Utah State University, Department of Wildland Resources and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources seek a hardworking, detail oriented individual to contribute to the Utah Rare Plant Program efforts to assess the status and distributions of Utah’s at-risk endemic plant species. This position will collaborate with NatureServe, a national biodiversity conservation organization that prioritizes species conservation. The candidate will join a team of botanists, data managers, and developers who work with state and federal partners to provide information on the extent, condition, and vulnerability of species and ecosystems. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development, analysis and visualization of species data used to guide management and conservation decisions of biodiversity in Utah. Position is located at the Utah DNR headquarters in Salt Lake City. Optional field work during Spring 2024.

The candidate will perform the following core duties (approx. 30 hours per week):

• Query and QA/QC data from a variety of sources for ingestion into the Utah Rare Plant Database. Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS is required.
• Append data to the Utah Rare Plant Database (SQL Server database using Microsoft Access interface).
• Utilize ArcGIS to generate distribution maps and to aid in assessment of the scope and severity of a multitude of threats that may be impacting at-risk plant species.
• Track down articles and information to provide supporting documentation for species conservation status assessments.
• Provide support for various tasks as asked including report writing, data analysis, etc.

Optional duties during field season Spring/Summer:

• Back country camping and hiking throughout Utah for up to 8 days at a time.
• Hiking and backcountry navigation to survey for rare plants, record locations and associated field notes with a tablet or other device.
• Perform monitoring protocols for Utah’s rare plant species
• Using GIS to target search areas, define habitat areas, identify geologic formations and navigate to locations for survey.
• Various office duties of organization of field photographs, creating and organizing ArcMap projects, field equipment care, etc.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Interest in botany, geology and biodiversity conservation
• Experience with ESRI products including ArcGIS online applications and ArcGIS Pro
• Computer skills with Microsoft Suite including Access, Word and Excel.
• Valid Utah driver’s license and ability to drive on unimproved roads
• Attention to detail with an appreciation of quality control procedures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to clearly communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences
• Good interpersonal skills with other members of field crew, partners and landowners
• Ability to be flexible
• Plant identification including the use of dichotomous keys
• Collecting herbarium vouchers and gathering herbarium label information
• Map reading and back country navigation
• Camping and hiking, wilderness first aid and survival
• Photography

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work performed. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.  

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.  

The S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with over $15M in research funding annually, 55 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies.  

The Department of Wildland Resources in QCNR encompasses research in applied terrestrial ecology, including the ecology and management of wildlife, forests, rangelands, conservation biology, and climate change adaptation.  Award-winning faculty teach courses that prepare students for professional careers in many natural resources fields, including programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters and the Society for Range Management and aligned with the Society of Ecological Restoration. 

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 04/2024

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023