Upland Vegetation (Botany) Field Monitoring Technician

https://home.nps.gov/im/scpn/index.htm 

Job description: The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Division was established to track the condition of natural resources in parks and to provide park managers with information to help them make informed decisions. The Upland Vegetation crew monitors vegetation condition and soil stability to track changes in ecosystem integrity. Long-term vegetation monitoring can reveal how plant communities change over time in response to climate, disturbance, and management. These positions will take place within the Southern Colorado Plateau Network, consisting of 19 different park units in the Four Corners region. The Upland Vegetation crew generally visits 8-10 parks a season and conducts long term vegetation monitoring at permanent plots. SCPN expects to hire up to five positions. This is a National Park Service program but crew members are hired through Northern Arizona University.

The field season is expected to run from the beginning of May through the end of October. The schedule is generally 8 days on, 6 days off. This will be a 6 person crew based in Flagstaff, AZ but work will take place almost entirely in the field at the various park units throughout Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. Crew members can expect to camp in the parks for the duration of each hitch. Per diem and some camping gear is provided.

Job Duties: The field crew will conduct vegetation surveys, often in remote and rugged locations. Duties include collecting vegetation data using established protocols, plant identification, photographing plots, collecting soil data, navigating off trail to plot locations using a GPS, operating 4WD vehicles on unimproved roads, and working collaboratively in sometimes challenging weather conditions. Crew members will be expected to carry a backpack with their personal gear needed for each day, plus monitoring equipment. In addition to lots of hiking these positions require frequent and/or prolonged stooping, kneeling and crouching.

Qualifications: Applicants should have experience identifying plants in the field, and preferably familiarity with plants of the Colorado Plateau. Experience collecting scientific data accurately in the field required. Applicants should have careful attention to detail and the ability to enter data electronically using a tablet computer in the field. Must be willing and able to hike over rugged terrain (up to 10 miles a day) with a backpack, in sometimes inclement field conditions. Must have a positive attitude, strong work ethic and be able to productively work with others as well as independently, despite varying and difficult environmental conditions.

Applicants must be able to commit to the entire season. For first consideration, please apply by January 30, 2026.