Rare Care Research Aide II (Hourly/Temporary)

Req #: 192073
Department: School of Env. & Forest Sciences: Botanic Gardens
Appointing Department Web Address: https://bit.ly/3gPXyLc
Posting Date: 06/25/2021
Closing Info: Open Until Filled
Salary: $18.02 - $21.00/Hour
Shift: First Shift
The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation's premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity and justice for all. The UW Botanic Gardens' Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation (Rare Care) has a position available for a Temporary Rare Care Research Aide II starting in August 2021 and continuing through June 2022 for qualified individual with experience in conducting fieldwork for ecological studies and vegetation monitoring. This position will support several ongoing research projects in Washington State in a variety of ecosystems including shrub steppe in the Columbia Basin, coniferous forests of the east Cascade foothills, and alpine habitats of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains on lands managed by the U.S. Department of Energy, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service and on private land. The Research Aide will work in a crew of two to four people in rural and remote sites requiring up to eight miles of hiking a day and overnight camping and backpacking. The Research Aide will continuously learn the local flora and build botanical knowledge and should be passionate about the botanical world and other natural systems and have a willingness to share that passion and knowledge with other team members. Specific duties include: • Relocate permanent vegetation monitoring plots, and re-photograph photopoints • Install restoration plantings at field sites and set up and maintain drip irrigation systems for watering outplantings • Monitor vegetation (species cover and composition data, plant morphology measurements) • Install permanent plots and transects following established sampling protocols • Implement vegetation management strategies such hand removal of invasive species • Map populations with handheld GPS units • Identify plants to species using botanical keys • Assist with day-to-day field logistics • Complete field data sheets to document field work • Collect seeds for ex situ seed banking • Complete preliminary analysis of the data Duration and Schedule: Up to approximately 800 hours over a 10-month period, starting in August 2021. Work schedule is seasonal and candidates should expect limited hours during the winter months of November through February. Location: This position is located at the Center of Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens in Seattle and field sites are located near Wenatchee, Leavenworth, and Richland WA and in Olympic, Mt. Rainier and North Cascades National Parks. Overnight travel will be required. When working at field sites lodging/camping will be provided and travel (mileage, food) will be reimbursed. Compensation: Range is $18.02 to $21/hour, depending on qualifications Required Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in botany, biology, environmental science or a related field OR two years of college-level work in botany, biology, environmental science or a related field plus two years of experience equivalent to Research Aide I, OR four years of experience equivalent to Research Aide I. • Valid driver's license. • Current or ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid. Desired Qualifications: • Ability to work outdoors on uneven terrain, and work and travel in variable weather including extreme heat, heavy rains and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions). • Physically capable of standing and walking (up to 8 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds, in variable weather including extreme heat and heavy rains while maintaining a positive to neutral attitude. • Experience in standard vegetation sampling techniques, familiarity with basic field sampling equipment. • Experience growing Washington native plant species and setting up and maintaining irrigation systems. • Current WA pesticide applicator license. • Familiarity with the flora of Washington is desirable. • Able to work cooperatively with others. • Self-motivated and able to serve independently with limited supervision after the initial training period. • The applicant should be able to maneuver and operate in a mixture of office and fieldwork. Application Process: The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.