What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Field Botanist/Lead Field Botanist position at California Native Plant Society?
Description
CNPS is looking to hire five to six seasonal field botany positions. These include 3 - 4 Assistant Field Botanists and 2 - 3 Lead Field Botanists. These are all full‐time, non-exempt positions that will be supervised by either the Vegetation Field Data Specialist or Vegetation Ecologist. The positions include seven or ten months of work (dependent upon project\location hired for), beginning in March 2025. Some positions may be extended beyond a year depending on the success of efforts to secure additional funding. The positions will survey and map California’s diverse flora and vegetation assemblages, implement vegetation sampling methods to collect field data, identify plants to the species and subspecies / variety level, identify soil and hydrologic characteristics, voucher plant specimens, collect and process native plant seeds, and enter / manage field data.
Two to three positions will support statewide vegetation sampling efforts in the Klamath Mountains or in Southern California (10-month term positions) working with various partners.
Three to four positions will support Wetland and Riparian Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) data collection in association with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) throughout California (for 6-month or 7-month positions).
About the CNPS Vegetation Program
The CNPS Vegetation Program supports vegetation sampling, classification, mapping, and monitoring across California. Our statewide system has been developed over the past 30 years by CNPS and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and is used by both governmental and non-governmental institutions to map, categorize, describe, and rank rarity of vegetation. We also collaborate with a variety of other local, state and national entities on fine-scale mapping, long-term monitoring, and data analysis including with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring program. At the heart of our efforts is A Manual of California Vegetation ; originally a hard-copy reference, this resource is now available and regularly updated online.
What You'll Do
Fieldwork
- Collect both quantitative and qualitative plant species, plant community, habitat, and environmental data.
- Use sampling methodologies such as the BLM Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) and CNPS-CDFW Vegetation rapid assessment and relevé sampling methods, CNDDB field survey form for rare species , etc.
- Collect field data in remote areas with rigorous conditions including wild areas away from roads and facilities.
- Perform surveys in riparian & wetland and upland habitats in southern, central and / or northern California.
Office work
Additional requirements for the Lead Field Botanist position require an ability to assist in coordinating sampling missions, plan effective and safe routes to and from field sampling areas, and coordinating with landowners / managers. The Lead Field Botanist needs to provide mentorship to Assistant Field Botanists and / or volunteers to ensure safe working environments, collect data efficiently and accurately with plant / community identification, and ensure data integrity.
Focus areas for fieldwork in 2025 will occur in core areas of California; including the following : a) southern California Mountains and Valleys for one to two positions, b) Klamath – Siskiyou Mountains and North Coast of Mendocino for one position, c) Modoc Plateau, Mojave & Sonoran Deserts, Great Basin for three positions.
Work will often be scheduled in shifts of up to 10 hours per day during 4‐day or 8-day field sampling missions, with camping or sometimes staying at motels overnight required. Fieldwork will account for 60-75% of position duties.
The Lead Field Botanist will perform advanced functions by supporting and managing crew safety and well-being, coordinating field logistics and scheduling, managing the crew’s equipment, and completing administrative paperwork. Before, during, and after field data collection, the Lead Field Botanist will be responsible for the data collection, quality control, and organization of all data collected using iPad tablets / paper forms / digital file storage systems.
Physical Requirements
These jobs require the ability to participate in fieldwork including standing, hiking, driving, carrying gear (up to 1 / 3 of your body weight), and traveling off-trail in sites with variable grade. Administrative duties may also require prolonged sitting and use of a computer and mouse. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Additional Information
Who You Are
Field Skills :
Data & Office Skills :
Education
Nice To Have’s
What You'll Get
The Assistant Field Botanist is a full-time position with a starting hourly rate of $22.91 - $24.69.
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit conservation organization (www.cnps.org) founded in 1965, with 13,000 members in 36 chapters across California and Baja California Norte, Mexico. The mission of CNPS is to protect California’s native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy. Native plants are the foundation of California’s globally significant biodiversity. CNPS is meeting this critical moment for biodiversity and climate action by supporting and catalyzing statewide efforts to conserve public lands, save sensitive species and habitats, and create thriving native plant habitats in our urban spaces.
Equal Opportunity Policy
CNPS’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. This policy demonstrates CNPS's commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that values different perspectives and fosters belonging. To better understand the demographic profile of applicants, CNPS requests candidates to fill out the volunteer questionnaire that is part of the application form. Your responses will remain confidential, anonymized, and not shared with the hiring committee.
Salary : $32 - $1,000