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Vegetation Ecology Technician

City Of Boulder

Boulder, US

Posted 22 Mar 2024

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Application Deadline:
April 2, 2024

Hiring Range:
22.20 - 27.10

This is a full-time hourly position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40

Benefit Eligibility Group:
Seasonal Type 2

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:
The Vegetation Ecology Technician is a seasonal (3 to 6 month) position that supports the Science and Climate Resilience team in field-based vegetation monitoring and scientific research aimed at understanding long-term changes in natural resources on Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) lands. The primary role of the Vegetation Ecology Technician is to conduct field work (75-90%), including quantitative vegetation monitoring and invasive species assessments, soil and biomass sampling, plant identification, data entry and QA/QC, and installation and maintenance of monitoring and research sites. Office tasks (~10-25% time) may include managing equipment and data, preparing maps, weighing biomass samples, mounting plant specimens, assisting with related research, analyses, reporting, and related duties as required. Additional responsibilities include collection and maintenance of native seeds and other plant materials for ecological restoration and occasional assistance with vegetation stewardship. This job demands sustained focus, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. The position provides opportunities to learn the local grassland and forest flora and to collaborate with researchers and resource managers in our outdoor laboratory.

The exact duties of the Vegetation Ecology Technician vary on a 3-year cycle:

Year 1 (e.g., 2023, 2026): Emphasis on systemwide grassland botanical monitoring, with additional support on climate change research, vegetation monitoring of long-term tallgrass sites and ecological restoration treatments, and support of OSMP's herbarium and native seed programs.

Years 2-3 (e.g., 2024, 2025): Emphasis on invasive species mapping/monitoring, with additional support on wildfire mitigation monitoring in the wildland-urban interface (e.g., monitoring fuels, vegetation, weather), climate change research, vegetation monitoring of long-term tallgrass and forest sites, assessments of soils/vegetation in ecological restoration projects and support of OSMP's herbarium and native seed programs.

Note, this position does not include health benefits nor housing, and the employee is expected to work full time, continuously from the beginning of the field season to the end of the field season.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

System-wide Grassland Monitoring (2023, 2026, 2029)

Prepare for monitoring by assembling field equipment, creating maps and monitoring documents, and relocating and marking historic monitoring sites.
Conduct quantitative monitoring of grassland vegetation composition following established protocols.
Use ArcGIS field apps and mobile data collection software to navigate to sites, meticulously record, review, and manage data and photographs, and assist with plant identification.

Invasive Species Mapping (2024-2025, 2027-2028)

Assist the Vegetation Stewardship manager with field mapping and quantitative assessments for assorted invasive species using ArcGIS field apps, mobile data collection software, and aerial photography.
Assist with data management, QA/QC and GIS map production of collected invasive species data.

Wildfire Mitigation Monitoring in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) (2024-2025, 2027-2028)

Work with the Wildland Fire Sr. Program manager to survey potential treatment sites for sensitive resources and baseline conditions and to document the initial status after fuels treatments (type, extent, location of treatments).
Assist the Wildland Fire Sr. Program manager to install study plots and monitor the vegetation, fuels, and environmental conditions of areas treated for fuel reduction in the wildland urban interface following established protocols.

Support Climate Change Research and Solutions (2024-2025, 2027-2028)

Monitor and sample vegetation, soils, and environmental effects of novel restoration treatments on degraded agricultural lands and on riparian/wetland restorations, with an emphasis on quantifying ecosystem services related to carbon cycling and water availability.
Help implement experimental studies related to drought and climate change in grasslands (Drought-Net) in collaboration with OSMP and Colorado University staff and students: construct and maintain Drought-Net rainout shelters, cattle fencing, and monitoring plots; apply experimental treatments through weed whipping, shelter removal, and watering of sites; conduct core field measurements of soil moisture, biomass, and plant composition.
Assist with the installation and maintenance of weather stations and microclimate sensors and related data management.
Collect soil samples to assess trends in soil conditions of forests, grasslands, wetlands, and prairie dog colonies, with an emphasis on carbon cycling and soil fertility.

Additional Monitoring and Vegetation Stewardship Tasks (all years)

Work collaboratively with other ecological services work groups as needed to:

Support OSMP's native seed program by scouting for collection sites, processing collected seed, inventorying seed, preparing seed mixes, co-leading seed collections and maintaining the seed storage facility.
Monitor forest understory vegetation and/or or tallgrass vegetation in long-term plots.
Conduct photographic, vegetation, and/or soil monitoring to inform management of rare plants and sensitive habitats, nonnative invasive species, and tilled/untilled grassland sites where prairie dogs will be removed or relocated.
Mount and label collected plants for OSMP's herbarium.
Assist in ecological restoration projects through collection and potting up of dormant woody plant materials, seeding, planting, fence repair and watering.
Control invasive weeds using weed whipping, cutting, or hand pulling.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in plant identification and/or vegetation monitoring or mapping equivalent to one full field season or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of ecological principles and data collection and analyses frameworks.
Ability to walk, hike, stand, bend and kneel in an outdoor environment for long periods of time under a variety of weather conditions and ability to carry up to 25 pounds while hiking on rough terrain while maintaining a positive attitude. Candidates must navigate working landscapes where livestock and barbed wire fencing are encountered.
Experience with computer software, preferably using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access).
Attention to Detail: Ability to perform work with high level of attention to detail and accuracy, to follow detailed field monitoring protocols and to meticulously organize and maintain data and equipment. Ability to maintain accurate records of progress status and concerns.
Driver's license and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.
Acceptable background information including criminal history is required.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and safely in the field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Field experience in plant identification in grassland, riparian, wetland and/or forest ecosystems of the U.S. and ability to identify plant species using a dichotomous key.
Knowledge of Colorado Front Range ecosystems and flora.
Skills in ArcGIS software, preferably with ArcGIS Online, ArcMap, and ArcGIS field apps.
Ability to read and interpret maps and aerial photos and to navigate using a compass and GPS.
Experience with data entry and data management, QA/QC, and basic statistical analyses skills.
Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Botany, Geography, Environmental Studies or related degree, or Bachelor's degree in another field and at least 2 years of specialized field experience conducting natural resource inventories, research or monitoring, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of and/or interest in climate change impacts on ecosystems, and/or experience working on climate change field experiments.
Experience or training supporting native seed programs.
Current Red Cross or equivalent certifications in CPR and First Aid.
Safety: Ability to learn and comply with department and program safety policies including using proper safety precautions and equipment in the field and acting accordingly to prevent and report accidents and injuries. Ability to judge weather conditions.
Communication: Practices active listening and is open to the ideas of colleagues and customers. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and evidence of ability to regularly track and communicate work progress and challenges. Expresses ideas effectively and organizes and delivers information appropriately.
Time Management: Uses time effectively and efficiently; concentrates efforts on the more important priorities, seeking supervisor input when needed; gets more done in less time than others; self-motivated with ability to work independently during unscheduled time periods from a list of ongoing projects.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Most likely Sr. Ecologist (Science Policy and Research), but could also be Wildland Fire Sr. Program Manager, or Sr. Policy Analyst (Climate Resilience).

Supervision Exercised: None; may lead contractors, volunteers, and interns.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to observe detailed plant characteristics up-close and to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written and electronic documents.
Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate hand-held electronic equipment in the field and computer equipment and other office equipment.
Flexibility to work early morning hours.
Work schedules are typically 8-10 hours per day Monday to Thursday with occasional work required on Fridays or weekends.
Potential exposure to dangerous wildlife (e.g., rattlesnakes, mountain lions, stinging insects), toxic plants or chemicals (e.g., pesticides), and dangerous weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, extreme wind, lightning).
Technician may be asked to use a personal vehicle for this work and if required to use personal vehicle, will be reimbursed for mileage.

Additional Job Description:

Last updated: 11/1/2023

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to [email protected].

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