Botanist/Ecologist

Colorado State University • Full-time • Fort Collins, Colorado, United States • 4h ago

Posting Details

Posting Detail Information

Working Title
Botanist/Ecologist

Position Location
Fort Collins, CO (or remote)

Work Location
Position is fully remote

Research Professional Position
Yes

Posting Number
202401994AP

Position Type
Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title
Research Associate II

Number of Vacancies

Work Hours/Week
40

Proposed Annual Salary Range
$52,268 - $75,245

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

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Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
11/29/2024

Description of Work Unit

The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is Colorado's primary biological conservation information center housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. CNHP is a key player in Colorado's conservation of open lands and maintains the only centralized conservation database in Colorado that includes plants, animals, and natural communities. The staff consists of approximately 30 highly experienced biologists and information managers with expertise in inventory, research, and monitoring of Colorado's flora, fauna, plant communities, and conservation issues. CNHP serves a wide variety of users including federal, state and local agencies, consultants, environmental groups, non-government organizations, private landowners, and the public. CNHP's annual revenue is approximately 4 million dollars and is generated from contracts and agreements through CNHP's partners and clients. CNHP generally works on over 40 conservation projects per year.

Position Summary

The Botanist/Ecologist will be a member of the Botany/Vegetation Ecology Team and will work closely with CNHP staff Botanists and Ecologists to plan, coordinate, conduct and report on inventories for Colorado's plant and upland plant community biodiversity. The work will involve indoor office work and outdoor field work conducted in Colorado and could include work in surrounding western states. The position requires extensive and frequent travel throughout the state of Colorado during the growing season.

Indoor tasks will include working with biodiversity and geospatial data including compiling and organizing botanical and vegetation data and information, creating maps, preparing presentations and/or training materials, writing reports, processing voucher plant specimens and seeds, identifying plants in the lab, and performing administrative tasks. The position will also lead pre-field season logistics and planning, which may include identifying element target lists, identifying survey sites, securing permission to access survey sites on public and private land, preparing maps, electronic survey forms, and organizing field supplies. The Botanist/Ecologist may assist with proposal writing, hiring field technicians, training technicians or student employees in data entry and field methodology, and supporting other project tasks as needed.

Outdoor field work will include collecting botanical and ecological data in the field in Colorado and potentially surrounding states. Field work may include mapping and taking data on the condition of rare plant populations and natural plant communities, describing natural communities and classifying vegetation using the USNVC standards, identifying plants in the field, collecting quantitative vegetation plot/transect data, surveying for and monitoring rare plant populations, collecting seeds and voucher plant specimens and photographs, and mapping weeds and/or applying weed control methods or eradicating weeds.

The Botanists/Ecologist may train technicians in methods of natural heritage core methodology, outdoor field data collection and safety. This work will require proficiency in using tablets to collect GPS data and electronic field data, using topographic maps and/or navigation apps to locate survey sites, driving to and from field sites and navigating to field sites via paved roads, dirt roads, hiking trails, and off-trail travel through dense vegetation and across long distances in a variety of weather conditions. This position requires extensive travel and long days in the field.

The position will interact with federal and state agencies and other partners as well as private landowners. This position may oversee student hourly technicians, work studies, interns, volunteers or others in the implementation of Botany/Vegetation Team projects.

Seasonal field work typically involves week-long to 8-day field hitches, camping in remote settings and full 8-12hr. field days, driving and hiking to field sites, collection of data using tablets, and detailed completion of field forms. Work is subject to funding availability and Program needs. Hours are variable, up to 40 hrs./wk.

This position is listed as being in Fort Collins, however, this position would consider partial remote work or a remote duty station in Western CO (closer to field work).

Required Job Qualifications
• Completed B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited university and three years of relevant professional experience OR a master's degree completed in the field of natural resources, ecology, botany or a related field.
• Strong experience using dichotomous botanical keys and field guides to identify plant species and familiarity with the major angiosperm plant families in the Rocky Mountain region.
• Experience describing vegetation patterns found on the landscape including recording and describing dominant and diagnostic species by strata.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Ability to work both independently and with a team of diverse individuals, ability to maintain effective working relationships, and be self-motivated.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills; ability to handle complex tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules, travel extensively during the field season, car camp, and hike long distances (up to 6+ miles/day) while carrying a heavy pack (up to 40 pounds) with a positive attitude in field conditions that include exposure to inclement weather, rugged terrain, hot or cold weather, mosquitos, and poisonous plants, all while maintaining a strong commitment to team safety.
• Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license by the employment start date.

Preferred Job Qualifications
• Direct and strong experience using NatureServe Core Methodology (Natural Heritage Methodology) in the field to conduct plant and upland natural plant community inventories and collect data on tracked plants and plant communities.
• Experience applying and familiarity with the U.S. National Vegetation Classification System to inform vegetation observations.
• Experience with quantitative vegetation sampling techniques, quantitative vegetation monitoring, vegetation surveys, and weed mapping and treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and carry out field surveys, including identifying specific targets and survey sites, securing site access, and coordinating with project stakeholders.
• Proficient with ESRI Field Maps, Survey123, and navigation apps to locate field sites and collect field data using tablets or other devices.
• Experience using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGis Online and developing Field Maps projects and Survey123 forms.
• Experience supervising field staff, field crews, technicians, or volunteers.
• Experience driving 4x4 vehicles on rough roads and camping in remote locations.

Diversity Statement

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties

Job Duty Category
Research

Duty/Responsibility
• Preparing for, planning, and conducting botanical and ecological field work as well as post-season processing of data and information. Tasks include working with biodiversity and geospatial data such as compiling and organizing data and information, entering scientific data into spreadsheets and/or databases including Biotics 5, using GIS to gather and organize data and information and creating maps, preparing presentations and/or training materials, and writing reports, as well as conducting pre-field logistics and planning, identifying potential survey sites, and determining natural plant community and species and habitat targets for areas across Colorado and surrounding states, preparing electronic data collection forms, requesting and securing permission/permits to access survey sites on public and private land, and communicating with team staff and project partners/sponsors.
• Field work itself consists of conducting outdoor field surveys over 6 to 8-day long periods that require camping overnight. This position will require the use navigation tools and maps to drive and/or walk to and from survey sites via paved and unpaved roads, hiking trails, and traversing across terrain off-trail. This position will effectively locate targeted natural plant communities, and rare species and their habitats within survey sites. Travel will often be through dense vegetation and over long distances in various temperatures and weather conditions. This position will collect and record botanical, ecological, and spatial data using Survey123, Field Maps, and/or field notebooks and identify western flora including common and rare species native to Colorado and surrounding states and recognize and identify exotic invasive species, recognize and document natural plant communities and rare plant habitats, and follow NatureServe-core methodology and project specific methods/protocols and ensure accurate and complete recording, preparation, and reporting field-collected data. This position will collect voucher herbarium specimens when appropriate and permitted and follow safety protocols using proper documentation, consistent communication, and field awareness.

Percentage Of Time
55

Job Duty Category
Supervision

Duty/Responsibility

Interview and hire hourly field technicians; act as a field crew lead; supervise seasonal botany field technicians, student employees, interns and/or volunteers.

Percentage Of Time
15

Job Duty Category
Project management

Duty/Responsibility

Make decisions on scope, prioritization, and safe execution on field work with no oversight. Assist with training and workflows for new projects. Assist with developing project vision, direction and determination of deadlines, deliverables and communication pieces.

Percentage Of Time
15

Job Duty Category
Administrative

Duty/Responsibility

Participate thoughtfully in unit management tasks expected of all CNHP employees, including participation in monthly staff meetings, involvement in the bi-annual CNHP Partners Meeting and other administrative duties as needed.

Percentage Of Time
5

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than November 29, 2024, for full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.

Upload each of the items below individually as a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please remove social security numbers and birth dates from application materials. A complete application consists of:

1. Statement of Qualifications (clearly address how your experiences meets or exceeds each qualification listed in the job announcement); the statement of qualifications can be uploaded to the 'Cover Letter' slot
2. Resume

References will be requested from finalists. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver's License

Search Contact
Jessica Smith (jp.smith@colostate.edu)

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University's Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.