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Botany Crew Lead and Members, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba and American River Districts

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
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Location Details/Description: Work is based out of Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Office in Nevada City, CA. This is a zone crew serving the Yuba River and American River Ranger Districts, Tahoe National Forest.
The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and recreational opportunities and is managed by the US Forest Service.
For more information about Tahoe National Forest, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe
Position Overview: The Botany Team Leads will plan, coordinate logistics, and train Botany Members to conduct targeted botanical surveys for rare and invasive plants and the habitats. They will coordinate with the Forest Service botanist in developing data collection and reports for use in habitat and species condition analyses. The Botany Member position will take direction from the lead in conducting the botanical surveys and documentation. All positions will work independently and as a team to coordinate work efforts, discuss technical requirements, and present study findings or discuss technical problems encountered or anticipated during project work.
Botanical Surveys:
  • Participates and conducts floristic and targeted surveys for rare and invasive plants within project areas.
  • Collects documentation used in species and habitat analysis related to impacts from projects. Produces reports that summarize findings to be used in analysis.
  • Collects survey and inventory data to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions and factors affecting the vigor and extent of the species and their habitat.
  • Uses botanical keys and field guides to identify plants encountered during floristic surveys and revisits of known sites.
  • Compiles and summarizes the data obtained from surveys, inventories, biological evaluations and monitoring
  • Uses computer systems and associated software for recording, organizing, storing, and summarizing data.
  • Performs physical labor and daily hiking, often to remote locations in rugged terrain under sometimes adverse weather conditions
  • Performs the full range of technical assignments consisting of invasive plant treatment, management, inventory, and monitoring. Treatments primarily involve hand-pulling, hand tools, and power tools but will also include herbicide application.
  • Uses global positioning systems (GPS), aerial photographs, topographic maps, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or compass in navigation
  • Office time will be spent finalizing documentation of the surveys.
Range Monitoring:
  • Conducts standardized protocols to collect range utilization data in 8 active allotments throughout both districts.
  • Compiles and summarizes utilization information collected in forms.
  • Reports findings to the Forest Service Botanist for coordination with permittees.
  • Uses dichotomous keys for identification of key species in monitoring sites.
  • Maintains fences protecting certain sensitive areas from cattle.
Botany Crew Lead Objectives in addition to above:
  • Plans surveys using spatial data and habitat information.
  • Trains crew in protocols, botanical identification, and data management.
  • Manages and quality checks data collected by ACE Team Members throughout the season.
  • Manages the daily safety, planning and logistics of crew.
  • Enters finalized data into FS database.
  • Takes direction and priorities in work from FS Botanist.
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Schedule: Monday-Thursday 7:00am- 5:30pm.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $840/week (CM)and $950/week (CL) to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available in government barracks at a daily rate of approximately $10-20/day by the Forest. Housing assistance of up to $250/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.
Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include by the USFS will provide the member with supervision and training with a botanist to learn about botanical disciplines (e.g. invasive plant removal techniques, GIS mapping, quantitative and qualitative plant monitoring, plant systematics and taxonomy, seed collection and restoration techniques).
Qualifications
Applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, and have experience with botany, either in the field or through coursework. Individuals with Master's degrees are highly encouraged to apply. This is a highly demanding outdoor job that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility, participation in the field, and a tolerance for adverse weather and demanding conditions.
ACE Required:
  • Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.S. government contracts
  • Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
  • Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
  • A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
  • Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
  • ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
  • To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.
USFS Required:
  • A foundational knowledge of botany and plant identification is required for this position and be willing to learn additional key skills.
  • Knowledge of basic taxonomic principles and characteristics of major plant families and experience using taxonomic keys
  • Knowledge of the technical processes, procedures and techniques related to biological science samples, measurements, and analysis
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
  • Proven ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
  • Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals
Preferred:
  • Experience driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely in off-road conditions
  • Experience hiking over remote, steep, and rocky terrain in adverse weather conditions (cold/hot temps, light rain, etc.)
  • Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS, mobile devices, and maps
  • Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete survey tasks
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Excel/Word, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online (AGOL) and AGOL applications.
  • Competency in data entry work, summarizing and compiling data
  • Leadership experience and conflict resolution.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager, Celia Demers at cdemers@usaconservation.org
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.