Field Botanist

The Field Botanist works in the Plant Community Assessment Program to assist with long-term vegetation monitoring in Cleveland Metroparks. Field Botanist is a Natural Resources Specialist 3 (high-level, lead worker) position that leads field crews and assures quality control for intensive vegetation sampling. The Field Botanist reports to the Vegetation Research Coordinator at West Creek Reservation and works at reservations across the Cleveland Metroparks District.  Affordable housing may be available.

Field Botanist responsibilities include:

• Directs a 2-3-person field crew to implement vegetation monitoring protocol
• Navigates to, set-ups and samples 0.1 hectare (20 m x 50 m) permanent vegetation plots
• Records and maintains accurate, well-organized data in written and electronic format
• Identifies all plant species (herbaceous, shrub, and tree) with use of dichotomous keys, estimates plant coverage, measures vertical structure and identifies deer browse
• Collects and prepares plant voucher specimens
• Safely operates and maintains equipment including but not limited to forestry measurement tools, portable data collectors, and other related equipment.
• Assists in the development of reports, performing data entry and/or verification and making presentations related to assigned projects when directed.

Expectations:

• Prior experience with vegetation sampling (particularly the Vegetation Index of Biotic Integrity) and qualitative wetland assessment (Ohio Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands) is preferred.
• Familiarity with Ohio Flora including wetland plants.