results and to ensure that it is simple enough to be used by a broad variety of stakeholders. The position is initially being offered for a 12-month term, but may be extended depending on funding. Applicants that are excited to come up with new project ideas and pursue funding with the assistance of the State Wetlands Coordinator are particularly encouraged to apply.
Duties: 1. Prepare for field surveys by assisting with study design and preparing sampling plan. 2. Serve as field project manager throughout the field season by planning logistics, taking responsibility for data accuracy and completeness, and serving as crew leader for seasonal technician. 3. Aid in the collection of wetland condition data. Evaluate sites for the presence of stressors. Use landscape and local site data to evaluate hydrologic, physical, and biotic components of wetland health following set protocols with attention to detail. 4. Reliably identify plants (both in field and with a microscope) and plant communities within Utah wetlands. Collect and prepare unknown plant specimens for later identification and storage. 5. Assist with one or more of the following: data quality assurance/quality control; landscape analysis in ArcGIS; technical writing; data analysis. 6. Other duties as needed. Required Qualifications: 1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree in botany, ecology, biology, wetland science, or other related field. 2. Strong plant identification skills, including ability to use dichotomous keys to identify difficult taxa such as Cyperaceae and Poaceae and three or more seasons of field experience in positions requiring identification of plants; one season can be substituted by plant taxonomy coursework. 3. Ability to work independently and take a leadership role. Must have some previous leadership or project management experience. 4. At least basic knowledge of statistical design and analysis relevant to aquatic resources or vegetation data. 5. Experience with field work and willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules and to tolerate extreme heat, rain, biting insects, and other field nuisances. Preferred Qualifications (successful applicants will likely have one or more of the following): 1. Master’s degree in relevant subject. 2. Familiarity with map making or more complex analysis in ArcGIS. 3. Experience with plant identification in relevant systems (e.g., wetland plants, western plants). 4. Training in watershed science, wetlands, or riparian systems. 5. Strong technical writing skills. 6. Experience with data management, particularly in Microsoft Access. 7. Data analysis experience in the statistical program R. To apply, submit resume, cover letter, three references (with phone numbers), and a writing sample to Diane Menuz, State Wetland Coordinator, at the Utah Geological Survey, [email protected]. Please indicate your available start date. You may direct all questions to this email. Applications be reviewed starting January 23, but will be accepted until the position is filled.
