Summary

Serve as a Botanical Technician, patrolling backcountry areas in the district and assisting in data collection and resource management projects!

Position Description

The US Forest Service is partnering with Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation to hire two Botanical Technicians to join a recreation and natural resource summer field team on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Carson Ranger District.

The primary role of this position is to hike in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness and identify and inventory invasive plant species and GPS pinpoints along the trail corridors. Employees will also record and report trail maintenance needs.

The ability to hike up to 10 miles a day while carrying a backpack of up to 40 pounds and comfort in backcountry camping in remote areas is a must. Patrols may occur in pairs, groups, or individually.

Previous experience with plant identification is helpful but not required. Backpacking gear and training will be provided, as needed.

July & August employment

Ideal Start Date – Monday, June 30th (but this can be flexible). End date is also flexible

Work schedule is flexible but ideally would be working 4 10-hour days a week, followed by having 3 days off in a row.

Primary Responsibilities

• Wilderness Invasive Weed Species Inventory:
• Conduct a detailed, quantitative inventory of invasive species in the Carson-Iceberg and Mt. Rose Wildernesses to determine abundance and distribution of species populations.
• Support Forest Service System Trail and Trailhead Field Management:
• Perform routine trail maintenance tasks such as brushing, tread repairs, drainage installation, and logging out fallen trees.
• Construction of new trail, trail structures, and infrastructure per Forest Service handbook/manual direction; and
• Document and implement project work on trails allowing for safe and enjoyable travel by the public.
• Generation Green Conservation Education Program – Connect with high school students with public lands through internships.
• Work along with Forest Service staff, Generation Green Interns accomplish critical work on a variety of conservation projects, learn leadership skills, build their natural resource knowledge, and develop an ethic for environmental stewardship and civic responsibility;
• Individuals will be assigned to work in a crew comprised of other youth interns;
• Forest Service summer work may include trail work, campsite maintenance, invasive plant species removal, fuels reduction, and planting; and
• All summer interns will contribute to a variety of work projects to experience a well-rounded introduction to conservation work.
• Wilderness Internships that support Forest Service management directives.
• Patrol of the Carson-Iceberg, Mokelumne, and Mt. Rose Wildernesses;
• Provide a uniformed presence in the Wilderness to answer visitor questions, enforce regulations, advocate Leave No Trace Principles, check for overnight camping permits, and promote positive land ethics through leading by example;
• Perform light trail work maintenance, which may include clearing of downed trees, clearing drains, and brush back overgrowth;
• Monitor conditions and gather important Wilderness data, followed by a writing of brief trip reports; and
• Complete multi-night backcountry trips to hike into more remote locations.
• Support Forest Service Off Highway Vehicle, and/or Over-the-Snow vehicle field management.
• Acknowledge the development and the accomplishments of the district’s Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) and Over the Snow (OSV) program;
• Patrol OHV/OSV use areas to ensure areas are operated, used, and maintained in accordance with the recreation plan and other appropriate planning documents;
• Implement and manage the unit’s OHV/OSV recreation program by identifying and conducting maintenance and reconstruction of OHV/OSV routes;
• Supervise a small crew of volunteers to accomplish necessary trail maintenance projects;
• Operate and maintain assigned vehicles and trail maintenance equipment;
• Assists with the enforcement of Off-Road Vehicle Restrictions (ORV), including maintenance and posting of regulatory signs and enforcement of restrictions; and
• Provide public information and interpretive services, including detailed information concerning recreational opportunities.
• Support Forest Service Developed and Dispersed Field Management.
• Maintain the maintenance of recreation sites and trailheads;
• Provide support to Campground Hosts;

Qualifications

• Excited about working outside and hiking in varying conditions.
• Comfortable hiking up to 10 miles a day with up to a 40-lb backpack across mountainous terrain in varying weather conditions (although most days will be shorter mileage and weight than this).
• Ability to backcountry camp overnight in the Wilderness for multi-night trips. Most overnight trips will only be 1-4 nights but have the potential to go up to 7 consecutive nights (8 days) (employee personal schedule will be taken into consideration when trip planning). When 7-night hitches (trips) are utilized, the employee will have the following 6 days off in a row.
• Willingness to learn new skills and be a team player, while also working independently.

Compensation and Benefits

• $22.00/Hr
• $60 per diem for overnight stays
• Gear provided as needed
• Mileage reimbursement at $0.70/mile
• 4-day workweek (10 hour days)