Botanist

Employer: Johnson Service Group, Inc. (for Tennessee Valley Authority)
Location: Currently a hybrid position, with residence in TVA Region                               

Position Description: TVA’s Biological Compliance group has an immediate opening for an in-house contractor to assist with impact assessment activities on rare plant species and other resources in Tennessee and portions of surrounding states (NC, VA, KY, GA, AL, and MS). Other duties include plant community assessments along transmission line corridors and other TVA project sites. Pay is dependent upon education and experience. This is a contractor position with limited health benefits and eventual opportunities for paid time off. Position is non-permanent and based on workloads; work hours are typically 40 hours/week, but cannot be guaranteed. Primary duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist staff botanist with field surveys of terrestrial habitats such as, power line right-of-way, current and future project sites, natural areas, etc., which will require overnight and regional/out-of-state travel and work in adverse weather conditions and variable terrains.
• Implement standardized processes and appropriate quality control practices for office and field duties.
• Support project staff in assessing potential effects of TVA projects and federally permitted activities on rare plant species in the TVA power service area and TN watershed to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, etc. and support environmental stewardship activities.
• Use ArcGIS Pro to create resource maps based on data collected in the field.
• Assist staff biologists, as directed, in routine office activities by providing technical support in the analysis of data from TVA’s Natural Heritage Database, TVA reports, scientific literature, and GIS (ArcMap) files for technical input and reports.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in botany, field ecology, conservation biology, or closely related field. Applicants with no college degree considered if they have demonstrated at least four years of relevant field experience and excellent writing and oral communication skills at the professional level.

Skills and Proficiencies:

• Basic understanding of biological and ecological concepts, principles, and practice.
• Basic knowledge of plant community management principles and practices.
• Familiarity of rare plant species and invasive plant species of the Southeast desired.
• Ability to delineate plant communities and identify rare plant communities.
• Knowledge of regulatory issues, policies, and laws related to endangered and threatened species particularly desirable.
• Proficient use of computers for word processing and spreadsheet manipulations; familiarity with natural heritage database software and concepts desired.
• Use of GPS to collect field data and ArcGIS Pro to create maps.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.