Soil Scientist/Botanist

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management Battle Mountain Field Office, is recruiting an experienced botanist and/or soil ecologist to work cooperatively as part of a multi-disciplinary Proper Function Condition (PFC) monitoring team. The overall objective of the PFC team is to complete lentic and lotic riparian functioning condition assessments, water inventories, and upland watershed monitoring. Information collected will be used to maintain, restore, and/or improve Great Basin riparian and upland resource values to achieve a healthy and productive ecological condition.

Duties: 
General duties include providing written documentation of data, conclusions, and recommendations to maintain and/or improve watershed and vegetative conditions; coordination with the public, interest groups, state and county agencies, and other federal land management offices to share information and knowledge necessary to effectively maintain and/or improve public land watersheds.

The botanist will have knowledge of plant and plant community identification, including expertise on riparian-wetland-aquatic, and range plant taxonomy and ecology. Primary responsibility for identification of individual plants, describing existing and potential plant communities using soil survey information, interpreting vegetation, successional sequences, and working with the soil scientist on the landscape, soil, and climate factors.

The soil scientist will have knowledge in identification of riparian-wetlands-upland soils, fluvial geology, and soils mapping. Primary responsibility is to identify soils, design map units using available soil surveys, determine soils grouped into the site, identify landscape and soil factors, determine existing or potential erosional factors, assist with climate factors, and ensure compatibility with other ecological site components and soil interpretations.

Contract length: April 2, 2012 – September 30, 2012, potential for extension pending funding and positive performance review

Rate of Pay: $15.00/hour

Benefits: Medical/Dental benefits, travel per diem, paid personal leave, training opportunities

Location: Battle Mountain, NV. The Battle Mountain District Office is responsible for managing approximately 10.5 million acres; the Mount Lewis Field Office is responsible for approximately half of the total acreage. The District’s lands are typical of basin-and-range topography and Great Basin Desert habitat.

Qualifications:
* Applicants should have a combination of educational and field experience related to the position;
* an understanding of basic principles related to the fields of botany, soil science, and/or hydrology;
* knowledge of Great Basin ecology, including representative flora, fauna, and community types;
* ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units;
* ability to use a compass and read a topographical map;
* experience working with ArcGIS, desirable;
* possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license;
* ability to operate a 4WD vehicle on- and off-road;
* Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; and
* be physically fit to work outdoors, carry personal and field equipment, and withstand the rigors of the Great Basin in the summer, fall and/or early winter.