AmeriCorps: Vegetation Technician (NPS, Whiskeytown NRA)

Job Description:

The Great Basin Institute (GBI) is working cooperatively with the National Park Service (NPS) at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS) to recruit 6 Vegetation Technicians that will work with NPS staff to conduct surveys and implement management strategies for rare and invasive plants. The work will focus on a variety of objectives that contribute to a multi-year effort to promote native vegetation recovery and plant conservation in a post-fire environment at WHIS. The crew’s season will run from early-April to mid-October. The crew will work outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions (heat, cold, insects, etc.). Training and support will be provided for all duties.

Specific duties include:

• Assist with field data collection, data entry, and QA/QC; 
• Properly identify vascular plant species and utilize dichotomous keys;  
• Estimate cover of vascular plants;
• Collect and prepare voucher specimens of difficult taxa for later identification;
• Collect and process seed of native plants for habitat restoration efforts;
• Assist with both manual and herbicide treatments of invasive plants under the training and supervision of park staff;
• Maintain field equipment and tools;
• Be a productive member of the WHIS rare & invasive plant team;
• Participate in GBI or partner-sponsored training opportunities; and
• Monitor site-specific conditions and report safety concerns to the crew lead.

General field duties include walking long distances over uneven terrain, off-trail, often in dense vegetation; navigating off-trail with map compass and GPS; collecting vegetation data using established procedures; ensuring the consistency of data quality during the field season; treating invasive vegetation; and maintaining safety awareness and practices.

The successful applicants must have strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and exhibit strong teamwork and organization skills. Work ethic and professionalism will be valued above all else. Office tasks are only about 5% of work but include data organization, processing and QA/QC; and compiling concise field notes. The weekly field schedule is intended to be 4 x 10-hour days (generally Monday-Thursday). Changing conditions may also require flexibility in set schedules.

Contract Timeline:

• 26-week appointment
• Starting in May through June, flexible for the right candidate
• Full time

Location:

Whiskeytown NRA is located in the heart of Northern California. Opportunities are abundant in the area for recreation including boating, camping, hiking, birding, and fishing. Whiskeytown is also near the city of Redding, CA which can provide access to all large town amenities.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is an AmeriCorps volunteer position.
• Total $17,550.00 living Allowance for 900-hr commitment; approx. $1,350.00 biweekly (pre-tax)
• Education Award $3,447.50 for a 26-week appointment
• GBI offers health insurance (medical, dental and vision) to all members (including AmeriCorps and seasonal) at no extra cost.
• Holidays and time-off.

• AmeriCorps Program benefits include eligibility for Student Loan Forbearance; payments counted toward PSLF; eligibility for SNAP; opportunities for additional scholarships and grants; and more.

Job Qualifications:

Desired Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in botany, ecology, or a closely related field;
• Coursework in plant taxonomy and/or systematics, botany, or forestry;
• Ability to identify native and non-native plants of California and the Pacific Northwest; 
• Familiarity with ecological processes, and flora of California and the Pacific Northwest;
• Experience with data entry and data management;
• Experience with tablet data collection and experience with Collector or other databases; 
• Experience in performing field work, and applying methodological protocols for collecting data;
• Experience using hand-held GPS for navigation;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; 
• Willingness to assist with invasive plant management using herbicide treatments and manual methods; and
• Willingness to work long days and hike long distances in rugged terrain under variable weather conditions, including extreme heat.

Additional requirements:

• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; 
• Experience operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, particularly with unimproved roads;
• Possess a commitment to personal and team member safety, and communicate perceived safety threats immediately;
• Ability to work independently to accomplish goals;
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public;
• Possess good organizational skills;
• Possess a favorably adjudicated background clearance; and
• Must be motivated, self-directed, organized, and detail oriented in order to balance multiple tasks simultaneously.