Botany Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), is recruiting 1 Botany Technician to support botanical and ecological resource surveys within the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range of northeastern Nevada. The Botany Crew will survey rare plants to begin the season and will focus the majority of the season surveying whitebark pine. Recently, white pine blister rust was reportedly found in the Ruby Mountains for the first time. The crew’s survey work will contribute to the effort to determine if blister rust is in the area. These surveys also support NEPA analysis for proposed fuels reduction and forest health treatments associated with the Elko Front Project.

This position supports the Basin & Range Forestry program’s mission to improve ecosystem resilience and forest health in the face of increasing wildfire risk and changing climate conditions.

Botany Technicians will work as part of a field crew to collect high-quality vegetation data, assist with monitoring sensitive plant species and noxious weeds, and contribute to long-term forest health assessments, including whitebark pine monitoring. This role provides valuable hands-on experience in botanical fieldwork, data collection, and federal land management processes.

Botany Technicians will assist Crew Leads and USFS staff in conducting field surveys and collecting accurate ecological data. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting botanical surveys following Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plants (TESP) protocols
• Surveying whitebark pine and rare plants
• Identifying plant species using dichotomous keys
• Surveying and documenting sensitive plant populations and noxious weeds
• Collecting rare plant specimens as directed
• Assisting in establishing and monitoring long-term whitebark pine (WBP) plots
• Assessing whitebark pine health, including blister rust presence, using established protocols
• Recording field data on plant populations, habitat conditions, and environmental factors
• Performing data entry, management, and weekly data downloads with attention to quality control
• Navigating using GPS, maps, and compass in remote field settings
• Supporting report preparation and end-of-season data summaries
• Working collaboratively with crew members and maintaining effective communication
• Following all safety protocols and field procedures
• Possibly camping for extended periods in remote locations and working in rugged terrain

*Members are required to take a mandatory 30-minute lunch break each service day. This break does not count toward their service hours for the education award.

This position is based on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Mountain City Ruby Mountains Jarbidge Ranger District in Elko, NV.

The area includes alpine and subalpine ecosystems, sagebrush steppe, and forested landscapes, with elevations ranging from approximately 5,000 to over 11,000 feet.

This position is expected to run for 13 weeks beginning asap; preferred June 15, 2026 (dependent on hiring timeframe) and will end on September 10, 2026 (dependent on start date).

• Weeks will typically be Monday - Thursday, consisting of four 10-hour days or similar field-based schedules*
• May require field deployments (“hitches”) with dispersed camping in remote locations

This position is field-based with occasional office work for administrative duties and data entry.

Compensation and Benefits

Living Allowance:  $1,632.00 biweekly (before taxes); not to exceed $10,608.00;

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (450 hour term): $1,956.35 upon successful completion of term;

Benefits: 

• Shared housing provided
• $30 per diem for every night camped in the field
• Up to $200 work boot reimbursement
• Affordable Care Act Compliant Health insurance including vision and dental provided at no cost to the employee starting the first day of the month following employment start date.
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Access to Pro Deals;
• Eligibility for SNAP benefits, Loan Forbearance, and Loan Interest Accrual Repayment;

Segal Education Award:

After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Award varies based on term of service. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.

Student Loan Forbearance:

If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.

Interest Accrual Repayment:

As an AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:

AmeriCorps Volunteers are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Technical requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in botany, biology, ecology, forestry, or other natural resources degree preferred 
• Knowledge and interest in botany, plant identification, and/or forest ecology - prior experience with botanical or forestry survey techniques preferred
• Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key 
• Organizational skills; ability to self-direct and self-motivate; effective communicator
• Experience with data entry and management
• Ability to read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps
• Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads
• Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access)
• Ability to carry field gear or up to 40 pounds in a backpack while traveling over difficult terrain, and otherwise maintain good physical condition. Ability to hike 2-5 miles on average per day with some days requiring >10 mile hikes. 
• Tolerant of working in variable weather conditions, willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions

Additional requirements

• Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of GBI;
• Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record
• Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public
• Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles
• Experience in and willingness to spend up to seven consecutive nights camping with no amenities in remote locations
• Willingness to work long hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights)

AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

How to Apply 

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Note 

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer 

Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice