MSU Listserv

From: ECOLOG-L <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> on behalf of Diane Menuz <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Reply-To: Diane Menuz <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Date: Monday, January 9, 2017 at 8:11 PM
To: ECOLOG-L <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Full time (limited term) Wetland Assistant/Botanist position in Salt Lake City
Resent-From: Jim Schneider <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Resent-Date: Monday, January 9, 2017 at 8:23 PM

Position Description:
The Utah Geological Survey seeks to hire a Wetlands Assistant / Botanist to
plan and execute field research, lead wetland plant identification, and
assist with data analysis and report writing. The incumbent will spend
March through May preparing for field work, June through September in the
field, and October through February identifying plant samples in the office
and assisting with data analysis and report writing. Tasks in the spring
will likely include helping develop a statistically valid study design,
planning field logistics, and assisting with hiring summer interns. During
the field season, the incumbent will oversee field logistics and
participate in field work. Field work will take place in both front country
and remote settings and typically require four 10+ hour days/week, but
other schedules may sometimes be required, including some overnight field
stays. The incumbent will lead all plant identification at field sites and
will work with a team member to evaluate hydrologic, physical, and other
components of wetland health. Tasks in the fall and winter will likely
include data QA/QC, identifying dried plant specimen, data analysis, and
report writing.
The incumbent will work on a variety of wetland-related projects, but the
main project will be focused on refinement of a wetland assessment
protocol. The protocol will be tested with multiple groups of observers and
at different times of the year to determine method robustness. The protocol
may be refined throughout the field season depending on preliminary results
and to ensure that it is simple enough to be used by a broad variety of
stakeholders.
The position is initially being offered for a 12-month term, but may be
extended depending on funding. Applicants that are excited to come up with
new project ideas and pursue funding with the assistance of the State
Wetlands Coordinator are particularly encouraged to apply.

Duties:
1. Prepare for field surveys by assisting with study design and preparing
sampling plan.
2. Serve as field project manager throughout the field season by planning
logistics, taking responsibility for data accuracy and completeness, and
serving as crew leader for seasonal technician.
3. Aid in the collection of wetland condition data. Evaluate sites for the
presence of stressors. Use landscape and local site data to evaluate
hydrologic, physical, and biotic components of wetland health following set
protocols with attention to detail.
4. Reliably identify plants (both in field and with a microscope) and plant
communities within Utah wetlands. Collect and prepare unknown plant
specimens for later identification and storage.
5. Assist with one or more of the following: data quality assurance/quality
control; landscape analysis in ArcGIS; technical writing; data analysis.
6. Other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications:
1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree in botany, ecology, biology, wetland
science, or other related field.
2. Strong plant identification skills, including ability to use dichotomous
keys to identify difficult taxa such as Cyperaceae and Poaceae and three or
more seasons of field experience in positions requiring identification of
plants; one season can be substituted by plant taxonomy coursework.
3. Ability to work independently and take a leadership role. Must have some
previous leadership or project management experience.
4. At least basic knowledge of statistical design and analysis relevant to
aquatic resources or vegetation data.
5. Experience with field work and willingness and ability to work long
hours and unusual schedules and to tolerate extreme heat, rain, biting
insects, and other field nuisances.

Preferred Qualifications (successful applicants will likely have one or
more of the following):
1. Master’s degree in relevant subject.
2. Familiarity with map making or more complex analysis in ArcGIS.
3. Experience with plant identification in relevant systems (e.g., wetland
plants, western plants).
4. Training in watershed science, wetlands, or riparian systems.
5. Strong technical writing skills.
6. Experience with data management, particularly in Microsoft Access.
7. Data analysis experience in the statistical program R.

To apply, submit resume, cover letter, three references (with phone
numbers), and a writing sample to Diane Menuz, State Wetland Coordinator,
at the Utah Geological Survey, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. Please indicate your
available start date. You may direct all questions to this email.
Applications be reviewed starting January 23, but will be accepted until
the position is filled.