Forestry & Botany Technicians, Crew Leads

Hiring Organization: Ecological Restoration Institute
Employment type: Seasonal
Job Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Application Due Date: March 31, 2023

Three types of positions are available

1) Forestry technicians should understand ecological field data collection methods and have experience measuring forest attributes such as tree height and diameter, tree regeneration, shrub abundance, and surface fuel loading.

2) Botany technicians will have experience measuring understory species cover and richness and be expected to know or quickly learn the flora of southwestern forests to maximize data collection quality and efficiency.

3) Crew/trip leaders will have experience in forest ecology and field data collection and may
be asked to work with limited direct supervision, lead field crews and trips, and ensure the efficient and safe collection of high-quality data. All technicians will use diameter tapes, logger’s tapes, hypsometers, digital cameras, GPS units, sampling frames and hand-held computers.

Description

ERI crews are based in Flagstaff but work in a variety of forests in Arizona and the Four Corners area.

Crews work 40 hours-per-week for the duration of the field season, which begins in early May and lasts through mid-August or later. Work consists of 10-hour days, and field trips may consist of 8 consecutive days away from Flagstaff.

Eight-day trips will require crews to camp and may require working in backcountry settings under potentially adverse weather conditions. Food for group-organized meals on out-of-town camping trips is provided.

Candidates should have a valid driver’s license and be able to frequently travel away from Flagstaff (up to 20 days per month including some weekends) for assignments. Research technicians should be able to carry up to 15 lbs of field equipment in addition to personal gear.

Desired Qualifications

Prior experience with forest tree and stand measurements, plant community measurements, and field plant identification (e.g., dichotomous keys), preferably in western forests. Experience with ecological restoration principles. Experience with field computers and electronic data collection. GPS and field navigational skills. CPR, wilderness first aid or wilderness first responder training. Operation of 4WD vehicles. Preference will be given to candidates who have completed a plant identification or taxonomy class or that demonstrate strong plant identification skills.

Compensation

Forestry Technicians: $16.80-18/hr, DOE
Botany Technicians: $16.80-20/hr, DOE
Crew/Trip Leaders: $18-20/hr, DOE

Start Date: May 15, 2023
End Date: Mid-August 2023 or later