Botany Technician (BLM, Lee Vining, CA)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, is recruiting 6 Botany Technician to support the Carson City Field Office, located in Carson City/Reno, NV. Please note that this position will be physically located out of the Lee Vining Area in CA, near Yosemite National Park. Under the direction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) resource specialists, would survey, map, assess, and monitor BLM sensitive species. 

Botany technicians, working with other Bureau of Land Management (BLM) resource specialists, would survey, map, assess, and monitor BLM sensitive species.  The botanical technicians would record habitat condition, plant diversity, native and non-native species invasions, along with documenting impacts to plants or habitat resulting from livestock overgrazing and off-highway vehicle (OHV) damage. The team would map noxious weeds and collect native seed for the Seeds of Success (SOS) restoration program.  Data collection will involve the use of mobile devices utilizing various apps appropriate for the task at hand. The team would synthesize field data with ancillary datasets and work with the BLM botanist, wildlife biologist, and rangeland management specialist to devise management actions to restore sensitive species and their habitat along with burned habitat. All collected data would be entered into a GIS and accompanying databases. Data analysis and written reports would follow.  Other duties include environmental outreach with youth and adults.

Duties Include:

• Record habitat condition, plant diversity, native and non-native species invasions, along with documenting impacts to plants or habitat resulting from livestock overgrazing and off-highway vehicle (OHV) damage;
• Map noxious weeds and collect native seed for the Seeds of Success (SOS) restoration program;
• Data collection using mobile devices utilizing various apps appropriate for the task at hand;
• Synthesize field data with ancillary datasets and work with the BLM botanist, wildlife biologist, and rangeland management specialist to devise management actions to restore sensitive species and their habitat along with burned habitat;
• Enter all collected data into a GIS and accompanying databases. Data analysis and written reports would follow; and
• Other duties include environmental outreach with youth and adults.

Ongoing projects within the Carson City District Office have necessitated botanical field work within the Carson City District.  This area, in western Nevada and eastern California, encompasses 5 million acres with a varied landscape made up of: coniferous forests of the Eastern Sierra Nevada; pinyon-juniper woodlands/sagebrush dominated areas; and salt desert shrub dominated areas.  Local ecosystems include: high-altitude montane, sand dunes, alkali playas, meadows, and areas recovering from wildfire.

Physical Demands:
Duties require outside work involving walking, bending, climbing hills, lifting and carrying various materials or supplies which are occasionally heavy.  Use of a UTV will be occasional.  Remote field sites will likely require frequent camping out at the site for a period of 1-3 nights.  Daily work shifts of 8 to 10 hours are anticipated within a 40 hour work week.

Approximately 90 percent of the work is in the field.  The fieldwork will involve driving and walking over rough and sandy terrain with wide variations in temperature ranging from below freezing in the fall and winter to above 90 degrees F during the summer.

Approximately 10 percent of the work is in the office. Office work involves: 

1.) Use GIS to create maps and conduct analysis;
2.) Visit University Herbarium to collect data on plant locations and to verify plant specimens;
3.) Enter data into the database;
4.) Process seed collections and ship to appropriate destinations;
5.) Report writing; and
6.) Create lesson plans and activities for environmental education.

The team nature of this position requires a dedication and openness to working with others who may have different personalities, perspectives/worldviews, experiences, and competencies.

Contract Timeline:

• 20 Wks appointment beginning in May 2025 through late October 2025; and
• Full-time (40 hrs/wk).

Location:

Lee Vining, CA: Lee Vining is located on the east side of the park along Highway 395. It is the closest town to the world famous Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park.
Compensation: Wages: $21/hr with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available, premium paid 100% by GBI;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing and training:

• Housing will be provided via federal housing in Lee Vining, CA; and
• Training will be provided by BLM.

Qualifications:

• A degree in Botany, Plant Ecology, Forestry, Rangeland Management or Natural Resource;
• Botanical technicians would have a basic knowledge of plant biology, with the ability to identify plants down to the species level using appropriate botany manuals and keys;
• Knowledge of Great Basin-Eastern Sierra Nevada vegetation is a plus, but that knowledge may also be gained while on the job;
• Knowledge of seed collection techniques (training will be done at Field Office or other locations);
• Ability to operate a Utility-Task-Vehicle (UTV) training and safety certification will be provided by the Field office as needed;
• Familiarity with common software applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, ESRI, Google Maps, etc;
• Experience with data entry and QA/QC procedures;
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills;
• Possession of a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license; and
• Be able to clear a DOI background check.