Program: Research Associate Program
Contract Length: 6 Months

See full job details and application instructions at https://www.vscyberhosting.com/greatbasin/Careers.aspx?req=2021-RAP-038&Type=JOBDESCR&rf=CONSBOARD&source=

Job Description:

In cooperation with the National Park Service Yosemite National Park (YOSE), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting an Invasive Plant Early Detection and Rapid Response Crew Member who will work in the Invasive Plant Program at Yosemite National Park. The main duties of this position will be to survey for and treat invasive plants in recently burned areas in Yosemite National Park. The incumbent will work under the direction of a crew lead, and will be supervised by the Invasive Plant Program Manager within the Division of Resource Management and Science in the Branch of Vegetation and Ecological Restoration at Yosemite National Park.

Primary duties of the Crew Member include:

• Communicate orally and in writing with crew lead, supervisor, and other staff who may have different duty stations.
• Correctly identify and train others to identify plants to the species level by sight ID and using dichotomous keys and other tools. Position requires strong botany skills to be able to identify new and/or previously unknown populations of many invasive plant species on a landscape level.
• Determine rates, mix, keep records of, and apply chemical herbicides.
• Collect geographic and plant population data using Collector for ArcGIS on a GPS enabled mobile device.
• This position will work to prevent and mitigate damage to rare plants by: conducting surveys, mapping target species, flagging populations, and possibly working to salvage plants and collect seed.
• Work independently and on a team to accomplish field work.
• Work in the front and backcountry, along trails, roads, in developed areas, and off trail in wilderness areas.
• Work in rugged, physically arduous and demanding situations. Incumbent must be able to hike long distances on and off trail in burned areas, work in heat above 100°, carry a spray pack with 3-4 gallons over uneven terrain, and work in areas with exposure to rattlesnakes, poison oak, ticks and other environmental hazards.
• Work safely and ensure the safety of other crew members in hazardous situations such as in burned areas, off trail in unstable terrain, along roadsides, using hand tools, and mixing and applying chemical herbicides.
• Wear and use personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately.
• Follow all applicable federal, state, and park laws, regulations, and policies especially in regards to mixing and applying herbicide. This will be undertaken with training and guidance provided by the program manager holding a CA State Qualified Applicator’s Certificate.
• Maintain field equipment in proper working order. Communicate the need for and/or order supplies as needed.
• Incumbent may occasionally travel away from duty location and camp in campground or stay in bunkhouse and occasionally backpack for up to one week at a time. Incumbent should come prepared with personal camping and backpacking gear, though some group camping gear such as stove, fuel, water filters, etc. are provided. Car camping trips will be few and may occur on or off park.
• Backpack with personal gear and additional work gear up to 15 miles per day while accomplishing field work.
• This position may work less than 20% of the time on additional projects within the Branch of Vegetation and Ecological Restoration including pollinator habitat restoration, native plant seed collection and revegetation, ecological restoration, rare plant monitoring and protection, and other work as assigned.

Contract Timeline:

• 6 month appointment, starting June-July 2021 (after successful completion of DOI Background Investigation) to November 18th, 2021.

Location:

Yosemite National Park is world renowned for its giant granite walls, waterfalls, sequoias, beautiful meadows and snowcapped mountains. The park encompasses nearly 750,000 acres of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and is 94% designated wilderness. The elevation ranges from just under 2,000’ to just over 13,000’, and many ecosystems can be found within, including foothill chaparral, oak woodland, mixed conifer forest, subalpine meadows, and alpine fell fields. The park hosts over 1,500 plant taxa and many animals, including special status, threatened, and endangered species. Yosemite is one of the most sought after climbing and hiking destinations in the world. Many additional recreational opportunities abound including botanizing, birding, fishing, swimming, and skiing.

Duty Station(s): El Portal and Wawona are both small, relatively isolated communities in Yosemite National Park with limited services. El Portal is located on the west side of the park along Highway 140. It is home to many park and park partner employees, and the main administrative and maintenance complex for the park. It has a gas station, small market, and nearby hotel and restaurant, but no other services. Mariposa, about 50 minutes away, has additional services including grocery and hardware stores, a hospital, and restaurants. Wawona is located on the south end of the park on Highway 41. It is near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, is home to park employees and several park operations, as well as private inholdings with vacation rentals. It has a historic hotel, small market, and gas station. Additional services can be found in Oakhurst, about 40 minutes away.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Rate of Pay: $18.64/hour. This position is equivalent to a GS 06 Biological Science Technician.
• Benefits: Fully paid health insurance premium (medical, dental, vision, prescription), paid federal holidays, paid personal and sick leave, enrollment in employer-matched retirement plan
• Park housing option in El Portal/Wawona for reasonable cost

Job Qualifications:

• Must have a valid driver’s license and be proficient operating large work trucks.
• Bachelor’s or higher degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field.
• Experience identifying plants to the species level using dichotomous keys.
• Experience mixing and applying chemical herbicides. State Qualified Applicator’s License or Certificate desirable but not required.
• Experience following standard operating procedures to collect data.
• Experience working with GIS desirable but not required.
• Experience working effectively on a team.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Commitment to a safety culture.