Lead Biological Field Technician

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 Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) information on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the Applegate and Eagle Lake districts in northeastern California and adjacent Nevada, with supplemental data collection in support of ongoing fuels and fire monitoring.

NatureServe is seeking to fill up to two full-time, seasonal crew lead field biological technician to conduct field sampling. The field season is expected to occur from late April to mid-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 AIM training near Susanville, CA in late April is strongly preferred.

Lead Technician positions would start up to 2 weeks in advance of the field season to assist with planning field logistics and safety. Lead Technician position includes responsibility for supporting crew safety in the field, and coordinating sampling logistics and scheduling, including 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:

-A completed BS/BA degree with two years of coursework in ecology, natural resources, range management, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
-Field experience collecting scientific data and experience with vegetation data sampling
-Experience coordinating logistics of data collection and safety planning for field crews
-Experience navigating with topographic maps and compass, aerial photography and GPS to remote field locations
-Ability to identify plants in the field to the species level and experience using dichotomous keys
-Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules (typically 10 hours a day for 8 days) while car camping
-Ability to hike up to 5 miles / day while carrying a heavy pack (up to 40 lbs), and ability to assist in digging soil pits and in analyzing soils and erosion data
-A valid driver’s license


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
-Experience driving 4x4 vehicles on rough roads