Biological Field Technician and Lead Biological Field Technician - northern CA and NV

NatureServe is a 501(C)3 organization that supports biodiversity conservation at the local, national and international levels through our network of member programs and other institutional alliances. NatureServe is recruiting seasonal biological field technicians to collect data in support of vegetation community sampling in dry sagebrush and woodland habitats in northeastern California and northwestern Nevada. The project involves field data collection of terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) information on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the Redding, Applegate and Eagle Lake districts in northern California and adjacent Nevada, with supplemental data collection in support of ongoing fire rehabilitation monitoring.

NatureServe is seeking to fill up to four full-time, seasonal field biological technicians and up to four lead field biological technicians to conduct field sampling. The field season is expected to occur from late March to early August. The work will include following established vegetation and soil sampling methods on new or existing ecological monitoring sites, including plot and line-based sampling, identification of plants to the species level, digging soil pits, and analyzing soils. Knowledge of native plants, the flora of northeastern California and northwestern Nevada, ecological field monitoring methods, field sampling and project management needed. Availability for participation in a BLM Terrestrial AIM training near Susanville, CA the first week of April is strongly preferred.

Lead Technician position includes responsibility for supporting crew safety in the field, coordinating sampling logistics and scheduling, and organization and quality control of paper and electronic field data.

Must be able to work 10-hour days for 8 days at a time (followed by 6 days off), while working and camping in remote locations.

Required qualifications:
· Two years of coursework in ecology, natural resources, range management, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
· Field experience collecting scientific data
· Ability to identify plants in the field to the species level and experience using dichotomous keys

Physical Requirements
· Ability to hike up to 5 miles / day while carrying a heavy pack (up to 40 lbs.)
· Ability to assist in digging soil pits and in analyzing soils and erosion data
· Consistent standing or walking, bending, crouching or stooping
· Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules while car camping
· Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus such as: analyzing data and figures; reading; identifying plants.
· A valid driver’s license

Required for lead technician:
· A completed bachelor’s degree with two years of coursework in ecology, natural resources, range management, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
· Experience coordinating logistics of data collection and safety planning for field crews
· Field experience sampling vegetation data
· Experience navigating with topographic maps and compass, aerial photography, and GPS to remote field locations

Desired qualifications:
· Willingness to work in challenging conditions including hot and cold weather, rugged terrain, and outdoor hazards while maintaining a commitment to team safety
· Careful attention to detail and strong organizational skills to complete lengthy field forms and electronic data entry
· Previous experience with the BLM AIM methodology
· Wilderness First Aid or other field safety training preferred for all positions
· Experience driving 4x4 vehicles and UTVs on rough roads