Salary: $51,888.00 – $69,756.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources
Job Number: 2023-2-A230-02980
Closing: 3/29/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Join the Washington Natural Heritage Program as a Botanist and you will have the opportunity to play a vital role in conserving Washington’s rare plants. Your work will contribute to the programmatic mission of cataloging the plants, animals, and ecosystems of Washington and prioritizing their conservation needs. The Natural Heritage Program serves as the state’s principle source of information on rare species, habitats and landscapes of conservation concern. This position is critical to the effectiveness of the Washington Natural Heritage Program achieving its programmatic goals. In addition to this position, our team includes a Program Manager, Lead Botanist, Lead Ecologist, Vegetation Ecologist, Database Manager & GIS Analyst, and Data Specialist. The Botanist reports directly to the Lead Botanist.

The Botanist conducts research, inventory, and monitoring of rare plants and will coordinate with the Lead Botanist to promote the use of this information in land management and land-use decision-making. The Botanist will assist the Lead Botanist in leading rare plant conservation efforts for the Natural Heritage Program and the Department of Natural Resources, including identifying high priority rare plant species and making management and conservation recommendations to protect them.

Your work will take you across Washington State into varied landscapes, including rough terrain without trails, and in a variety of weather conditions, from cold and wet to hot and dry. From April through September, you will typically spend a significant amount of time in the field, including overnight trips ranging from one to four nights. During the rest of the year, field work and/or travel are much less frequent while time spent on data management, data analysis, and report / proposal writing increases.

In this position you will use your excellent verbal and written skills to communicate, advise, collaborate, and network with our conservation partners within DNR, other state agencies, federal agencies, land trusts, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders interested in the conservation of Washington’s biodiversity.

The Botanist participates in, and collaborates with, the network of natural heritage programs (NatureServe), both nationally and internationally. Additional duties may include outreach efforts to other agencies and organizations regarding plant conservation issues and topics, including making land management recommendations. This individual will participate in a variety of collaborative conservation planning efforts.

The position includes a mix of office and fieldwork as well as travel to attend meetings, workshops, conferences, etc. The duty station is in Olympia, WA. DNR offices are in the Natural Resources Building (NRB) on the state capital campus, walking distance from downtown and the southern terminus of Puget Sound. The office environment is one of cubicles for each individual employee; some cubicles have windows while others are located in the interior of the building. While working in the office, a majority of the employee’s time will be spent at a personal computer and/or meeting with other staff members. Work schedule is Monday through Friday. Partial teleworking (hybrid) is possible for this position. The position is overtime-exempt and the incumbent is expected to maintain core business hours (9 am to 3 pm) during a typical 40-hour work week. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be necessary.

Extensive travel during the field season to conduct field inventories, surveys and monitoring throughout the state is required. Fieldwork is generally, although not exclusively, during the period from April through mid-September and may involve periods of 5 consecutive days away from Olympia. The fieldwork for this position can be anywhere in the state, often requiring several hours of travel from Olympia to get to the area where the fieldwork is to be performed.  Fieldwork often consists of walking cross-country through rugged terrain in variable weather conditions, including cold and wet to hot and dry.  Fieldwork is often performed alone.  The employee will have access to a two-way radio and/or cell phone and is expected to adhere to the safety protocols regarding communicating her/his whereabouts established by the Division and Region within which the employee is working. Occasional out-of-state travel may also be required.

Olympia is well-positioned for outdoor enthusiasts, sitting at the southern terminus of Puget Sound, equidistant from the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, and with easy access to the Pacific Coast.

Duties
Responsibilities:
In coordination and under direction from the Lead Botanist, the Botanist’s primary responsibilities are to: 

  • Identify, plan and organize plant species research, inventory and monitoring projects. 
  • Conduct field inventory, monitoring, and research to acquire data on population size and structure, population ecology, habitat characteristics, threats, and spatial extent of priority rare plant species occurrences for entry into the Natural Heritage database. 
  • Compile data from secondary sources (including knowledgeable amateur and professional botanists, agency scientists and land managers, and published literature) for inclusion into the program’s database.  
  • Establish conservation priorities for rare vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, fungi, and algae in Washington. In so doing, develops and maintains collaborative working relationships with taxonomic experts, and other scientific organizations and governmental agencies.
  • Coordinate statewide efforts with national and international projects, including efforts by NatureServe to develop data standards for plant species.  
  • Analyzes existing and new information on native plant species to verify and update conservation status information. 
  • Represent the DNR and the Natural Heritage Program in conservation planning efforts undertaken by state and federal agencies and private conservation organizations, providing scientific expertise regarding ecology and conservation needs of rare plant species.  
  • Provide information and expertise to DNR staff and others regarding priority rare plant species.  
  • Recommend sites, based on high priority rare plant species, for conservation action, including additions to the statewide system of natural areas, land trust acquisitions, inclusion within conservation planning portfolios, and other conservation designations or management as appropriate.  
  • Give presentations on conservation of rare plant species, and on the Natural Heritage Program to groups and organizations as needed;
  • Train/educate personnel (both within and outside the DNR) in Natural Heritage methodology and inventory of rare plant species.
  • Develop grant proposals to fund high priority projects.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree with major study in a related natural resources field AND three years of professional botanical or related vegetation work experience.
    OR Master’s degree in a related natural resources field AND one year of professional botanical or related vegetation work experience.
    OR Ph.D. degree in botany or related natural resources field.
  • Experience identifying plant species using technical dichotomous keys;
  • Familiarity with field inventory and monitoring techniques, including mapping tools and techniques, appropriate for rare plant species.
  • Ability to effectively communicate scientific information via writing and public speaking to other scientists, land managers, policy makers, and others.
  • Ability to work with a variety of partners and cooperators on conservation-related issues.
  • DNR Core Competencies: 
    • Personal Accountability 
    • Value Others 
    • Compassionate Communication 
    • Inspire Others 
    • Commitment to Excellence

Working Conditions:

  • The position includes a mix of office and fieldwork as well as travel to attend meetings, workshops, conferences, etc. The fieldwork requires a physical ability to work alone in undeveloped, remote, forested, or backcountry landscapes and terrains. Fieldwork often consists of walking cross-country through rugged terrain in variable weather conditions, including cold and wet to hot and dry. The office environment is one of cubicles for each individual employee; some cubicles have windows while others are located in the interior of the building. This position in located on the 4th floor of a 6-story building. While working in the office, a majority of the employee’s time will be spent at a personal computer and/or meeting with other staff members.
  • Extensive travel during the field season (generally from March through September) to conduct field inventories, surveys and monitoring throughout the state. Occasional out-of-state travel may also be required. Because the position involves working on projects that are often funded by external parties, there will likely be occasions when evening and/or weekend work will be necessary. Fieldwork is generally, although not exclusively, during the period from mid-March through mid-September and may involve periods of up to 5 consecutive days away from Olympia. The fieldwork for this position can be anywhere in the state, often requiring several hours of travel from Olympia to get to the area where the fieldwork is to be performed. Fieldwork is often performed alone. The employee will have access to a two-way radio and/or cell phone and is expected to adhere to the safety protocols regarding communicating his/her whereabouts established by the Division and Region within which the employee is working.
  • A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
  • Employees of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are required to complete their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (be fully vaccinated against COVID-19) or be approved for a medical or religious accommodation as a condition of employment. Please note, any offer of employment is contingent and no start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation. “Fully vaccinated” means the following: An employee is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen) authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA or listed for emergency use, or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization.

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Working knowledge of the Pacific Northwest flora, including an understanding of relevant conservation issues and principles for rare species.
  • Experience in rare plant species inventory and monitoring techniques.
  • Ability to provide leadership on projects.
  • Ability to work and communicate successfully with individuals of varying levels of scientific understanding and technical skills.
  • Ability to use appropriate statistical and other analytical software tools to analyze botanical and ecological data.
  • Familiarity with field inventory methods, assessing ecosystem characteristics, and vegetation/ecological monitoring techniques.
  • Knowledge of plant community and ecosystem classification principles.
  • Experience using existing vegetation/ecosystem classification schemes.

Application Requirements:

  • To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov. You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position. 
  • Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements. 
  • Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
  • Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
  • Attach a copy of your college degree certificate or an unofficial copy of your transcripts.
  • Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).  
  • Complete all supplemental questions. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3936586/natural-resource-scientist-2-natural-heritage-program-botanist

Supplemental Information
At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.
Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Our Core Values:

  • Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
  • Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
  • Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
  • Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.  We thank you and are grateful for your service!

The Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.  Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
 
Questions?  Please contact Joe Rocchio at joe.rocchio@dnr.wa.gov, 360-464-7233 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3936586/natural-resource-scientist-2-natural-heritage-program-botanist

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