Job Details

Job Location

Whiskeytown, CA

Position Type

Seasonal

Salary Range

$20.00 - $20.00 Hourly

Job Category

Vegetation Research & Monitoring

Description

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS) to recruit four Vegetation Technicians that will work with NPS staff to conduct surveys and implement management strategies for rare and invasive plants. The work will focus on a variety of objectives that contribute to a multi-year effort to promote native vegetation recovery and plant conservation in a post-fire environment at WHIS. The crew will work outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions (heat, cold, insects, etc.). Training and support will be provided for all duties.

This position may shift to an AmeriCorps position in which accepted applicants would be eligible for an education award. More inform can be provided during the review process.

Primary Responsibilities

Assist with both manual and herbicide treatments of invasive plants under the training and supervision of park staff;
Properly identify vascular plant species and utilize dichotomous keys;
Assist with field data collection, data entry, and QA/QC;
Estimate cover of vascular plants;
Collect and process seed of native plants for habitat restoration efforts;
Maintain field equipment and tools;
Be a productive member of the WHIS rare & invasive plant team;
Participate in GBI or partner-sponsored training opportunities;
Monitor site-specific conditions and report safety concerns to the crew lead;
Walking long distances over uneven terrain, off-trail, often in dense vegetation;
Navigating off-trail with map compass and GPS;
Collecting vegetation data using established procedures;
Ensuring the consistency of data quality during the field season;
Treating invasive vegetation; and
Maintaining safety awareness and practices.

The successful applicants must have strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and exhibit strong teamwork and organization skills. Work ethic and professionalism will be valued above all else. Office tasks are only about 5% of work but include data organization, processing and QA/QC; and compiling concise field notes. The weekly field schedule follows a 9-hour day schedule from Monday to Thursday, with a 4-hour day on Fridays Changing conditions may require flexibility in set schedules.

Whiskeytown NRA was directly impacted by the 2018 Carr Fire, which burned 97% of the park. Work completed by the rare & invasive plants team will help to address recovery of vegetation after this fire and aid in the management of park vegetation going forward. Read more about Whiskeytown NRA and the Carr Fire here: https://www.nps.gov/whis/carrfire.htm

Timeline

May 2025 to late September 2025; and
Full time (40 hours/week).

Location:

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is home to a diverse assemblage of plant species, due in part to the park's location within the Klamath Mountain physiographic province and its proximity to the Cascade Mountains, Coast Range, and Sacramento Valley. The park's broad range in elevation, rugged topography, numerous soil types, and history of natural and human disturbance also contribute to the park's species richness. The park's many plant communities often intergrade with one another forming indistinct boundaries across the landscape. In general, these communities can be lumped into seven broad categories: Knobcone Pine, Chaparral, Mixed Oak Woodlands, Blue Oak Grasslands, Ponderosa Pine, Mixed Conifer, and Riparian. Whiskeytown NRA is located in the heart of Northern California. Opportunities are abundant in the area for recreation including boating, camping, hiking, birding, and fishing. Whiskeytown is also near the city of Redding, CA which can provide access to all large town amenities.

Compensation And Benefits

Compensation: $20 hourly. *Position pay may vary based on funding. More details to be provided upon the start of applicant review.

Benefits: *Position benefits may vary based on funding. More details to be provided upon the start of applicant review.

Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
$25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
Personal leave and holidays; and
Access to Pro Deals.

Qualifications

Required:

Willingness to assist with invasive plant management using herbicide treatments and manual methods;
Willingness to work long days and hike long distances in rugged terrain under variable weather conditions, including extreme heat and in raining conditions;
Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
Ability to identify native and non-native plants of California and the Pacific Northwest;
Undergraduate degree in botany, ecology, or a closely related field is preferred, ideally with;
Coursework in plant taxonomy and/or systematics, botany, or forestry;
Experience with data entry, and data management, and GIS software is preferred; and
Experience using hand-held GPS for navigation.

Preferred

Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;
Experience operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, particularly with unimproved roads;
Possess a commitment to personal and team member safety, and communicate perceived safety threats immediately;
Ability to work independently to accomplish goals;
Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public;
Possess good organizational skills;
Possess a favorably adjudicated background clearance;
Must be motivated, self-directed, organized, and detail oriented in order to balance multiple tasks simultaneously; and
Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record.

How To Apply

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority

This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.

EEO Statement

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.

The Great Basin Institute

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