Vegetation Technician – Craters of the Moon NM (NPS, Idaho)

Job Description:

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service, is recruiting 1 Vegetation Technician at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, in Arco, ID. The selected applicant will work under the direction of the assigned Park Service Staff. Some work may occur at other southern Idaho parks (Minidoka National Historic Site, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and City of Rocks National Reserve). Housing is available at CRMO in shared housing units.

Project activities will occur at all three southern Idaho NPS units (Craters of the Moon NMP, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, and Minidoka National Historical Site). Interns will have the opportunity to work with park staff on resource projects for the purpose of providing the broadest range of experiences and exposure to the NPS and natural resource management. 

Vegetation Management Duties:

• Work in a team and with park staff to treat invasive plants at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve;
• Survey, identify, map exotic vegetation;
• Treat exotic vegetation through hand-pulling, cutting, or herbicide application;
• Document treatments and update files and GIS layers;
• Maintain equipment;
• If interested, will be able to study and test for the Idaho Pesticide Applicator’s License;
• Work in a team to monitor vegetation health;
• Survey, identify, map native vegetation;
• Monitor vegetation and historical treatment areas;
• Hazard tree surveys;
• Forest health monitoring;
• Document and update files;

Restoration:

• Seed collection
• Seed dispersal in restoration sites;
• Plant seedlings in disturbed areas;

Other duties:

• Preparing information (print and/or oral) for sharing with public about invasives at CRMO;
• Assist wildlife team, as needed.

Contract Timeline:

• 26 week appointment beginning in June 2024, pending successful completion and passage of a DOI Background Investigation;
• Full-time, 40 Hrs/wk.

Location:

This position is based out of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (CRMO) in Arco, ID. Some work may occur at other southern Idaho parks (Minidoka National Historic Site, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and maybe City of Rocks National Reserve). Housing is available at CRMO in shared housing units.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage: $17.50/hr;
• Housing is available on site at no cost;
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost;
• Access to Prodeals.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource mgmt, botany, or related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and field experience (current students welcomed);
• Enthusiasm about the position, with interest in and knowledge of botany and invasive species monitoring;
• Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the PNW and/or Great Basin;
• Proficiency using dichotomous keys, such as the Jepson Manual or Flora of the PNW to identify vascular plants;
• Experience with ArcGIS applications such as Field Maps and/or Survey 123;
• Ability to safely navigate to field sites using maps/compass and handheld GPS devices; 
• High level of proficiency leading field work in dynamic field settings; 
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Experience with data entry and QA/QC procedures;
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills;
• Possession of a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license.