Sundance Consulting Skills and Qualificiations

Sundance Consulting, Inc.

275 South 5th Avenue, Suite 215 – Pocatello, Idaho 83201

Qualifications and information regarding the botany and silviculturist/ecologist positions now open at Sundance Consult= ing for the summer of 2012. Crews= will be performing an intensive inventory of non-forested areas of Forest Service administered lands. This inve= ntory includes:

1. = Establishing a permanent plot.

2. = Creating a species list of all plants within 24 feet of the plot center with more th= an 1% cover.

3. = Making visual estimates of cover for each of the identified species.

4. = Measuring the ground surface cover using the pin drop method along a transect line.

5. = Measuring the shrub cover using the line intercept method.

6. = Measuring the tree canopy cover.

7. = Performing a down-woody materials sample.

8. = If the plot does contain trees, performing a stand exam on the trees. (This includes increment boring, measuring of diameter and height, calculating radial growth or height growt= h, identifying any diseases, damages, and damaging agents.)

The work is very physically taxing. Long hikes are normal and the plot= s are often not close to maintained trails, requiring cross country hiking. It requires camping in the area wh= ere you are working and preparing your own food while in the field. It requires good team skills as each botanist will be paired with a silviculturist/ecologist to make a team. Good skills in using maps, compass= es, clinometers, GPS units, and increment boring tools are necessary. Many of these skills can be taught= during training if a candidate is lacking in a couple of skills.

Botanists should have the following skills:

1. = Attention to detail.

2. = Good field identification skills.

3. = Willingness to work on identification of a plant until it is correct.

4. = Ability to read, understand and use a plant identification key.

5. = Willingness to be taught.

6. = Willingness to work with other botanists to help them in their identification skills.

7. = Willing to lead their team and take responsibility for any shortcomings in the data and/or data collection process.

8. = Good understanding of how to use maps.

Silviculturists/Ecologists should have the following s= kills:

1. = Attention to detail.

2. = Know tree diseases and damage agents

3. = Know how to increment bore trees.

4. = Be able to take direction from the botanist/team leader.

5. = Physically fit