Botanist/Plant Ecologist (EMNRD #10116992)

State of New Mexico • Full-time • Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States • $54.76k - $87.62k / year • 3w ago

$26.33 - $42.12 Hourly

$54,760 - $87,616 Annually

This position is a Pay Band 70

Posting Details

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

The New Mexico Forestry Division retains lead responsibility for wildland fire management on all non-federal, non-tribal, and non-municipal lands, maintaining fire suppression capacities and emphasizing public and firefighters' safety. The Forestry Division promotes healthy, sustainable forests and watersheds in New Mexico for the benefit of current and future generations. The Division also has statutory responsibility for maintaining the state endangered plant species list, promoting conservation of state endangered plant species and conducting research, inventory, monitoring, and educational activities related to rare plants and their protection.

Why does the job exist?

The position conducts botany related fieldwork, such as survey and monitoring, to determine long term status and trends, statewide rarity, understanding current distribution, habitat, biology and vulnerability of New Mexico's rare and endangered plant species, including inventories to document the presence/absence of endangered plants at the direction of the State Botanist. The position also assists with coordinating work directly related to federal grants and partnership agreements; implementing conservation actions outlined in the New Mexico Rare Plant Conservation Strategy; implementing the NM Rare Plant Act and Rare Plant Conservation Strategy Actions; and providing assistance in reviewing permit requests resulting from the revision of the State Endangered Rare Plant Rule 19.21.2.7 NMAC, which authorizes incidental take of rare plants.

How does it get done?

Assist the Forestry Division's State Botanist with projects, research and fieldwork. Review and prepare comments on proposed actions on public land for conservation purposes and [assist with coordination, education and outreach]. Technical assistance and supporting Forestry Division Programs.

Who are the customers?

Federal and state agencies, local units of government, tribes, private or nonprofit organizations, and public citizens.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience in the following:

Experience with and passion for conducting field work and collecting thorough, accurate data
(including plant specimens for identification and documentation) and other field observations
on data forms, field notes, and/or electronic data systems.
Familiarity with collecting and managing detailed data using GPS, field data collections devices,
and mapping software such as ArcGIS preferred.
Familiarity with southwest flora (New Mexico flora preferred) and/or adept at identifying plants
using dichotomous keys.
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and foster positive relationships with resource
management professionals, partner organizations, and members of the public.
Willingness to be in the field for multiple weeks at a time (not including weekends). Significant
travel is to be anticipated throughout the field season requiring overnight stays and occasional
camping.
Ability to travel to a field location, hike, and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in
inclement weather and/or rugged terrain; ability to carry equipment and supplies up to 40 pounds.
Work effectively as a member of a team towards common goals, as well as independently on
specific tasks.
Ability to read maps and navigate in remote terrain and off-trail.
Enthusiasm for coordination and facilitation of public meetings, councils, commissions, and
technical workshops.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's Degree and three (3) years program administration or project management in areas related to the purpose of the position. Substitutions apply. See Substitution Table below.

Substitution Table

These combinations of education and experience qualify you for the position:
Education Experience 1 High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 7 years of experience 2 Associate's degree AND 5 years of experience 3 Bachelor's degree AND 3 years of experience 4 Master's degree AND 1 year of experience 5 PhD degree AND 0 years of experience
• Education and years of experience must be related to the purpose of the position.

• If Minimum Qualification requires a specific number of "semester hours" in a field (e.g. 6 semester hours in Accounting), applicants MUST have those semester hours in order to meet the minimum qualifications. No substitutions apply for semester hours.

Employment Requirements

Must maintain and possess a current New Mexico Driver¿s License

Working Conditions

Work is usually performed in an office setting, with extensive exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT), personal computer, tablet, printer, calculator, cellphone, copy machine, scanner, keyboard, and telephone usage. Occasional travel, working extra hours, working on weekends and holidays.

There will be a fair amount of sitting/standing at a desk while in an office setting during winter months. During the field season (approximately April - October), there will be a significant amount of hiking (sometimes in remote, rugged locations), carrying equipment and backpacks over long distances and difficult terrain, camping in remote locations, and standing or crouching for extended periods while collecting data on rare plants. Weather during field activities may be extremely hot, exposed, windy, dusty and occasionally rainy and/or cold.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Erika Rowe (505) 699-6371. Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.