Native Seed Program Technician (DOI, Great Basin Region)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Park Service (NPS), are recruiting 20 Native Seed Technicians to conduct seed collecting and ecological restoration activities throughout the Great Basin on Department of Interior (DOI) lands.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Scouting and identifying populations of target native plant species suitable for collection;
• Mapping of populations of plants, disturbance areas, and other features using tablets, handheld devices, ArcGIS Online, ArcPro, and ESRI apps such as FieldMaps and Survey 123;
• Monitoring the phenology of plant populations to identify optimal seed collection times;
• Collecting seed from plant populations for both operational and conservation collections in accordance with the Seeds of Success (SOS) Technical Protocol;
• Processing and shipping seed following standard industry procedure;
• Collecting herbarium vouchers, and processing and shipping in accordance to the SOS Technical Protocol;
• Collecting tissue samples for genetic analysis and processing and shipping, as necessary;
• Certifying seed collections following state agency protocols;
• Recording data electronically and on paper data forms, entering and editing data related to restoration activities;
• Photographing collection sites and plants;
• Maintaining and regularly conducting inventory of field gear;
• Daily and monthly vehicle checks;
• Driving a truck up to five hours a day;
• Traveling in a truck up to ten hours a day;
• Assisting with the coordination of conservation crew work;
• Assisting with the coordination of volunteer seed collection and restoration events;
• Assisting with species survey work, as needed;
• Providing support for arid land restoration projects;
• Reporting accomplishments and providing recommendations for program improvements, priorities, and future projects; and
• Participating in trainings provided by GBI, DOI agencies, and community partners.

Physical Demands:  
Field work involves driving GBI trucks on both highways and 4WD roads, often for 100+ miles per day as well as hiking off designated trails or routes, across rugged terrain, up to 5 miles per day, but more typically 0-1 mile per day. Seed collection requires regular stooping, standing and maneuvering on uneven terrain for many hours a day. Weather conditions will vary from cold winds and precipitation in the early spring to temperatures over 100F in the summer. The use of global positioning systems (handheld GPS units), computers, tablets, digital cameras, and on- and off-road vehicles are an essential part of the job. Camping under primitive conditions at remote locations on data collection trips will regularly be required. Schedules are often determined by plant phenology.  

Incumbents must also be willing to spend days at a time working at a computer during periods of data entry and analysis.

• Lift up to 50-70 pounds of material or equipment.
• Bend, lift, pull, and push.
• Crouch, stoop, kneel, stand, or bend for long periods of time.
• Drive for many hours a day on highways and 4WD roads.
• Handle plant material for many hours a day.
• Walk and stand for long periods of time on uneven surfaces carrying equipment.
• Be outside in extreme heat or cold (depending upon the season).
• Occasionally work 10+ hour days.
• Travel and camp overnight & up to 8 days at a time for project work.

Contract Timeline:

26-week appointment beginning April 2023.

Location:

Multiple positions are available in the Great Basin through various Department of Interior agencies. Please indicate your availability and preferred locations/positions when applying. We encourage applying early in order to gain the best chance at getting your top-choice locations.

Nevada

(1) Location: Reno, NV at the Reno FWS Office (working at Sheldon NWR and adjacent BLM lands)

(2) Location: Winnemucca, NV at the Winnemucca BLM office (working on BLM lands)

(3) Location: Tonopah, NV at the Tonopah BLM Field Office (working on BLM lands)

(4) Location: Fallon, NV at the FWS Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge (working on Stillwater NWR and BLM lands)

(5) Location: Elko, NV at the Elko BLM District Office (working on BLM lands)

(6) Location: Ely or Baker, NV at Great Basin National Park (working at Great Basin National Park and BLM lands)

(7) Location: Ely or Caliente, NV at the Basin and Range National Monument and Caliente Field Office (working on BLM lands)

Idaho

(8) Location: Boise, ID at the Boise BLM District Office (working on BLM lands within the Owyhee, Bruneau, and Vale Field Offices)

Oregon

(9) Location: Burns, OR at the Burns BLM District Office (working on BLM lands)

Utah

(10) Location: Salt Lake City, UT at the West Desert District Office (working on BLM lands)

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wages: up to $21/hr with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week;
• Camping Per Diem: $34/day (when applicable)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost.

Additional benefits:

• Eligibility for pro deals through GBI, such as Outdoor Prolink and Black Diamond
• Training provided; SOS Seeds Collection and Protocol training, Defensive driver’s training (eligible for discounts on your personal vehicle insurance), report writing, and technical skills trainings;
• Opportunity to network with GBI and federal partners for career advancement

Job Qualifications:

Technical requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework and field experience related to biology, botany, ecology, plant science, taxonomy/systematics, or related field;
• Experience identifying plants using taxonomic keys or familiarity with plants of the Great Basin;
• Experience with data entry;
• Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for data collection and navigation;
• Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass;
• Familiarity driving 4WD vehicles on- and off-road;
• Experience operating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) on difficult terrain, helpful for certain locations;
• Understanding and/or experience using ArcGIS Pro, and ESRI apps like Field Maps and Survey 123, helpful.

Additional requirements: 

• Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing desert conditions, including extreme temperatures, and as part of a team;
• Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days, up to 8 days;
• Ability to bend and stoop for long periods of time while collecting seed, and to use hand tools, and occasionally lift buckets of water and other heavy loads;
• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 am, to avoid heat-related issues, to follow plant phenology, or for coordination with team members.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work as part of a tight knit team (Crews will be two people, which requires technicians to co-lead, take initiative, and behave in a manner that promotes team integrity);
• Ability to work independently or in pairs with little supervision, strong initiative, and high attention to detail;
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record.