Seasonal Botanical Technician

Position Summary

The Seasonal Botanical Technician works in the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) s role is located at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii, about 45 minutes from Hilo and Kona. The technician supports management of native and non‑native plant species and works primarily as part of a field crew, with occasional solo assignments. Field work constitutes about 90% of the role with roughly 10% office time.

The position is contingent on funding.

• Inventory/survey plant populations with a focus on threatened and endangered species using GPS mobile data devices, collecting data, and surveying transects.
• Control invasive plant species near threatened or endangered plants by applying mechanical and chemical control measures.
• Survey for, monitor, and control incipient and highly invasive target plant species in defined management areas.
• Evaluate and manage emergent threats to rare plants and outplants such as invertebrate pests and seed predators.
• Collect seed, prepare planting sites, out‑plant, and maintain out‑planting sites and plants.
• Enter, edit, and perform quality control on field data; maintain field gear, equipment, vehicles, and facilities.
• Participate in team meetings and provide feedback to supervisors regarding resource conditions and recommend follow‑up actions.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Pre‑employment criminal background check (required for new hires).
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain a driver’s license by employment start date.
• Occasional overnight camping at remote work sites up to 3 nights at a time.
• Compliance with all applicable regulations to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC); pass a NACI/SF85 and a federal background check.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; no visa sponsorship will be provided.

None.

• BS/BA in botany, natural resource management, environmental science, or closely related natural science, or two years of related work experience in these areas can substitute for the educational requirement.
• Experience with monitoring and/or managing plant species.
• Demonstrated experience working in remote field locations; able to walk up to 5 miles per day in rugged terrain carrying materials and supplies under all weather conditions.
• Working knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to repetitively lift 50 lbs.
• State of Hawaii Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification or ability to pass the exam and obtain certification within 3 months of employment; must maintain certification throughout employment.

• Experience monitoring plant species and/or vegetation communities in Hawaii.
• Plant identification experience, including use of dichotomous keys.
• Experience managing invasive weeds around threatened and endangered plants in Hawaii using chemical and mechanical control techniques.
• Experience operating and maintaining power equipment used in vegetation control, such as line trimmers, backpack sprayers, chainsaws, etc.
• Experience with native plant restoration, including seed collection, propagation, preparing planting sites, out‑planting, and maintenance of sites and plants.
• Experience using a handheld GPS unit and/or a mobile data collector device to navigate in the field.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team setting.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Past possession of a State of Hawaii Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification.
• Experience working on a military installation or prior military service.
• Experience driving 4‑wheel drive vehicles on unimproved roads.
• Ability to compile scientific information regarding plant species.
• Interpersonal communication and negotiation skills.

$25–$30 per hour.

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.