Field Botanist
Field Botanist needed for a project studying the habitat of the
endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse in riparian areas within
the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in the White Mountains of
eastern Arizona. Successful applicants will work as part of a team
to determine habitat and environmental requirements for the New
Mexico meadow jumping mouse. Duties include collection of detailed
vegetation data at known and random New Mexico meadow jumping mouse
riparian sites. The research takes place in remote areas and
technicians will be camping while out in the field for approximately
4-5 days at a time. While camping and in the field (which will be
most of the time), technicians will be provided $25 per diem to cover
food expenses and are reimbursed for use of a personal 4WD vehicle
while working. Office duties may include data entry, maintenance of
sampling gear, and travel preparations. The field season is expected
to run from June to late August.
This position requires camping at high elevations (>9000 ft),
navigating across difficult trail-less terrain, working and camping
in remote areas, and spending several hours in waders walking through
fast-moving streams. Applicants should be prepared physically and
have the appropriate clothing and gear to work and camp in these environments.
The Field Botanist position is expected to know or quickly learn the
flora of southwestern riparian areas to maximize data collection
quality and efficiency. Methods will include collecting species
composition, richness, cover, and presence and absence data at the
species level. Additional data collection may include estimating
functional group percent cover on vegetation quadrats, and also using
other tools such as Robel poles or estimating height of vegetation,
and densiometers for estimating tree canopy cover. The botanist may
be asked to lead vegetation field crews and ensure the efficient and
safe collection of high-quality data with limited direct daily supervision.
Desired Qualifications: Prior experience in plant community
measurements and plant identification, preferably in the western
United States and in riparian vegetation. Experience in keying
plants or a taxonomy course. Experience leading field research crews.
GPS and field navigational skills. CPR and wilderness first aid/WFR
training is desirable.
Salary: $17-$20/hr depending on experience
Deadline to apply: March 1, 2016
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and 3
references (formatted as a single PDF document) to the contact below.
Valerie Horncastle
E-mail: <mailto:valerie.horncas...@nau.edu>valerie.horncas...@nau.edu
