Terrestrial Monitoring Crew Leads/Botanists

Terrestrial Monitoring Crew Leads/Botanists, O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West  

The University of Montana (UM) O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West (OCRMW) is partnering with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to implement their Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy. This protocol is targeted at collecting standardized inventory and long-term vegetation and soils data at multiple scales across BLM Districts in the Western U.S.  

We are currently recruiting Crew Leads/Botanists with experience in botany, ecology, and soil science for data collection in Montana and Idaho from April/May through late August or early September. Must be able to start on or before May 13th and commit through at least August 4. 

The Crew Lead/Botanist will lead 1-2 technicians to collect vegetation and soils data in desert, sagebrush-steppe, and grassland ecosystems. Crews work eight-day hitches: 10-hours/day, from Tuesday-Tuesday, with a six-day break between hitches. All positions are field-based and require working and camping in isolated regions. We ask seasonal staff to commit to the entire field season, practice safety awareness, safe driving policies, and contribute to building a healthy, productive and enjoyable work environment. 

Applicants should understand that this is physically demanding work. Crews often work and camp in inclement weather conditions, frequently navigating rough, unpaved roads in 4×4 vehicles, and carrying heavy loads (35 lbs.) on foot over rugged desert and mountainous terrain. Sampling locations are occasionally near a small town, but these towns often have few amenities. Primitive camping is required. Cell phone service is limited. 

UM supplies all necessary monitoring equipment, including vehicles, to carry out the work. We provide some group camping gear (stoves, coolers). Individuals are responsible for their personal camping gear (tents, sleeping bags) but UM does assist employees with purchasing some field/camping equipment, up to $500 value. 

Position Details 

• Position is full time, temporary.
• Compensation starts at $21 per hour, based on qualifications and experience.
• All positions include (tax-free):
• $352 meal per diem per 8-day hitch
• Field/Camping Equipment (kept by employee upon completion of field season, up to $500 value)
• Benefits include Worker’s Compensation coverage, up to two paid holidays, and accrual of sick leave.

Qualifications 

We encourage individuals with relevant skills and a strong desire to learn to apply for this position, even if you don’t fully meet all listed qualifications. These positions are an excellent opportunity to develop skills and significant training is provided. 

Education and Experience 

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, botany, soil science, range ecology, natural resources management, or related subject.
• A minimum of two full field seasons or one full year collecting vegetation and soils data in desert, sagebrush-steppe, grassland or similar plant community (BLM Terrestrial AIM experience preferred). A completed master’s degree with field work can satisfy this requirement.

Preferred Technical Skills 

• Experience identifying plants to species in the field using a dichotomous key (e.g., Flora of the Pacific Northwest, Hitchcock and Cronquist), including challenging taxa.
• Familiarity with commonly accepted plant nomenclature and taxonomy.
• Experience preparing and organizing voucher and herbarium specimens.
• Ability to describe basic soil characteristics.
• Careful attention to detail.
• Experience carrying out data quality checks.
• Experience following established field protocols to conduct sampling and field data collection.
• Experience with data entry and management using electronic devices.
• Experience navigating off-trail with compass and GPS.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and ESRI products (Survey 123, Field Maps).
• Experience driving 4WD trucks, especially on rough and unmaintained roads. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record (DUI or other serious convictions need not apply).
• Certification in CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

Professional Skills 

• Experience supervising technicians, volunteers, or undergraduate students. Leadership in a volunteer or community organization, or in the military, can satisfy this requirement.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve interpersonal conflict during stressful situations.
• Ability to interact with stakeholders and partners in a professional manner.
• Experience managing gear and equipment for a crew, lab class, team, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and to work independently as required.
• Commitment to an entire field season.

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to carry 35 pounds in a backpack over rugged mountainous terrain, off-trail, for up to eight (8) miles a day, gaining up to 2000 ft. of elevation on occasion.
• Ability to dig soil pits in rocky and dense clay soils (70 cm deep).
• Willingness and ability to maintain a positive attitude in field conditions that include exposure to inclement weather, cold or hot weather (20°F–110°F), rugged terrain, mosquitos, venomous snakes, bears and other wildlife, lightning, wildfire, etc., all while maintaining a strong commitment to team safety required.
• Willingness to work irregular hours in harsh environments and challenging weather conditions.

Training 

These positions are ideal for people who are committed to ongoing learning and development. You will receive paid training on AIM protocols and associated methodology. UM ecologists will also provide additional training on safety protocols and plant identification for the area in which you will be working, and ongoing field-based support and training from specialists during the field season. You will have the opportunity to interact with seasoned staff scientists from both the BLM and UM throughout training and field work.  

Location 

Base locations: 

• Missoula, MT
• Bozeman, MT