Western Region Botanist/Ecologist - L&W65042653/65042654/65042655 - HYBRID

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is seeking field Botanists/Ecologists to assess hurricane damage to species populations and monitor natural areas in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. The role involves conducting surveys, documenting rare species, and providing data for habitat restoration and management actions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys of natural areas, Special Interest Areas (SIAs), and additional areas identified as of interest within and adjacent to the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests including: inventories of the occurrences of the state’s high quality natural communities and rare plants, monitor locations with hurricane damage, map natural communities, rare plant occurrences, and non-native invasive species (NNIS), make recommendations for management actions, and prepare detailed reports and GIS maps
• Coordinate and consult with US Forest Service (USFS) staff and partners to identify priority sites, ecosystem types, and species for assessment
• Contribute to the development of the Program’s data management system and to the dissemination of spatial data for USFS use; incorporate detailed observations and maps of botanical, and/or natural community data into the Program’s “Biotics” data management system in a timely manner
• Identify and facilitate protection of high-priority natural areas and recommend protection strategies and management practices for natural heritage areas and Special Interest Areas: advise and help implement restoration activities that aid in the recovery of SIAs and/or listed species, assist with assessments, and prepare biological resource reports for compliance
• Interpret scientific data provided to USFS partner agencies, researchers, private conservation organizations and individuals and assist as needed in developing descriptions of proposed actions when making management recommendations

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution
• An equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must be available to work the schedule of Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm with flexibility in schedule possible to meet the 40/hr. requirement
• Must be able to conduct field investigations that may require exposure to inclement weather, insects, hot and cold temperatures, and long hours traversing over rough terrain (often without a trail) with or without reasonable accommodation
• Must have a valid driver's license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment
• Demonstrated knowledge of identification and habitat requirements of North Carolina rare botanical species and demonstrated field experience identifying native plants in their natural habitats
• Experience using the NC Natural Heritage Program Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina to identify, classify, and map natural communities in the field
• Professional experience using ArcGIS software to create and edit maps
• Experience conducting biological field surveys in Western NC (preferred) or Southeastern United States and biological expertise gained through field experience over and beyond formal education

Benefits

• State Benefits

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