Gifford Pinchot biological technician position

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest will soon be hiring a permanent seasonal (18/8) Biological Technician (plants) to join the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Botany Program.  This position has a guarantee of 18 pay periods of full time employment each year.   Additional work beyond the 18 guaranteed periods may be offered if a need and financial resources are available.  This position will have a duty station at Mt. Adams Ranger District located in Trout Lake, Washington.  The position has a strong field component, and will work primarily across the south zone of the forest.  The position requires a valid driver’s license, and ability to work independently in all kinds of weather and terrain.

This position serves as a Biological Technician assisting the journey level Botanist assigned to the south “zone” of the forest (Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens Districts) with a variety of botanical duties in support of Forest activities, including data collection to support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis, conservation of Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive (TES) botanical species, maintenance of native plant material availability for restoration purposes, and coordination of a large invasive species control program. Major duties of the position include survey, identification, and data entry for TES plant species, invasive species, and native species for propagation; preparation of reports summarizing data and management recommendations; administration of projects, which may sometimes involve working as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or inspector for contracts, and coordinating volunteers; data summarization, analysis, and mapping; environmental education, training and awareness programs ensuring that employees, volunteers, partners and others can identify target plant species; and assigned phases of program administration, contract preparation, budgeting, etc. 


We are seeking an individual who has:

• Professional knowledge of plant taxonomy in order to identify plants during field inventories and to confirm identification utilizing other resources.
• Knowledge of basic principles, concepts and methods of forestry and biological/ecological field work for the purpose of characterization of forest and ecosystem attributes.
• Knowledge of computer functions related to data input, retrieval, and routine analysis of data. 
• Ability to perform recurring assignments independently in both the field and the office.
• Skill in technical writing and public speaking sufficient to complete written or verbal reports, information responses, and develop and present program recommendations.
• A safe and professional working attitude.
• The ability to create a work environment that respects, appreciates, and accepts the contributions and perspectives of all employees.
• Curiosity, and enthusiasm for the natural world.

If you have any questions, contact:

Andrea Ruchty
South Zone Botanist
    MS Ecology
    Certified Lichenologist
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Mt. Adams Ranger District
2455 Hwy 141
Trout Lake, WA 98650
(509) 395-3414
[email protected]

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