The position will support Vegetation Program efforts of the California Native Plant Society CNPS) to inventory, describe, and map California's vegetation. The position works with CNPS staff, Chapter volunteers, and the Vegetation Committee to support activities such as the Manual of California Vegetation book revision, vegetation classification and mapping, field sampling and trainings, field data and analysis, and general outreach. The position also works directly with the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), other public agencies, and conservation organizations. The Vegetation Project Leader / Assistant position reports directly to the Vegetation Ecologist, and it requires a highly organized, detail-oriented individual.
Organization Description
Founded in 1965, CNPS is a statewide non-profit organization that has grassroots and
volunteer-based efforts. CNPS is dedicated to increasing understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through scientific study, education, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship. CNPS has goals of habitat conservation through science-based methods and has been a state leader in developing protocols for inventorying and classifying vegetation, now widely used by many agencies and organizations. CNPS has approximately 10,000 members organized in 33 chapters, and it has 14 state and local staff.
CNPS Vegetation Program
The CNPS Vegetation Program is dedicated to developing and maintaining information
resources about California native plants, natural plant communities, and ecosystems. The
Program is developing quantifiable definitions of all types of vegetation in California to promote science-based conservation at the natural community level. The program views vegetation as the best single expression of the range of ecological variation, which can be depicted in maps across any landscape and can be described with standard analytical vegetation descriptions. The Program maintains a uniform system of vegetation sampling protocols and vegetation classification. The protocols have been developed over the past 15 years by the CNPS Vegetation Committee, and include the CNPS Vegetation Rapid Assessment Protocol and the CNPS Relevé method. Quantitative data collected and archived by CNPS provides information directly for A Manual of California Vegetation, a CNPS publication on vegetation classification. The sampling and classification methods of the Program have become standards for documenting vegetation patterns, utilized by state and federal agencies such as California State Parks, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the Forest Service, and the National
Park Service. The Program also works directly with DFG and other public agencies and
conservation organizations on vegetation classification and mapping projects around the state. Information about the CNPS organization, staff, protocols, and projects can be found at www.cnps.org.
Experience & Skills
The Vegetation Project Leader / Assistant must have the following skills and abilities:
• General botanical and ecology knowledge, California botany and floristics, conservation biology, and vegetation ecology.
• Identification of plants to the species level.
• General understanding of scientific methods and basic field sampling techniques for
plants and vegetation (e.g., knowledge of the relevé, rapid assessment methods).
• Strong general computer literacy (Windows OS, Word, Excel, and email at minimum),
and strong database management skills and data entry proficiency (e.g., MS Access).
• Strong writing, verbal, analytical, and organizational skills, with an attention to detail.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide variety of people, including
CNPS volunteers, agency personnel, academics, and other professional and amateur
botanists.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ArcGIS/ArcView, and
vegetation mapping.
• Ability to work independently, to take direction, to train/teach others, and to work as part of the CNPS team.
• Ability to work long days in the field under various conditions including hot and cold
weather over a variety of terrain; ability to monitor safe working conditions.
• High degree of commitment and dedication to plant conservation goals.
• Minimum education: Undergraduate degree in botany, biology, or the equivalent.
• Physical job requirements include sitting, driving, carrying, lifting, standing, and hiking.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
The duties of the Vegetation Leader or Assistant may include:
• Assist the principal authors in the editing of vegetation descriptions, reviewing of
geographic maps, and other details for the Manual of California Vegetation.
• Perform data entry, data cleansing, quality control, and management of vegetation data. Organize digital/slide photos.
• Provide research and information on rare plants and vegetation types by utilizing the
CNPS Inventory, the DFG Natural Diversity Database, Geographic Information Systems
(GIS), and agency contacts.
• Assist in vegetation mapping efforts. Use imagery and GIS/mapping techniques to
interpret and delineate vegetation patterns. Create projects in ArcGIS/ArcView.
• Work directly to support the efforts of the Vegetation Ecologist to compile vegetation
data in databases such as the California Vegetation Information System (CVIS)
database and rapid assessment database.
• Develop and write standardized descriptions of vegetation, based on information
collected in vegetation sampling projects of CNPS as well as other affiliated agencies
and organization projects such as DFG, National Parks, and NatureServe.
• Collect both quantitative and qualitative vegetation and environmental data using the
CNPS vegetation methods from various project locations in California.
• Assist in outreach, planning, and providing training and supervision of field assistants or volunteers in vegetation survey collection for local chapters and the public.
• General maintenance and organization of vegetation program equipment, supplies, etc.
• Periodically attend monthly CNPS staff, Vegetation Committee, and quarterly Chapter
Council meetings. Represent CNPS and the Vegetation Program at meetings as needed.
• Other job duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements
Physical job requirements include sitting, driving, carrying, lifting, standing, and hiking. The position requires office work with prolonged sitting and use of a computer and mouse, as well as some standing and bending. It also requires the ability to work long field days under rigorous conditions (including inclement conditions), to hike in rugged terrain, and to lift/carry equipment that is up to 1/3 of your body weight.
Additional Job Requirements
• Work times are generally eight hour days for five days a week, usually Monday to Friday.
• The main location for office work is in Sacramento, California; field work may be in various locations in the state.
• A valid California driver’s license and proof of car insurance are required, provided annually.
Salary
The position is offered at $14.42-18.27 per hour, commensurate with experience. This is a fulltime,temporary position with secured funding for at least 3 months. Extended employment is likely to include field projects in central and northern California, and is based on future contract funding.
To Apply
Please provide the following application materials: a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of three references (including reference name, address, phone number, and email, as references will be checked before hiring).
Your primary contact is Jennifer Buck, Vegetation Ecologist. Send your application materials via post mail, via fax, or via email to:
California Native Plant Society
2707 K Street, Suite 1
Sacramento, CA 95816
Attn: Vegetation Position
Fax: (916) 447-2727
jbuck@cnps.org
Application Deadline
Application is open until position is filled. Acceptable applicants may be contacted immediately after receipt of application, starting by Dec 10, 2007. Interviews may begin during the week of Dec 17-21, 2007, by phone or in person.