Native Seed Technician (Multiple Locations)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Park Service (NPS), are recruiting 14 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, recording, entering, and managing data of plant populations, 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;
• Working with state agencies to certify seed collections following state protocols;
• 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;
• Camping for multiple days on public lands under primitive conditions;
• 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.

Timeline: 

• 26-week appointment beginning March 30, 2026; and
• Full time (40 hours/week).

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 to help your chances of getting your top-choice locations. 

The BLM is the largest land manager in the United States, managing 245 million acres of public lands. BLM manages multiple uses across regions and landscapes. BLM lands in the Great Basin are home to historic mining and ranching that conjure up images of the Wild West. The region’s mountain ranges and valleys are home to diverse plant communities, wildlife, livestock, and wild horse and burros. 

The USFWS is the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the American people. USFWS manages public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. More than 560 refuges span the country, protecting iconic species and providing wildlife viewing opportunities. 

The NPS has been entrusted with the care of our national parks since 1916. NPS manages 428 parks, preserving the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. 

Nevada

(1) Location: Choice of Reno, NV at the Reno FWS Office or Winnemucca, NV at the Winnemucca BLM District Office (working at Sheldon-Hart NWR and BLM lands) 

The Reno-Sparks metropolitan area is home to approximately 500,000 people and offers year-round recreation opportunities, a vibrant urban scene and numerous community events. Reno has over 300 days of sunshine and four distinct seasons. Located on the northwestern edge of Nevada, Reno is a great home base from which to travel to the Great Basin, Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada range, San Francisco and more!

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge protects more than half a million acres of high desert habitat for large wintering herds of pronghorn antelope, scattered bands of bighorn sheep, and a rich assortment of other wildlife, and is one of the few intact sagebrush steppe ecosystems in the Great Basin. The landscape is vast, rugged, and punctuated with waterfalls, narrow gorges, and lush springs among rolling hills and expansive tablelands of sagebrush and mountain mahogany.

The BLM Winnemucca District Office (WDO) in northwestern Nevada is nested in the basin and range province of the western U.S. The WDO is approximately 2.5 hours northeast of Reno, NV and 2 hours west of Elko, NV on I-80, and 5.5 hours south of Boise, ID on State Highway 95. The District encompasses roughly 11 million acres, of which 7.38 million acres are public lands managed by the BLM. Winnemucca is surrounded by a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.

(2) Location: Tonopah, NV at the Tonopah BLM Field Office (working on Tonopah FO and Bishop (CA) FO BLM lands)

Tonopah, NV is located ~220 miles southeast of Reno, NV.  Tonopah and the surrounding area (pop. ~2,000) is rural; situated in the high desert (~6,000 ft. elevation) where ranching/mining are the local economic drivers. The Tonopah Field Office within the Battle Mountain District Office is responsible for managing approximately 6.5 million acres of public land typically of basin-and-range topography with Great Basin Desert/sagebrush steppe ecotype. Opportunities for recreation abound from fishing, hiking, horseback riding and camping to visiting ghost towns, petroglyph sites, rockhounding and stargazing. Tonopah has access to numerous wilderness areas such as the Arc Dome Wilderness situated in the southern portion of the Toiyabe Range that offers breathtaking vistas, seemingly endless trails and spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. 

Bishop, CA sits in the Eastern Sierras about halfway between Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks. The city of Bishop is located near the California-Nevada border about 200 miles from Reno and 270 miles from both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The area is famously known for its iconic outdoor recreation such as climbing, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, hang-gliding, and more. Culture and entertainment include a local theater group, museums, art galleries, live music, and a range of small shops and restaurants.

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

Nestled in the Lahontan Valley about 60 miles east of Reno is the downright neighborly community of Fallon. Often referred to as “The Oasis of Nevada,” thanks to the region’s formerly high volume of water, the area is a wonderful host to boundless outdoor activities.

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is a desert oasis for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, wildlife, and plants. It is located in the Lahontan Valley, near the community of Fallon, sixty miles east of Reno. It was established in 1949 and encompasses 79,570 acres.

**Government housing is available at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge at a discounted rate. Housing is comfortable, with shared quarters and shared kitchen and communal space. From the bunkhouse, the closest community is located in Fallon, which is about a 15-minute drive. For field work, a vehicle will be available but a personal vehicle will be necessary for daily living as public transportation is limited. Hired technicians may also find housing in Reno and commute to Stillwater NWR on the first and last day of each field tour.

(4) Location:  Ely, NV (working at Great Basin National Park and Ely BLM District Office lands) 

Ely, NV is a mountain town of about 5,000 people in a typical basin-and-range valley with mountains on either side that rise to 10,000+ feet. The Ely District Office is responsible for managing approximately 12 million acres of public land typically of basin-and-range topography with Great Basin Desert/sagebrush steppe ecotype.  Great Basin National Park is about a 1 hour drive from Ely, NV.

Great Basin National Park is in eastern Nevada near the Utah border. In the north, the mountain-hugging Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive leads to towering Wheeler Peak. Nearby is one of several ancient bristlecone pine groves. The marble Lehman Caves have distinctive stalactites and other formations. Park wildlife includes bighorn sheep.

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

The Elko BLM District encompasses 12.5 million acres and has topography typical of the Great Basin with broad valleys separated by mountain ranges. Elevations range from 4,000 to over 10,000 feet. The city of Elko (pop. 21,000) is located along the I-80 corridor and is approximately 230 miles west of Salt Lake City, UT and 290 miles east of Reno, NV. Recreation opportunities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, abound in this region

Oregon

(6) Location: Vale, OR or Boise, ID at the BLM Vale District Office (working on BLM Vale and Burns District Office lands)

The Vale and Burns BLM Districts are located in southeastern Oregon, extending from the Oregon-Nevada border on the south into the Blue Mountains on the north, and borders Idaho to the east. 

Vale, Oregon, is a historic small city in Malheur County about 15 miles west of the Idaho border. Vale is a gateway to Eastern Oregon’s outdoor recreation. Its close proximity to the Owyhee Mountains, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and Owyhee Lake make it a hotspot for fishing, hiking, and hunting. The city offers a sparse suburban feel and a strong community focus on history, featuring Oregon Trail murals and the historic Rinehart’s Stone House. 

Boise is the capital and most populous city in the state of Idaho. The tree-lined city is along the Boise River, home to Boise State University, and close to nearby mountains. Downtown Boise is the cultural center and home to many small businesses, shops, and restaurants. Technicians may choose to live in Boise, ID and commute to field/work sites using the provided work vehicle.

Utah

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

Salt Lake City is the capital and most populated city of Utah, being one of the principal urban centers within the Great Basin! Salt Lake City (SLC) has a strong tourist industry heavily based on skiing and outdoor recreation, festivals, museums and arts, and rich history. It is located at the northeast corner of Salt Lake Valley and is surrounded by the Great Salt Lake to the northwest, the impressive Wasatch Range to the east, and Oquirrh Mountains to the west. The BLM West Desert District Office manages 7.7 million acres of land, many of which fall within the Great Basin.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $22.50 hourly; overtime at 1.5x hourly rate;

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Per diem: $34/day (when applicable).

Additional benefits:

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

Qualifications:

Technical requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or coursework and field experience related to biology, botany, ecology, plant science, taxonomy/systematics, or related field;
• Experience identifying plants using taxonomic keys and/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; and
• 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 5-7 gallon water containers 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; and
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record.

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 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 in remote locations for a week at a time is required.

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