Individual Placement - Botany Crew Member with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Position Summary

52-week (12-month) position from February 8, 2027 – February 4, 2028 - The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is currently recruiting two members who will assist with botany and pollinator habitat management and restoration in and around the USACE’s 13 reservoirs in the Willamette Valley Region of Oregon.

Hosting Organization

Willamette Valley Project

Location

Junction City, OR

• This position is primarily in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. SCA Members regularly interact with members of the public. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception maybe limited, spotty, or not available.

Schedule

February 8, 2027 - February 4, 2028

The member will serve a 52-week (12-month) term of service starting approximately February 8, 2027. The members will work full-time for the entire 52-weeks.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The USACE’s mission includes environmental stewardship, and in the Willamette Valley, stewardship includes managing and restoring critical wetland and upland prairie systems that support designated critical habitat for the Fender’s blue butterfly, Kincaid’s lupine, and Willamette daisy. The interns will assist with monitoring endangered plants and pollinators, creating botanical species lists, and surveying for terrestrial and aquatic weeds and sensitive plants. Additional duties will include mapping and removing invasive plants (including hand-pulling and herbicide), assisting with nursery and hoop house operations, collecting and processing seed, working with youth groups, entering data, working with ArcGIS, processing plant collections, and other duties as assigned. Opportunities to cross-train with other disciplines, such as wildlife, cultural, fisheries, and recreation will also be available. Work assignments and cross-training opportunities are seasonally dependent and vary based on the time of year.

Willamette daisy monitoring – 15%

Fender's blue butterfly habitat monitoring (Lupine and nectar species) – 15%

Rare plant surveys and mapping – 5%

Invasive plant species mapping and removal (includes youth group work) – 20%

Nursery and hoop house operations – 15%

Seed collection and cleaning, and plant propagation – 5%

Data entry – 5%

ArcGIS mapping – 5%

File organization – 10%

Other duties as assigned – 5%

Marginal Duties

• General equipment upkeep — cleaning tools, organizing field gear, checking batteries, and preparing supplies for upcoming survey days.
• Basic visitor interaction — answering simple questions from park visitors or youth groups during field days, and directing them to staff for more detailed information.
• Light facility maintenance — tidying nursery workspaces, sweeping hoop house aisles, or assisting with simple organization tasks around storage areas.
• Routine data organization — renaming files, sorting photos, updating folder structures, or preparing digital packets for staff review.

Required Qualifications

• Professional or volunteer experience equivalent to at least 6 months full-time work in field biology, forestry, horticulture, vegetation management, or other relevant field
• Bachelor’s degree in botany, biology, environmental science, or closely related field. Up to three (3) years of additional relevant professional experience may be substituted for part or all of the education requirement.
• Willingness to get an herbicide applicator’s license
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to report on time to the USACE Fern Ridge Lake office
• Ability to track, inventory, and maintain USACE-provided field gear

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using ArcGIS and Field Maps applications
• Knowledge of Northwestern U.S. plants and/or coursework in biology and botany
• Competency in technical plant identification methods, including the use of dichotomous keys in regional floras of Washington, Oregon, or California
• Knowledge of manual techniques for managing non-native plants or trail crew experience
• Horticultural experience (working in plant nurseries, agriculture, or gardening)

Hours

40 per week

The members will work full-time for the entire 52 weeks.

Living Accommodations

The interns will report daily to the USACE Fern Ridge Lake office, 26275 Clear Lake Rd, Junction City, OR 97448. Public transportation options are limited, and the interns must arrange their transportation to and from the office. Field sites may include any of the 13 reservoirs in the Willamette Valley Project, and these positions may occasionally require the interns to use their personal vehicle (miles reimbursable) during work hours.

Compensation

• $960 weekly living allowance
• $2,000 duty travel and equipment reimbursement (receipts required)
• One-time round-trip travel reimbursement up to $650 for non-local candidates who incur relocation expenses (not available for candidates who do not relocate)
• Optional Monthly Health Insurance (13 months)
• Members may attend trainings, local workshops, or complete other online classes.

The living allowance is taxable. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a Federal government background check and driving record check

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Driving

Driving a motor vehicle for the partner agency/organization is a requirement for this position.

To be able to drive a motor vehicle for the SCA, you must:

• Be able to complete or fulfill all partner driving requirements.

Additional Benefits

First Aid/CPR

Health Insurance (optional)

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.