Seed Collection Crew Lead; NPS, Roswell, 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 (e.g., systematics):
Seed Collection

City:
Roswell, New Mexico, United States

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service, is recruiting one Seed Collection Crew Lead to conduct seed collecting and ecological restoration activities throughout Southern New Mexico on Department of Interior lands.

• Starting July 27th, 2026; 14 weeks
• Full time (40 hours per week)

Roswell, NM.

• Compensation: $24 per hour with overtime at 1.5 times hourly rate
• Company‑paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• $25,000 basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost
• Access to pro deals such as Outdoor Prolink and Black Diamond
• Camping per diem: $35 per day when applicable

• SOS Seeds Collection and Protocol Training
• Defensive Driver’s Training (eligible for discounts on personal vehicle insurance)
• Report writing and technical skills trainings
• Opportunity to network with GBI and federal partners for career advancement
• Housing provided at USFWS Bitter Lake wildlife refuge

• Driving GBI trucks on highways and 4WD roads, often for more than 100 miles per day
• Hiking off designated trails up to 5 miles per day, most days 0–1 mile
• Regular stooping, standing, and maneuvering on uneven terrain for many hours
• Weather conditions from cold winds and precipitation in early spring to temperatures over 100°F in summer
• Use of GPS units, computers, tablets, digital cameras, and on- and off-road vehicles is essential
• Camping under primitive conditions in remote locations for a week at a time
• Typical schedules determined by plant phenology
• Lift up to 70 pounds of material or equipment
• Bend, lift, pull, and push; crouch, stoop, kneel, stand, or bend for long periods
• Drive for many hours on highways and 4WD roads
• Handle plant material for many hours each day
• Walk and stand for long periods on uneven surfaces carrying equipment
• Work outside in extreme heat or cold depending on season
• Occasionally work 10+ hour days
• Travel and camp overnight up to 8 days at a time for project work
• Spend days at a time working at a computer during data entry and analysis

• Technical:
• Bachelor’s degree and/or relevant coursework and field experience in biology, botany, ecology, plant science, taxonomy/systematics, or related field
• Experience identifying plants using taxonomic keys or familiarity with plants of the Columbia Plateau 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 ATVs 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, 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 while collecting seed, use hand tools, and occasionally lift heavy loads
• Ability to work a non‑standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 AM, to avoid heat‑related issues, follow plant phenology, or coordinate 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 populations, disturbance areas, and other features using tablets, handheld devices, ArcGIS Online, and ESRI apps such as Field Maps and Survey 123
• Monitoring phenology of plant populations…