Botany Subject Matter Expert

Botanical Society of America; Leesville (LA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University in Fort Polk, Louisiana, seeks a Botany Subject Matter Expert to support botanical surveys, data management, and INRMP project development. The role involves mapping sensitive resources, field data collection, and SOP development, with duties spanning data entry, analysis, and reporting.

The position requires a Bachelor’s in Natural Resources or related field and at least 3 years of relevant experience, including ArcGIS Field Maps usage, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• 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 in natural resources.
• Experience with botanical surveys and identifying plants using dichotomous keys.
• Experience with ecological data collection and data analysis.
• Experience with ArcGIS Field Maps or similar software.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, and Access; strong written and oral communication.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Maintain species inventories and monitor vegetation trends; conduct invasive species management and wetland identification/delineation.
• Develop and update botany SOPs, project reports, and INRMP sections; support NEPA compliance with technical reviews.

Skills

Field surveys with plant species

Ecology field data collection

Data analysis

Oral and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Field Maps

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Job description

Colorado State University - Leesville, Louisiana, United States

Position Title: Botany Subject Matter Expert

Position Type: Permanent Position

Department/Division: CEMML

Field (e.g., systematics): Environmental Management

General Information: 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. To learn more about CEMML’s contributions to land management, our mission, vision, and values, visit http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/.

For full consideration, please apply by Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 11:59 PM (MT).

Qualifications/Requirements

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Compensation Range: $50,000-$60,000 per year