Botanist

Website Announcement

Summary 

This is a posting for one full-time Botanist for the Tuolumne River Trust (TRT), functioning out of TRT’s Sonora office. This grant-funded position primarily supports the Forest Health Program’s operations and project development. However, the position will be able to support other TRT programs, such as river and meadow restoration, advocacy, and education, as time and funding allow. 

Information 

The Botanist will play a critical program role by working closely with TRT’s Forest Health Program Manager and Project Managers to monitor and protect botanical resources within forest health treatment units. The Botanist will be the primary liaison between TRT and the Stanislaus National Forest’s botanical and natural resources staff.  

Equity at TRT 

TRT holds a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity as core principles integral to the work we do. As we add new members across all levels of the organization, we seek diverse perspectives and lived experiences that foster learning, creativity, innovation, and equity.  

Duties and Responsibilities 

The position’s primary duties will be coordinating quality control on contracted botanical surveys and invasive species treatments (manual, mechanical, cultural, & chemical), consulting with project managers and contractors, monitoring forestry treatments within invasive and sensitive species sites, and assessing damage and any required mitigation to resources. In addition, the Botanist will be responsible for training TRT staff on botanical resource protection best management practices. The Botanist will help implement projects designed to increase the health and resilience of the Sierra Nevada forests, protecting and advocating for the ecological, social, and economic values that these forests provide. They will collaborate with TRT’s education and advocacy staff frequently.  The Botanist will spend considerable time in the field from Spring through Fall and will be responsible for conducting work in strenuous, remote, and poor weather conditions. 

Primary duties include: 

• Develop an annual program of work for botanical surveys and invasive plant treatments
• Manages botanical survey contracts and invasive plant treatment contracts
• Develops, oversees, and modifies established procedures for recording plant survey information to meet NEPA/CEQA requirements,
• Develops and conducts Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) treatments through manual, mechanical, chemical, and cultural methods.
• Conducts desktop pre-field review of project sites to identify survey areas for invasive and rare plant species
• Works with botanical survey contractors to review and approve their pre-field data protocols and survey plan
• Coordinate and direct threatened and endangered species and noxious weed surveys, ensuring adherence to protocols outlined by federal and state agencies
• Provide quality control of botanical surveys in the field as a project inspector
• Provide quality control of survey data collected in real-time, primarily through GIS software programs, providing feedback to contractors to improve survey methods and accuracy.
• Develops and conducts monitoring of restoration and weed treatment activities.
• Assist in implementing forestry, habitat improvement, and/or restoration projects
• Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Position System (GPS) technology to conduct plant surveys, identify impacts to threatened species, or evaluate inventory and monitoring of plant population
• Assist TRT and FS staff in GIS tool development and enhancement
• Ensures that botanical data produced from surveys is adequately compiled and reported to appropriate parties, meeting standards and regulations identified
• Assist with drafting and reviewing work proposals from botanical survey consultants seeking contracts to conduct botanical surveys
• Analyze populations and distributions of sensitive species and make recommendations for protection or management
• Develops vegetation plans for restoration and directs plant inventory and monitoring plans; Locates local sources of native plants and materials for restoration projects
• Develops and provides training for other staff
• Assist with the review and preparation of NEPA, CEQA, CESA, and other supporting documents as it relates to project work
• Stays current with current taxonomic changes and rare plant management practices.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications 

An ideal candidate should have a strong understanding and experience in botanical surveys to comply with federal and California state requirements. In addition, an ideal candidate would have experience supporting forest health treatments as a botanical surveyor and/or project manager. They will have strong communication skills and are comfortable working with many stakeholders to implement botanical surveys across large, landscape-level projects. Candidates should have an interest in and commitment to environmental conservation. This position is currently funded through grants from state and federal agencies.   

The ideal candidate will have a background and track record that includes: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in botany, biology, or a closely- related field AND
• A minimum of three years of relevant experience in a role where botany was the primary responsibility
• Professional expertise with botanical concepts, principles, laws, and regulations and can communicate this expertise verbally and in writing clearly and concisely.
• Experience or understanding of natural resource land management practices, especially as it pertains to botanical resources, on federal and private lands
• Familiarity with the plant communities and plant species found in the Sierra Nevada western slope mixed conifer forests is desirable
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), specifically ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, and Survey123
• Currently holds or will obtain a California Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) or California Qualified Applicator License (QAL).
• Project goal-oriented with initiative in fulfilling programmatic and grant-related obligations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public
• Is a team player and can interact effectively with people from different cultures and experiences
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Physically able to work in the field (hiking off-trail through heavy brush and on steep slopes, lifting, carrying supplies and equipment, etc.) during all seasons
• Ability to work from a home office with a good internet connection
• Must have a valid driver’s license, be fit and able to walk to forest project sites, and be able to lift at least 20 pounds