RARE CARE FIELD TECHNICIAN (HOURLY/TEMPORARY)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation (Rare Care) has a position available for a qualified individual to assist with fieldwork for ecological studies and vegetation monitoring as a Temporary Rare Care Field Technician.
This position will support several ongoing research projects in Washington State in a variety of ecosystems including shrub steppe in the Columbia Basin and coniferous forests of the east Cascade foothills. The Field Technician will work in a crew of two to four people in rural areas requiring up to eight miles of hiking a day. The Technician will learn the local flora, build botanical knowledge and gain familiarity with collecting ecological data. Strong applicants will be passionate about the botanical world and other natural systems and demonstrate a willingness to share that passion and knowledge with other team members.

Specific duties include:

• Monitor vegetation (species cover and composition data, plant morphology measurements) and estimate plant and canopy cover
• Map populations with handheld GPS units
• Identify plants to species using botanical dichotomous keys
• Assist with day-to-day field logistics and maintain field equipment
• Collect seeds for ex situ seed banking
• Assist with field data collection, data entry, and QA/QC

Duration and Schedule: Approximately 10-20 hours per week between April 15 and June 30, depending on availability. Approximately 30-40 hours a week from June 1 through August 31, 2023. The field schedule is typically 10 hours a day, four days a week.

Location: This position is located at the Center of Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens in Seattle and field sites are located near Wenatchee, Leavenworth, and Ritzville. Overnight travel will be required. When working at field sites lodging/camping will be provided and travel (mileage, food) will be reimbursed. Lodging is not provided in Seattle.

Compensation: Range is $18.79 - $19.24 per hour, depending on qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Two years college credits with major study in engineering or science, OR two years of work experience equivalent to that performed by a research aide.

Position Qualifications:

• Undergraduate coursework in botany, biology, environmental science or a related field.
• Ability to work and travel outdoors in variable weather including extreme heat, heavy rains and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions) while maintaining a positive to neutral attitude.
• Capable of standing and walking (up to 8 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time.
• Lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 30 pounds.
• Current or ability to obtain CPR and First Aid training.
• Self-motivated and able to serve independently with limited supervision after the initial training period.
• Able to work cooperatively with others and strong communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in botany, biology, environmental science or a related field.
• Experience with standard vegetation sampling techniques and familiarity with basic field sampling equipment.
• Experience with working and traveling in remote areas.
• Familiarity with the flora and ecosystems of Washington State and use of dichotomous keys.
• The applicant should be able to maneuver and operate in a mixture of office and fieldwork.
• Valid driver’s license.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.