Biologist (Plant)

Sundance Consulting, Inc. (www.sundance-inc.net) is a Native-Owned/Woman-Owned, award-winning environmental and natural/cultural resources Small Business. Our success has been rewarded by a deep backlog of work and we look forward to continuing to accomplish our goals. We value your innovative thinking, technical expertise, business skills, and your ability to engage with our clients and our project teams. If you are a high-achiever with a client-focus and a passion for quality, innovative solutions, and environmental stewardship, you will be a perfect match with us.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes paid holidays, paid time off, medical, dental, & vision insurance, disability/life/ADD insurance, and a 401(k) with a generous matching program.

Summary of Position

The primary responsibility of the Plant Biologist would be to lead field crews in monitoring vegetation, particularly rare and sensitive plant and noxious weeds. The Plant Biologist may be engaged in all aspects of environmental related projects including, but not limited to, biological surveys, biological assessments, wetland delineations, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation and resource analysis. The position would be responsible for data collection, field surveys, agency coordination, and technical report preparation.

Work will be performed independently as well as with a team of natural resource specialists and scientists.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serves as expert/lead botanist for rare and sensitive plant monitoring.
• Helps with designing and implementing rare and sensitive plant inventory and monitoring projects.
• Responsible for field logistics including planning field hitches, facilitating daily tailgate safety meetings, and managing crews.
• Utilizes field tablets and GPS devices to navigate to remote field locations and capture field data using programs such as Arc Field Maps and Survey 123.
• Performs QA/QC on data collected in the field each day.
• Provides regular project updates to Project Manager.
• Compiles data and summarizes results in project summary reports.
• Applies scientific expertise to interpret and present results of field and desktop studies.
• Interacts professionally with current and prospective client to foster business relationships.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Botany, Plant Science, Plant Ecology Natural Resources or similarly related field.
• A minimum of four years of experience, with at least two field seasons of surveying or monitoring vegetation and at least one year in leading a field crew.
• Familiarity with federal/state environmental regulations, especially those related to wetlands, waters, and wildlife.
• Familiarity with flora of the western U.S. and Rocky Mountain Region including sensitive and noxious weed species.
• Ability to use taxonomic keys to identify intermountain plant species.
• Familiar with ArcGIS and other electronic field data collection programs.
• Ability to utilize maps and GPS to navigate to remote field locations.
• Experience using 4x4 wheel drive pickup trucks and driving over rugged terrain.
• Ability to walk up to ten miles a day over rugged/uneven terrain.
• Experience leading field crews in conducting vegetation monitoring.
• Experience working in remote field locations.
• Ability to camp for multiple days in a row in the field.
• Safety-focused.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately analyze information, make sound decisions and meet deadlines.
• Technical writing skills.
• Exceptional communication and client relationship skills.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to successfully manage concurrent projects and demonstrate flexibility with shifting priorities and timelines.
• Positive, can-do approach to assignments and tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading rare and sensitive species surveys.
• Master's degree in Botany or related field.

Working Conditions

The Plant Biologist will be required to work mostly in remote field settings with some office work. Office work can be performed remotely. Camping may be required for some portions of fieldwork. Field crews will generally work in 8-day hitches with 6 days off in between.

Physical Requirements

• As a federal contractor that is subject to Executive Order 14042, Sundance requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to accommodations for bona fide medical and religious exemptions.
• Ability to satisfactorily pass pre-employment and post-employment drug/alcohol tests and background check.
• Ability to travel and work in field locations, sometimes remote potentially challenging terrain.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.

Sundance is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with

disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.