Botany Assistant

City of Eugene, Parks and Open Space West Eugene Wetlands Program

2 Positions Available 

Pay rate: $18.00 – $19.50/hour, DOE

Schedule: Full-time

Work period: Approximately 17-19 weeks of work from mid-May through mid-October 2024, with 3 weeks off in August, depending on work needs.

Job Number: 312401

Posted:  March 1, 2024

Closing Date: Open until filled. Application review begins March 18, 2024.

Position Description

DUTIES:

The Botany Assistants will work in the West Eugene Wetlands on vegetation monitoring and seed collection and processing. Most of the work will be in the field on a two-person team within 10 miles of the City of Eugene:

Vegetation Monitoring: Assistants will quantitatively monitor wetland prairie plant communities using point-intercept methods, enter data, identify plants within monitoring plots and restoration sites, map locations of non-native and rare species, and other duties, such as plot maintenance and occasional invasive vegetation removal, as assigned.

Seed Collection and Processing: Assistants will collect and clean seeds of local Willamette Valley native plants from public and remote sites within 10 miles of Eugene, document seed collection activities, mix seed for use in restoration projects, map plant populations using GPS technology, enter records into a database, and similar duties, as assigned.

Learn more about our park system and the wetland mitigation program.

Qualifications & Skills:

Successful candidates for the Botany Assistant position will have:

• ability to rapidly identify Willamette Valley native prairie plants in the field, with prior college coursework in plant identification preferred.
• good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate in a professional manner with the public and other employees.
• ability to hike several miles daily over uneven terrain,
• good attention to detail and ability to keep clear, well-organized records,
• good physical condition, with ability to lift 50 lb bags of seed, install corner posts of monitoring plots, and conduct daily activities that involve repeated bending and crouching, such as during seed collection and monitoring, in inclement weather and in rural prairie settings.

NOTE: Botany Assistants typically work 40 hours per week, M – F. Botany Assistants must be age 18 or older and hold a valid driver’s license.

To be hired, you must pass a driving records check and maintain a driving record that meets City standards. These jobs require passing a physical exam which includes a drug screen.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job will be considered. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferrable skills from a variety of sources and experiences. We will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

How to Apply: 

Please submit a cover letter and resume, addressing the supplemental questions, below, online at: https://www.quantumrecruiters.net.

For more information about the application process, contact:

Quantum Recruiters, Inc. 270 Oakway Center

Eugene, Oregon 97401

Phone: 541-683-1757; toll-free. 1-800-309-6891;

Supplemental Questions to be submitted as part of application:

1. Describe your education and experience with plant identification, including the flora of western Oregon and Willamette Valley prairies.
2. Describe your experience and/or education related to plant monitoring and seed
3. Please indicate the dates by which you could begin work in May and whether you would be available to work through October 20, 2024.

First round of applicant review starts March 18 at 8 AM, so submit your application materials by then for first consideration; however applications will be accepted until both positions are filled.

Wetland Field Assistant

City of Eugene, Parks and Open Space, Wetland Mitigation Bank

2 positions available

Pay rate: $18.00 – $19.50/hour, DOE

Schedule: Full-time

Work period: Early to mid-May through August, with potential for extended dates depending on work needs. If you are interested, but have limited availability, please indicate your availability in your cover letter.

Job Number: 312402

Posted:  March 1, 2024

Closing Date: Open until filled. Application review begins March 18, 2024.

Position Description

DUTIES

Wetland Field Assistants will work in Eugene’s mitigation bank program to control invasive and non-native vegetation to facilitate the establishment or maintenance of diverse Willamette Valley wetland prairie plant communities. Field Assistants will primarily work as a pair to identify and map occurrences of undesirable plant species, remove them by hand or with handheld tools or lightweight powered equipment, and record control actions. Additional duties similar in nature may be assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain by date of hire; must pass driving records check and maintain a driving record that meets the City’s standards.
• Available to work a regular schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday-
• Ability to read and interpret maps and navigate using mobile
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with other employees, contractors, and the public.
• Knowledge of and adherence to safety principles relevant to outdoor physical work, including ability to identify typical hazards and respond accordingly with training provided by the City of
• Ability to perform strenuous physical work outdoors in varying weather conditions and conduct duties in inclement weather, sometimes in uncomfortable conditions.
• Ability to work in a bent-over/kneeling/sitting position for long periods of time and walk/hike up to a few miles over uneven terrain lacking trails or roads.
• Ability to work independently, follow oral and written instructions, and keep detailed
• Must be at least 18 years old, pass pre-employment screening at Quantum Recruiters, including physical and drug screening.

SKILLS DESIRED

• Familiarity with Willamette Valley prairie habitats and basic concepts of invasive species
• Identification of common native and non-native species or demonstrated aptitude for plant
• Ability to survey and assess vegetation conditions and collect field data to map invasive species with a mobile device on sites up to 300 acres in size.
• Experience with best practices of invasive species removal, and ability to use manual or power tools for the removal of invasive species.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job will be considered. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferrable skills from a variety of sources and experiences. We will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Learn more about Eugene’s park system: www.eugene-or.gov/parks

LOCATION

Wetland Field Assistants will report to Parks and Open Space offices at 1820 Roosevelt Blvd. in Eugene, OR and will use a city vehicle to travel from the office facility to project sites.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume that describe your qualifications at: https://www.quantumrecruiters.net.

For more information about the application process, contact:

Quantum Recruiters, Inc. 270 Oakway Center

Eugene, Oregon 97401

Phone: 541-683-1757; toll-free. 1-800-309-6891.