The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Klamath National Forest, is recruiting two (2) Botany Technicians to participate in plant-related projects.

Botany Technicians will conduct rare plant surveys and monitor known occurrences of target species for various landscape management projects. Surveys will be conducted using both quantitative and intuitive controlled methods and will focus on habitat condition and the presence and abundance of target rare plants. Botanical keys will be used to identify rare plants. Data will be collected using a variety of methods including paper field forms and GIS programs on tablets (using apps such as Avenza, Survey123, and Field Maps). Technicians are responsible for data quality assurance and quality control, ensuring all data is entered into the appropriate databases of record, and for compiling and summarizing data for reports.

Botany Technicians will also assist with implementing the USFS Noxious Weed Management Program by treating existing infestations, mapping infestation ranges, and conducting Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) surveys. Treatments will include the use of manual and mechanical control measures including hand pulling, clipping, tarping, and the use of gas-powered weed eaters. Herbicides will not be used. Technicians will have data management responsibilities similar to those described for rare plant work. Additionally, the Botany Technicians may be responsible for directing large crews assisting with invasive plant treatments such as California Conservation Corps and Youth Conservation Corps.

Botany Technicians will be stationed in Happy Camp, California and will serve under the direction of the District Botanist. Field work will occur in remote locations, where cellular connections are unavailable or inconsistent. Field conditions may include 105 degree F summer weather, thunderstorms, abundant poison oak, insect bites, and wildlife encounters. Candidates should have good physical fitness, the ability to operate vehicles safely on rough, narrow roads, including the use of 4WD, and the ability and
willingness to hike steep slopes and endure hot temperatures throughout the summer.

Contract Timeline:

o Beginning in mid-May through October/November 2024
o Full time, 40 hours/week

Location:The Klamath National Forest covers an area of 1,700,000 acres located mainly in Siskiyou County, CA. It ranges in elevation from 450 to 8,900 feet above sea level and is considered one of the most biologically diverse regions in the United States. Over 3,000 species of plants have been documented here, a very high number for an area this size. The Forest has a famously high diversity of conifers, with 19 species of conifer documented in one square mile. The tremendous local diversity has been attributed to variable climate and geology, the intersection of the Coast Range, the Cascades, and Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the area serving as an unglaciated refuge during the last ice age.

Forest encompasses five wilderness areas including: Marble Mountain, Russian, Trinity Alps, Red Buttes and Siskiyou wilderness areas. Trailheads are numerous and hikes range from easy to arduous. There are 200 miles of river system for rafting and 152 miles of wild and scenic rivers on the Forest. The Forest has 28 campgrounds, and world-class hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. With the Klamath, Salmon, and Scott Rivers meandering from one end of the Forest to the other, recreationists have found a playground that offers virtually everything (except crowds) to the outdoor enthusiast.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $21 per hour
• Housing stipend of $500 per month.
• $15/day field camping per diem when applicable.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost

Job Qualifications:

Technical requirements:

• Knowledge and interest in botany (familiarity with Northern California flora preferred);
• Proficiency using botanical keys and field guides to identify plants;
• Experience utilizing hand-held GPS units or tablets for navigation and/or data collection ;
• Familiarity with the use of topographic maps and compasses;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access databases as well as ArcGIS;
• Experience operating 4WD trucks on and off-road, including mountainous forest roads, preferred; and
• Familiarity with the use of hand tools and gas engine weed eaters. Chain saw certification/experience is highly desirable.

Additional requirements:

• Willingness to work in and around poison oak
• Ability to self-motivate and collaborate with others
• Ability to create and maintain a safe service environment
• Possess good organizational skills
• Willingness to work outdoors in variable or adverse weather conditions, and able to hike 5-6 miles daily on uneven terrain, sometimes off trail
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse public
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; and
  
  

Please note Happy Camp, CA, is an exceptionally remote and small community, offering a serene setting far from crowded urban centers. With its minimal population and location in the vast Klamath National Forest, it's perfect for seasonal jobs seeking solitude and a deep connection with nature. Ideal for individuals who cherish outdoor adventures and a quiet, close-knit community life.