Selected applicants will evaluate, monitor, and treat noxious weeds, collect native seed, salvage native plants, and assist in the revegetation of disturbed areas using native plant species. The work will also include the mapping, and monitoring of new populations of weeds, mapping of treated areas, restoration of treated areas, and building data sets for the park’s Pesticide Use Proposal System annual report.

The results of this work will include estimates of noxious weeds status and ecological thresholds and management assessment points. The results are intended to help park staff, scientists and the public understand the dynamics of vegetation, and how noxious plants spread throughout the park.

Duties

1. Work singly or with a crew to identify and safely treat areas of weed infestations.
2. Use GPS to locate infestation and treatment areas, safely and efficiently access remote sites, and complete field forms
3. Enter and effectively manage electronic data (databases, spreadsheets, GPS, GIS).
4. Thoroughly document all fieldwork using field notebooks, survey forms, maps, GPS, and digital tablets and cameras
5. Identify and collect seed from areas of native vegetation for purposes of reseeding treatment areas.
6. Prepare and manage areas for reseeding of native species after treatment,
7. Other vegetation management activities (such as brush clearing), as needed.

A bachelor’s degree (or significant progress toward degree) in ecosystem sustainability, natural resources, range management, forestry, or related field. Equivalent field experience may be substituted for degree.

1. Knowledge of natural resources management
2. Sufficient knowledge of native vegetation and weeds to reliably identify common weed species and desirable native plants of the project area
3. Desire to work outdoors in various weather conditions during the summer field season
4. Good physical condition and ability to work long hours in the field, travel by foot off-trail in rough terrain, and work through inclement weather
5. Careful attention to detail in collecting data
6. Comfort and familiarity with the use computers and GPS
7. Experience with weed identification, weed management, or pesticide application
8. A valid state driver’s license at the start of the project is required.

Additional Desired Qualifications

1. Pesticide applicator’s license
2. Familiarity with flora of the Colorado Rocky Mountain montane zone
3. Experience collecting vegetation and environmental data in the field