Plant Ecologist / Botanist
We have an immediate opening in our Los Gatos office for a full-time plant ecologist. This person will conduct field studies, including plant community mapping, rare plant surveys, and wetland assessments and delineations, and will prepare a variety of reports/technical studies, including biological resource reports, and natural resource management plans. Plant ecologists also act as a regulatory permit technician, and spend a substantial amount of time preparing resource agency permit applications packages for permitting under the Clean Water Act, State Porter Cologne Water Quality Control Act, State Fish and Game Code, and McAteer-Petris Act.
Required qualifications:
Academic background in with emphasis in botany and plant ecology
Experience in some or most of the following areas: plant identification, quantitative field surveys, plant community/association mapping, wetland delineation, environmental impact analysis, permit preparation, Trimble GeoXT/XH, and general GIS, Google Earth, and/or ArcMap
Demonstrable technical writing ability
Good organizational and data handling skills
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Willingness to travel throughout California and beyond
Interest in and willingness to learn about and build familiarity with environmental law and regulations
Willingness to learn how to read engineering drawings and learn common construction practices so that a project’s effects on sensitive species and habitats can be accurately determined
Candidates with an M.S. or a Ph.D. are preferred, but applicants having a B.S. or B.A. combined with directly relevant experience will be considered.
Additional qualifications:
Valid driver’s license with no major traffic violations or multiple minor violations
Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights, weekends)
Ability and willingness to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, walking over varied terrain, bending, lifting, and carrying upwards of 50 pounds, and otherwise maintain good physical condition
Willingness to work at other times in a sedentary office environment preparing reports and permit application packages.
Familiarity with best practices for field safety and low impact principles
Prior experience in the following areas a plus:
California flora
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Regulatory agency permitting
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan
40-hour wetland delineation course or equivalent experience
Range management
About H. T. Harvey & Associates:
H. T. Harvey & Associates is an ecological consulting firm based near San Jose, California, with six offices in California and Hawaii. Our core areas of expertise are restoration ecology, landscape architecture, plant ecology, wildlife ecology, fish and aquatic ecology, and ecological research. Our work is on projects that involve wildlife habitat; threatened and endangered plant, animal, and fish species; habitat restoration and native landscape design; habitat conservation plans; renewable energy facilities; and more. We cultivate excellence in our staff and our work in pursuit of our mission to create ecologically sound solutions to our clients’ complex natural resource challenges.
Our employment package includes a competitive salary, medical, dental, and life insurance, as well as a 401K with generous employer match. H. T. Harvey & Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities, disabled and Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should respond by submitting a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and references through this link: https://bit.ly/2VVqhjZ