2025 BOTANY ASSISTANT (Seasonal Job)
City of Eugene, Parks and Open Space
West Eugene Wetlands Program
2 positions available
Posted: Feb. 28, 2025 Open until filled. Application review begins March 14, 2025.
Pay rate: $18.00 - $19.50/hour, DOE
Work period: Approximately 18-20 weeks of work from mid-May through mid-October 2025, with 2-3 weeks off in August, depending on work needs.
The Botany Assistants will work in the West Eugene Wetlands on a two-person seasonal team monitoring vegetation and collecting and processing native seed. Occasional invasive species removal will be required. Most of the work will be in the field within 10 miles of the City of Eugene:
Vegetation Monitoring: Assistants will quantitatively monitor wetland prairie plant communities using point-intercept methods, enter data, identify plants within monitoring transects and restoration sites, map locations of non-native and rare species, and other duties, such as plot maintenance and occasional invasive vegetation removal, as assigned.
Seed Collection and Processing: Assistants will collect and clean seeds of local Willamette Valley native plants from public and remote sites within 10 miles of Eugene, document seed collection activities, mix seed for use in restoration projects, map plant populations using GPS technology, enter records into a database, and similar duties, as assigned.
Learn more about our park system and the wetland mitigation program.
Qualifications and Skills
Successful candidates for the Botany Assistant position will have:
• ability to rapidly identify Willamette Valley native prairie plants in the field, with prior college coursework in plant identification preferred.
• good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate in a professional manner with the public and other employees.
• ability to hike several miles daily over uneven terrain,
• good attention to detail and ability to keep clear, well-organized records,
• good physical condition, with ability to lift 50 lb bags of seed, install corner posts of monitoring plots, and conduct daily activities that involve repeated bending and crouching, such as during seed collection and monitoring, in inclement weather and in rural prairie settings.
NOTE: Botany Assistants typically work 40 hours per week, M – F. Botany Assistants must be age 18 or older and hold a valid driver’s license.
To be hired, you must pass a driving records check and maintain a driving record that meets City standards. These jobs require passing a physical exam which includes a drug screen.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job will be considered.
How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume, addressing the supplemental questions, below:
Supplemental Questions to be submitted as part of application:
1. Describe your education and experience with plant identification, including the flora of western Oregon and Willamette Valley prairies.
2. Describe your experience and/or education related to plant monitoring and seed collection.
3. Please indicate the dates by which you could begin work in May and whether you would be available to work through October 20, 2025. Also please let us know if you would be interested in, or prefer, a shortened field season (May through July), in case we have that as an option.
First round of applicant review starts March 14 at 8 AM, so submit your application materials by then for first consideration; however, applications will be accepted until both positions are filled.
Note: We also have a Field Assistant job available, also posted at the Quantum Recruiters website. Please indicate on your application materials if you are interested in being considered for both jobs.
For other questions, contact Diane Steeck, at dsteeck@eugene-or.gov.