Botany Field Technician—Native Plant Seed Collection

Colorado State University • Fort Collins, CO

2d • $18 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) of Colorado State University is seeking a Botany Field Technician to support seed and native plant material collection in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). This summer, collect native seed and plant material as part of a broader initiative to establish and expand the USFS Native Plant Materials Program throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. Native plant material banks are critical in restoring lands after disturbances, creating long-term soil stability, enhancing wildlife habitats, and building resilient ecosystems. This is a very hands-on role and includes assisting with coordination, scouting, seed collection, delivering native plant materials to the USFS, managing data, and reporting. The position offers a unique opportunity to explore USFS lands in all five states of the Rocky Mountain Region (Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas) while camping in remote areas and spending full days in the field. The Botany Field Technician will be stationed in Fort Collins. Teams will spend 4 - 8 days in a row in the field, away from their base location, backcountry hiking and camping on USFS lands. The typical field schedule during the season is 8 days on with 6 days off. Full Consideration Date: March 27th, 2026

Requirements

• Coursework in botany, ecology, natural resources, range management, or related field.
• Ability to work both independently and with a team of diverse individuals, to maintain effective working relationships, and be self-motivated.
• The ability to organize, manage time, and problem-solve; ability to handle complex tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience using dichotomous botanical keys and/or field guides, familiarity with the major plant families, and/or knowledge of western flora.
• Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules, travel extensively during the field season, car camp, and hike long distances (up to 6+ miles/day) while carrying a heavy pack (up to 40 lbs.).
• Willingness and ability to work with a positive attitude in field conditions that include exposure to inclement weather, rugged terrain, hot or cold weather (25–110° F), mosquitos, and poisonous plants, all while maintaining a strong commitment to team safety.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and/or employment.

Nice To Haves

• A completed bachelor’s degree (or expectation of a completed degree by May 2025) in botany, ecology, natural resources, range management, or a related field.
• Experience collecting scientific data related to vegetation sampling, plant population abundance, plant identification, plant phenology, and/or habitat assessment.
• Experience specific to seed and native plant material collection.
• Ability to reliably identify grass species using a dichotomous key.
• Experience working in habitats like the study areas including the Rocky Mountains and/or Great Plains.
• Experience working on a field crew.
• Experience with field navigation with a GPS unit or a tablet, field navigation apps, and a topographic map.
• Experience with ArcGIS online, ArcGIS Pro, development of Field Maps projects or Survey123 forms, and map making.
• Experience driving 4x4 vehicles on rough roads and camping in remote locations.
• Experience collecting data electronically using tablets or other devices.

Responsibilities

• Participate in collection events with staff, partners, and/or volunteers, ensuring accurate data recording and collection of native plant material.
• Follow safety protocols using proper documentation, consistent communication, and field awareness.
• Work with a dedicated botany crew lead all season during field trips for seed scouting and collection.
• Using GPS-enabled tablets and provided maps, drive to and from sites and navigate to plot locations via paved roads, dirt roads, hiking trails, and off-trail travel. Travel will often be through dense vegetation and over long distances in various temperatures and weather conditions.
• Identify target plant species, including grass species, in the field.
• Following a protocol, determine if a native plant population is suitable for seed collection by analyzing plant abundance and the surrounding habitat.
• Collect biological and spatial data on native plant populations using Survey123 and Field Maps.
• Collect seeds and reference herbarium specimens where suitable.
• Assist the botany crew lead in coordinating tasks and maintaining strong communication with the CNHP, USFS, and Colorado Native Plant Society staff to determine logistics for native plant material collection events.
• Update field plans, safety protocols and collection priorities when necessary.
• Assist with the management, quality assurance, and reporting of field-collected data and collection event outcomes. This may include creating maps and reports that communicate where collections took place, which species were collected, and collection weights.
• Assist with the management of collected seeds and native plant materials throughout the field season and deliver them to USFS partners.

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.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level