Seed Collection Crew Member (NPS, Columbia Plateau Ecoregion)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), are recruiting three (3) Seed Collection Crew Members to conduct seed collecting and ecological restoration activities throughout the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion on Department of Interior (DOI) lands and some coordinating areas including Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) 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, 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 with the SOS Technical Protocol;
• Recording data electronically and via 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 for up to five hours a day;
• Traveling in a truck for up to ten hours a day;
• Assisting with the coordination of conservation crew work;
• 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 training provided by GBI, DOI agencies, and community partners.

Timeline: 

• Starting June 2026; 18 wks; and
• Full time (40 hours/week).

Location:

Wenatchee, WA: The seed collection technicians will be based near Wenatchee, WA and will scout and collect seed from plant populations in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of Washington, spanning state and federal public lands.

Compensation and Benefits:  

Compensation: $21/hr with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost; and
• Access to Pro Deals such as Outdoor Prolink and Black Diamond.

Camping Per Diem: $35/day (when applicable).

Additional Benefits:

• 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;
• 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 or familiarity with plants of the region;
• 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 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;
• 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 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 in remote locations for a week at a time will regularly be required. Schedules are often determined by plant phenology.  

• 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; and
• Travel and camp overnight & up to 8 days at a time for project work.

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