Botany Subject Matter Expert - Fort Polk, LA

About the role

The Botany Subject Matter Expert (SME) position is a Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) Team member and Colorado State University employee who is stationed at Fort Polk Louisiana. Fort Polk is located in west-central Louisiana among the longleaf pine forests of the Kisatchie National Forest.

In this role, the Botany SME position serves as a member of the CEMML team, acting as an independent cooperator providing support for botany fieldwork, database management, and the development and submission of deliverables.

This position will support the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) Program Manager with INRMP botanical species project development, mapping sensitive botanical resources and plant communities, field data collection, data entry, data analysis, report writing, and SOP development. CEMML is a research, education and service unit within the Warner College of Natural Resources at CSU. Essential Job

Duties

• Field Work: Conduct field surveys to identify and map sensitive botanical resources, plant communities, and invasive species using Esri products.
• Support forest compartment prescription assessments through botanical surveys, data collection, mapping, and management recommendations.
• Conduct field reviews and site visits to support NEPA analyses and evaluate potential project effects.

Maintain species inventories, monitor species of concern and vegetation trends, conduct invasive species management, and perform wetland identification and delineation. Document Preparation & Reporting: Develop and update botany SOPs, project reports, and INRMP sections, and support NEPA compliance through technical review and recommendations while adhering with established timelines.

Maintain and update installation plant species lists and supports broader program reporting and data calls. Meetings, Scheduling, Training: Participate in project meetings to coordinate schedules and activities, review project progress, discuss future work, and provide updates.

• Additional Tasks Additional tasks may include assisting other programs, maneuver damage Inspections, equipment and building maintenance, outreach, and special events. Supervision: This position will oversee technicians while in the field when applicable.
• Conditions of Employment: Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires) Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license by the employment start date.

Ability to obtain a Common Access Card (CAC) (U.S. Citizenship is a prerequisite); Must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date, CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position Must have the ability to perform strenuous field work Must be able to work in challenging field conditions, including variable weather conditions, insects, wildlife, and dense brush.

Pay and benefits

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Natural Resources, Ecology, Wildlife Biology or a closely related field. Minimum of 3 years of professional experience working within the natural resource field. Experience with botanical surveys. Experience identifying plants using dichotomous keys. Experience with ecological data collection and data analysis. Experience working with ArcGIS Field Maps or similar software.

Proficient in computer applications and software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access. Proficient in oral and written communication, as evidenced by prior experience documenting field activities and writing technical reports and SOPs. Preferred Experience: More than 3 years of experience working within the natural resource field. Experience with vegetation mapping.

Experience working with ArcGIS to delineate and edit boundaries/polygons, fix topology errors, and work within a geodatabase. Database management experience. Experience with wetland delineations. Experience with surveying and managing invasive plants. Natural Resource experience in Louisiana. Experience working on a military installation.

Salary Range $50,000-$60,000 Required Application Documents To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV Employee Benefits Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. Review our detailed benefits information here.

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To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.