Vegetation Technician (NPS, San Francisco Bay Area Network Inventory & Monitoring Network)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with The National Park Service, is recruiting 1 Vegetation Technician for the San Francisco Bay Area Network Inventory & Monitoring Program (SFAN). Under the direction of the SFAN Botanist, the selected candidate will lead a small crew implementing standard plant community monitoring techniques and identifying vascular plant species as they revisit permanent plots throughout Network parks. The Technician will contribute to long-term plant community datasets by performing a variety of field and office tasks associated with annual monitoring. This position is primarily field based and will require moderate to strenuous physical exertion, including hiking with 20 to 30 lbs of gear up steep slopes and/or over uneven terrain. Field work involves driving a vehicle for daily commutes to field sites and will include two or more camping trips to Pinnacles National Park. Common environmental hazards associated with field work include poison oak (those with strong reactions should know that exposure is frequent and sometimes unavoidable), ticks, strong winds, and inclement weather.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct vegetation monitoring according to the SFAN Plant Community Monitoring Protocol;
• Hike to pre-determined plot locations, identify vascular plants to species using dichotomous keys, such as the Jepson Manual, and prepare herbarium-quality voucher specimens;
• Coordinate field planning and logistics, and safely leads crew members in the field;
• Correctly enter data into a Microsoft Access database and perform data quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC);
• Contribute to written materials to annual reports;
• Occasionally assist with operations of other SFAN or Park projects, as needed.

Timeline:

• March – August 2024, 18 weeks
• Full time (40 hours/week)

Location:

Field work will occur throughout several SFAN Parks including Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, Point Reyes National Seashore, Pinnacles National Park, and John Muir National Historic Site. The Technician will be stationed in the Marin Headlands of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Marin Headlands offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, and surfing, as well as proximity to the urban amenities of San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Compensation: $25hourly
• 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
• Paid leave and holidays
• Access to Pro Deals

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and field experience;
• Enthusiasm about the position, with knowledge and interest in vegetation monitoring, botany, and plant ecology;
• Familiarity with vascular plants of SFAN Parks and/or California’s central coast;
• Proficiency using dichotomous keys to identify vascular plants;
• Ability to safely navigate to field sites using maps/compass and handheld GPS devices;
• High level of proficiency leading fieldwork in remote field settings;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Experience with data entry and QA/QC procedures;
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills;
• Willing to undergo and pass required background checks;
• Driving: Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record.