Botanist/Mycologist

The Institute for Natural Resources – Portland is part of the Institute for Natural Resources (INR) with offices at Portland State University and Oregon State University. The INR was created by OSU and the Oregon Legislature in 2001 as an independent institute in the Research Office of OSU. At Portland State University, INR – Portland is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

As a research institute, INR helps decision makers identify and use relevant science in making natural resource policy and management decisions. INR works with local, state, federal, non-profit, and private organizations to produce maps, assessments, scientific reviews, datasets, and analyses for use in conservation planning, prioritization, and management.

The Botanist/Mycologist position will include field work during the field season (spring to fall) and computer/remote work during the off-season.

During the field season the Botanist/Mycologist will perform field work regarding rare and common species throughout Oregon and western North America. Field work will include recording detailed botanical data such as percent cover, species richness, and will include the identification of plants to species using regional flora with dichotomous keys. Field work will include work for the Bureau of Land Management wetland AIM (Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring) program where staff will go on 8-day “hitches” into remote and rugged areas with no access to cell phone service, dispersed camping with no facilities including showers, work in inclement weather, potential exposure to dangerous flora and faunas, driving through poorly maintained roads with a trailer, and close collaboration with a small crew.

During the off season the Botanist/Mycologist will work with the Institute for Natural Resources (INR) staff and external partners to gather, collate, standardize, assign species ranks, and disseminate information on plant, lichen, and fungi species of conservation concern in Oregon. The Botanist/Mycologist will utilize INR’s Biotics rare species data management system to ensure data standardization and completeness and work with INR partners to encourage data sharing; these partners include NatureServe, western Heritage Program staff, state and federal agencies, non-governmental agencies, and the public. They
will develop species status accounts for partners including the US Forest Service and will develop outreach and educational materials. They will identify funding opportunities and initiate new research partnerships, contributing to grant proposals budget development, project execution, and reporting.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Master’s degree in botany/mycology, natural resource management, conservation biology, or similar field
• Two years’ experience conducting field research projects.
• Demonstrated understanding of biological monitoring, data management, and status assessment.
• A valid driver’s license with clear driving record
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

Preferred qualifications include:

• Knowledge of the native flora of the Pacific Northwest
• Demonstrated experience writing and obtaining external funding awards
• Two years’ experience managing field research monitoring natural populations, and managing resulting data
• Understanding of conservation science and species monitoring
• Familiarity with the NatureServe Network of natural heritage programs and methodology
• Experience hiring, supervising, and coordinating staff or volunteers, including remote staff