Wetland Botanist, Vegetation Ecologist, or Soil Scientist

~ Four Peaks Environmental Science & Data Solutions, LLC (Four Peaks) is a growing environmental science and engineering firm serving public and private entities nationwide. We help clients solve challenges in the aquatic environment requiring expertise in aquatic research, water resource management, data science, and regulatory compliance. ~

Our work environment is fast-paced and dynamic with opportunities for career growth. Our mission is to provide data-driven, cost-effective solutions, while providing the highest level of customer service to our clients. People are who we are and collaboration, trust, and personal and professional growth are core values that the Four Peaks team shares.

The Opportunity

Four Peaks has an opening for a Wetland Botanist to support their growing wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat practices. The position will be field-based in 2021 with trainings to occur in Wenatchee or North Bonneville (near Portland), Washington.

The wetland botanist will support environmental data collection and analyses around wetlands, floodplain physical habitat, hydrologic monitoring, and fish and aquatic ecology, and environmental compliance tasks on projects throughout the Pacific Northwest and U.S. This role will support vegetation data collection for the National Wetland Condition Assessment for Oregon, Idaho, and northern California (2021). The wetland botanist will work within a four-person crew to identify plants to the species level using dichotomous keys.

We expect to fill this vacancy initially as a project scientist who operates under the direction of project managers and principal scientists, but exhibits a high degree of independence and self-direction while working in a team. We will prioritize candidates with sound field skills, experience identifying plants in diverse wetland and floodplain monitoring projects, and an enthusiasm for taking on new challenges. This position will be field based (80%) with a modest office component (20%) that reflects seasonal project needs around the EPA National Wetland Condition Assessment. 

Responsibilities

Summary of Duties:

• Successfully implement field campaigns as a part of the Environmental Protection Agency's National Wetland Condition Assessment for Idaho, Oregon, and northern California in 2021
• Lead botanical (75%) surveys and participate in wetland soils, hydrology, and water quality monitoring and evaluations
• Perform wetland delineations using standardized sampling techniques including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland delineation methods and Washington State Department of Ecology wetland rating methods
• Plan botanical aspects of field campaigns, including staffing, equipment, access, logistics, landowner coordination, vehicles, and accommodations
• Provide field data quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) on vegetation data
• Work with a peer colleague and Senior Scientist to coordinate field season logistics across multiple field sites

Qualifications

Required:

• B.S./B.A. degree or higher in a natural science related to natural resources, ecology, environmental science, fisheries, or a related field  -AND-
• 3 years of experience performing botanical surveys in wetland environments across Washington, Oregon, or Idaho
• Familiarity with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland delineations and the Arid West and Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coasts regional supplements
• Experience with botanical or forestry survey protocols
• Capacity to work with fellow botanical crew in plant identification using dichotomous keys
• Familiarity with the regional flora of at least one of Oregon, Idaho, or northern California
• Experience performing soil classification and using Munsell color charts for identification of hydric soil types in the field
• Knowledge of wetland types of the Pacific Northwest ecoregion
• Safe driving record, ability to trailer a boat or ATV, and ability to operate watercraft in lake and river environments

Desired Experience:

• Demonstrated understanding of wetland plant ecology (e.g., course work in plant ecology and systematic botany (taxonomy) and experience with plant ecological field work gained through completion of a pertinent B.S. or higher degree, or through professional experience in wetland systems totaling 2 years or more).
• Familiarity with the flora in regions they are assigned to sample and proficiency in identifying wetland plant species common in that region:
  • capable of sight recognition of common dominant species to the level of genus and species, provided plants are at the proper phenological stage; or
  • capable of sight recognition of most species at least to family, and strong proficiency using dichotomous botanical keys and field guides to identify a taxon to the level of genus and species.
• Proficiency in keying many unknown plants to species using regionally appropriate floras and diagnostic keys, particularly for difficult taxonomic groups (e.g., graminoids (grass-like plants), forb taxa in families such as the Asteraceae, or shrub taxa such as willows (Salix species), etc.).
• Ability to distinguish difficult graminoid taxa as Poaceae (grasses), Juncaceae (rushes), and Cyperaceae (sedges, bulrushes, spikerushes), and to distinguish unknown species within these families or genera from one another.
• College or graduate level coursework in botany, plant taxonomy, systematics or equivalent that included field identification of plant species; and/or excellent references regarding proficiency in botanical identification of plants.
• Previous experience conducting botanical or ecological field work, including the collection and preservation of plant specimens.
• Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications and willingness to maintain/renew
• Training in the principles of swiftwater safety

Compensation

• The salary for this position is $20-$25/hour, but experienced candidates may be considered at higher salary levels.
• Successful performance on the National Wetland Condition Assessment and availability of ongoing work opportunities may result in this role transitioning into a staff scientist.

Summary of Employee Benefits:

• Performance-based incentive compensation
• 8 paid holidays and a generous paid time off program

To Apply

• If you are interested in joining our dynamic, growing team please consider applying today. Please click "Apply" below to email  by submitting your resume and one-page cover letter.
• We will begin conducting interviews in December or early January 2020 and continue until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

Four Peaks is committed to ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Through this commitment we hope to positively impact our local, regional, national, and global communities—those same communities in which we operate. We live our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at Four Peaks as core values through how we hire, promote, and develop our team. We are determined to pursue these values to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive day-to-day workplace and company culture.