Crew Leader and interns needed for on-the-ground conservation and native seed collection in the Verde Valley, working with Friends of the Verde River in Cottonwood, AZ, from May through August.
Please contact Kate at agavemariadesign@gmail.com with any questions or to apply.
Job descriptions for Botany Field Crew interns are available at the Conservation Legacy website.
Job description for Crew Leader below.
Position Announcement
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Title: Botany Field Crewleader (Native Seed Collection)
Start/End Date: May 1-August 31
Salary: $15/hour plus mileage and per diem reimbursement
Location or Site: Cottonwood, Arizona
Summary:
Friends of Verde River Greenway (FVRG), a regional non-profit working with a diverse
stakeholder community to restore, preserve, and promote the cultural, scenic and recreational resources of the Verde River and its tributaries. Our programs promote professional and personal growth, experiential learning, and an ethic of natural resource stewardship while incorporating the guiding principles of community, dedication, challenge, integrity and fun! We operate conservation service programs across the region that empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment.
FVRG will be hiring a Botany Field Crew Leader to help supervise 2 Arizona Conservation Corps botany field technicians this summer. The goal is to expand the existing native seed collection program of the Verde Native Seed Cooperative (the Co-op) through fieldwork and related activities associated with native seed collection. The Co-op is working to identify and produce regionally appropriate native plant materials for public lands and riparian restoration, common garden research, and pollinator conservation. The Crew Leader will work closely with the Co-op coordinator to locate and document native plant collection sites and lead a team to collect seed from native plants for production and restoration efforts in Northern Arizona.
Essential Responsibilities and Functions:
The work will occur locally in the Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto Forests, and on Bureau of Land Management sites in the area. Elements of this position will be searching SEINET for locations of 10-15 priority species, scouting sites and collecting native seed; some time will be spent processing collected seed and performing data entry. Overnight trips are expected.
This position will be from May –August 31, with potential to supervise volunteer seed collectors from September-October. The work week will be four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday, with Mondays off. The crew will meet at the FVRG office and travel to
the field work site together.
Timeline:
May-June 2017: Training, seed crew scouts, collect voucher specimens, early season seed collection and data entry, help plant seed accessions for production.
July – August 2017: Seed crew continues to scout, collect, clean, and enter seed records. Tour greenhouse operation and native seed production farm.
Physical Requirements:
• To successfully perform essential functions the Internship Position is required to sit,
stand, walk, speak, hear, etc.. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for
significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 45 pounds on a routine basis.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.
• Work is performed outside in a variety of weather conditions, including very hot summer temperatures.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Degree in botany, environmental science or forestry. Experience with botany fieldwork and some field supervison. Plant identification skills and experience using technical keys and SEINET. GIS not required but would be desired.
• Wilderness First Aid/Responder certification
• Must provide own transportation (reimbursement for mileage).
• Interest in conservation biology, restoration ecology, and/or botany.
• Ability to work long hours in adverse weather conditions while maintaining attention to the task and to personal safety.
• Ability to work in a bent-over, kneeling, or standing position
• Clear, direct communication skills and good interpersonal skills. Experience problem
solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept and address
differences.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Familiarity with Arizona flora
• Experience leading a field crew
• Strong attention to organization and detail
• Excellent navigational skills
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume and two references to Kate Watters:
agavemariadesign@gmail.com. Position open until filled.