Hcsu Botany​/Restoration Tech

HCSU BOTANY/RESTORATION TECHNICIAN – # 226236.

CLOSING DATE:
April
29,2026, or until filled.

Regular, Full‑Time, RCUH Non‑Civil Service position with the Hawai`i Cooperative Studies Unit (HCSU) at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UHH) in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (USGSPIERC). Work location is in the USGSPIERC office in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawai‘i. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws.

MONTHLY SALARY RANGE:$3,752–$3,986/Mon.

• Assists with restoration field experiments aimed at furthering manager–researcher connections and development of climate‑smart restoration testing the efficacy of seed sourcing as a strategy to increase drought resiliency of native Hawaiian forest species.
• Works with the Crew Lead to implement ecological experiments and sampling protocols and ensures that SOPs and safety requirements are adhered to in the field, at the office, and in the lab.
• Supports Crew Lead in plant propagation, out planting and experimental setup including construction of drought shelters and deploying environmental sensor arrays, and monitoring of out‑plants and coordinating plant trait characterization.
• Drives to project sites as necessary.
• Collects soils and plant material in the field, obtains and maintains plant survey data, and ensures proper data collection protocols are followed in the field.
• Utilizes ArcGIS (Geographic Information System) to create maps, transfer data between handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) and databases.
• Gathers and organizes ecological data.
• Assists with data management and database archiving.
• Supports Crew Lead in producing regular progress reports on fieldwork.

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Ecology, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Wildlife Science, or other biological field.

Six (6) months to one (1) year of field experience, including technical work conducting biological field research related to forest ecology and restoration. Prior experience setting up and carrying out terrestrial field experiments and data management.

Knowledge of general methods involving gathering and recording field data for research and management projects, including use of computers to download data under field conditions. Knowledge of techniques of vegetation ecology and field botany including vegetation cover assessments using quadrats and transects with point‑intercept methods. Thorough familiarity with the operation of personal computers and spreadsheet, database, and graphics programs.

Ability to work on a project team and assist Crew Lead with coordinating field logistics for working at remote field sites, including training team members. Ability to safely operate, maintain, and service biological recording and measurement instruments, and work with high attention to detail for completion and verification of data collection procedures. Ability to safely operate power tools including table saws, skill saws, band saws, impact drivers, drill, etc.

and hand tools such as machetes, shovel, hammer, sledgehammer, etc. Ability to work with ArcGIS and data management software (e.g., Excel, R). Ability to write field/lab protocols to assist with project reports and publications. Must possess a valid driver’s license (and if use of personal vehicle on the job is required, must also have valid personal driver’s insurance equivalent to Hawai‘i’s No‑Fault Driver’s Insurance) and maintain throughout the duration of employment.

Must be able to drive a 4‑wheel drive vehicle.

Applicants selected must be a US Citizen, and must be able to meet security requirements for working in a Federal facility, which includes being fingerprinted and having a Federal background check performed within one (1) month from date of hire. Must be able to complete the UH Information Security Awareness Training (ISAT) within two (2) weeks from date of hire, and…