Wetland Botanist, Field Technician

Position Description: Employees in these positions will be involved with collecting and processing biological, chemical and physical data for a wetland assessment. Primary duties include: quantifying wetland habitat, collecting biological and water samples, shipping samples, recording data and identifying plants to species. These surveys will be conducted by wading or a combination of wading and inflatable boats. You may have to contact landowners to request permission to access their property.  These positions require frequent work outdoors, at night, wading/boating in wetlands under adverse weather conditions.  You may be required to participate in long hikes over steep, brushy terrain with packs weighing up to 50 lbs.  Additional duties include driving long distances, cleaning, maintaining and repairing equipment. Work schedules will be irregular and may only be formalized days ahead of time depending on weather conditions and other factors. Starting and stopping times may vary on a daily basis. You will be expected to work anywhere from 20 to 80 hours per week (typically 40-60 hours).  All positions are based out of Bend OR ; however employees may be traveling for up to two months at a time with only infrequent days off.  Personal travel during your day off will be difficult if not impossible. Travel to and between work locations will be in Amnis Opes Institute (AOI) vehicles and employees will be either camping or staying in motels when traveling. AOI will provide lodging for the entire time employed.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

Ability to identify wetland plant species commonly found in ID, OR and WY. College coursework in plant taxonomy.  Professional experience identifying wetland plant species.  Familiarity with computers, multimeters and GPS units. Familiarity with wetland ecology and methods used to quantify wetland habitats. Experience hiking in and through wetlands.  Experience hiking off-trail on uneven terrain and steep slopes. Experience cleaning, maintaining and repairing field equipment. Experience driving on unimproved roads.

Requirements:

All applicants must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.  You must be able to work well with others and treat crew members and the public respectfully. Ability to work long irregular hours in adverse weather conditions with limited time off. Willingness to keep your personal opinion on logging, ranching, fishing etc., private when dealing with landowners and the public.  Ability to follow established protocols and accurately record data.  Duties may require lifting up to 80 lbs and carrying up to a 50 lb backpack through brushy stream banks. You must be able to work independently, efficiently and successfully complete assigned tasks.