Botany Technician - Klamath National Forest

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Klamath National Forest, is

recruiting two (2) Botany Technicians to participate in plant-related projects.

Botany Technicians will conduct rare plant surveys and monitor known occurrences of target species for

various landscape management projects. Surveys will be conducted using both quantitative and intuitive

controlled methods and will focus on habitat condition and the presence and abundance of target rare

plants. Botanical keys will be used to identify rare plants. Data will be collected using a variety of

methods including paper field forms and GIS programs on tablets (using apps such as Avenza,

Survey123, and Field Maps). Technicians are responsible for data quality assurance and quality control,

ensuring all data is entered into the appropriate databases of record, and for compiling and

summarizing data for reports.

Botany Technicians will also assist with implementing the USFS Noxious Weed Management Program by

treating existing infestations, mapping infestation ranges, and conducting Early Detection Rapid

Response (EDRR) surveys. Treatments will include the use of manual and mechanical control measures

including hand pulling, clipping, tarping, and the use of gas-powered weed eaters. Herbicides will not be

used. Technicians will have data management responsibilities similar to those described for rare plant

work. Additionally, the Botany Technicians may be responsible for directing large crews assisting with

invasive plant treatments such as California Conservation Corps and Youth Conservation Corps.

Botany Technicians will be stationed in Happy Camp, California and will serve under the direction of the

District Botanist. Field work will occur in remote locations, where cellular connections are unavailable or

inconsistent. Field conditions may include 105 degree F summer weather, thunderstorms, abundant

poison oak, insect bites, and wildlife encounters. Candidates should have good physical fitness, the

ability to operate vehicles safely on rough, narrow roads, including the use of 4WD, and the ability and

willingness to hike steep slopes and endure hot temperatures throughout the summer.

Contract Timeline:

o Beginning in mid-May through October/November 2024

o Full time, 40 hours/week

Location:

The Klamath National Forest covers an area of 1,700,000 acres located mainly in Siskiyou County, CA. It

ranges in elevation from 450 to 8,900 feet above sea level and is considered one of the most biologically

diverse regions in the United States. Over 3,000 species of plants have been documented here, a very

high number for an area this size. The Forest has a famously high diversity of conifers, with 19 species of

conifer documented in one square mile. The tremendous local diversity has been attributed to variable

climate and geology, the intersection of the Coast Range, the Cascades, and Sierra Nevada Mountains,

and the area serving as an unglaciated refuge during the last ice age.

Forest encompasses five wilderness areas including: Marble Mountain, Russian, Trinity Alps, Red

Buttes and Siskiyou wilderness areas. Trailheads are numerous and hikes range from easy to arduous.

There are 200 miles of river system for rafting and 152 miles of wild and scenic rivers on the Forest. The

Forest has 28 campgrounds, and world-class hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. With the Klamath,

Salmon, and Scott Rivers meandering from one end of the Forest to the other, recreationists have found

a playground that offers virtually everything (except crowds) to the outdoor enthusiast.

Please note Happy Camp, CA, is an exceptionally remote and small community, offering a serene setting far from crowded urban centers. With its minimal population and location in the vast Klamath National Forest, it's perfect for seasonal jobs seeking solitude and a deep connection with nature. Ideal for individuals who cherish outdoor adventures and a quiet, close-knit community life.