Seed Collection Crew Member; NPS, Roswell, Mexico

Seed Collection Crew Member (NPS, Roswell, New Mexico)

Great Basin Institute - Roswell, New Mexico, United States

Position Type: Temporary Position

Final date to receive applications: Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Department / Division: Research Associate Program

Field: Seed Collection

City: Roswell, New Mexico, United States

General Information: The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), are recruiting two (2) Seed Collection Crew Members to conduct seed collecting and ecological restoration activities throughout Southern New Mexico on Department of Interior (DOI) lands.

• Starting July 27th, 2026; 13 weeks.
• Full time (40 hours/week).

Roswell, NM offers a unique blend of small-town friendliness, rich history, and stunning desert landscapes. Residents enjoy access to outdoor recreation, a growing arts and culture scene, and a lower cost of living than many larger cities. The community is also known worldwide for its connection to UFO lore, giving the city a distinctive character and year-round attractions that draw visitors from around the globe.

Compensation: $21/hr with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate.

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance.
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost.
• Access to Pro Deals such as Outdoor Prolink and Black Diamond.

Camping Per Diem: $35/day (when applicable).

Additional Benefits:

• SOS Seeds Collection and Protocol Training.
• Defensive Driver's Training (eligible for discounts on your personal vehicle insurance).
• Report writing.
• Technical skills trainings.
• Opportunity to network with GBI and federal partners for career advancement.

Housing: Provided at USFWS Bitter Lake wildlife refuge.

Field work involves driving GBI trucks on both highways and 4WD roads, often for 100+ miles per day as well as hiking off designated trails or routes, across rugged terrain, up to 5 miles per day, but more typically 0-1 mile per day. Seed collection requires regular stooping, standing and maneuvering on uneven terrain for many hours a day. Weather conditions will vary from cold winds and precipitation in the early spring to temperatures over 100F in the summer.

The use of global positioning systems (handheld GPS units), computers, tablets, digital cameras, and on- and off-road vehicles are an essential part of the job. Camping under primitive conditions in remote locations for a week at a time will regularly be required. Schedules are often determined by plant phenology.

• Lift up to 50-70 pounds of material or equipment.
• Bend, lift, pull, and push.
• Crouch, stoop, kneel, stand, or bend for long periods of time.
• Drive for many hours a day on highways and 4WD roads.
• Handle plant material for many hours a day.
• Walk and stand for long periods of time on uneven surfaces carrying equipment.
• Be outside in extreme heat or cold (depending upon the season).
• Occasionally work 10+ hour days.
• Travel and camp overnight & up to 8 days at a time for project work.
• Incumbents must also be willing to spend days at a time working at a computer during periods of data entry and analysis.

Technical Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or coursework and field experience related to biology, botany, ecology, plant science, taxonomy/systematics, or related field.
• Experience identifying plants using taxonomic keys or familiarity with plants of the region.
• Experience with data entry.
• Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for data collection and navigation.
• Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass.
• Familiarity driving 4WD vehicles on- and off-road.
• Experience operating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) on difficult terrain, helpful for certain locations.
• Understanding and/or experience using ArcGIS Pro, and ESRI apps like Field Maps and Survey 123, helpful.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing desert conditions, including extreme temperatures, and as part of a team.
• Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days, up to 8 days.
• Ability to bend and stoop for long periods of time while collecting seed, and to use hand tools, and occasionally lift buckets of water and other heavy loads.
• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 am, to avoid heat-related issues, to follow plant phenology, or for coordination with team members.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work as part of a tight knit team.
• Ability to work independently or in pairs with little supervision, strong initiative, and high attention to detail.
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Scouting and identifying populations of target native plant species suitable for collection.
• Mapping of populations of plants, disturbance areas, and other features using tablets, handheld devices,…