Habitat Improvement Coordinator Description: In cooperation with the Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW), The Great Basin Institute is recruiting an experienced individual to serve as a Habitat Improvement Crew Coordinator. The overall objective of this habitat improvement effort is to perform the restoration of cavity-nesting songbird habitats by removing mining claim posts throughout the state of Nevada. Removing the abandoned posts will protect wildlife from mortality and injury, and will restore nesting, foraging and migratory habitat for dozens of native wildlife species throughout the state.
Duties: General duties include walking long distances over uneven terrain, following and collecting GPS points, observing and monitoring wildlife, identifying vegetative demographics and distribution, and taking photo-points. The crew coordinator should have excellent communication skills and the ability to lead and motivate a crew through 8 day tours in various field conditions. This position will require travel to and from field sites and back-country camping during the field season and may require long hours including early mornings and weekends. The preferred candidate will be comfortable working in remote locations with no cell phone service. Individuals with experience in the Great Basin and/or navigating and driving to back country locations are encouraged to apply. The coordinator will also work with GBI Staff and the NDOW Lead for project planning, equipment organization and maintenance, vehicle organization, field protocol and data QA/QC, and team deployment and supervision. The project team will include three international volunteers, rotating every 6-12 weeks. A program of the Great Basin Institute (GBI), the International Conservation Volunteer Exchange (ICVE) is a volunteer program for international participants who wish to collaborate with American environmental professionals on natural resource projects on public lands throughout the American West. ICVE is based on the philosophy that international understanding and goodwill can be achieved through cooperating on the shared goal of improving the environment. By attracting a corps of conservation-minded volunteers, ICVE contributes to the breakdown of cultural barriers while advancing ecological awareness on a global scale. Contract length: July 16, 2012 (or upon availability) December 21, 2012 Rate of Pay: $10 - $15/hour, DOE + medical and dental benefits + field per diem Location: The position will be based out of GBIs Reno, NV office. Field site locations are located throughout Nevada, and may require several hours of travel time to access. Terrain is typical of the Great Basin and Mojave with wide long valleys bordered by mountain ranges. Field conditions include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun. Resources include big game habitat, Wilderness Study Areas, active grazing allotments, abandoned mine lands, historic and prehistoric cultural sites, and wild horse management areas. Qualifications: Bachelors degree in one of the major natural sciences applicants with advanced degrees encouraged to apply; Understanding of basic principles related to the fields of soil science, wildlife biology, geology, and/or hydrology; Applicants should possess relevant or related field experience knowledge of and/or experience working in high desert ecology, preferable; Ability to navigate and set a bearing using a compass and to read a topographical map; Ability to collect, QA/QC, and post-process data using handheld GPS units, required; Possess a clear understanding of GIS theory and applications, including experience with ArcGIS 9.x to create maps, manipulate and analyze data, and generate reports; Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; Physically fit to work outdoors, carry personal and field equipment, and withstand working and camping in inclement weather during spring and summer weather in northern Nevada; Possess a clean, valid, state-issued drivers license and the ability to operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; and Pass FBI criminal and National Sex Offender Public Registry background checks. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Bridget Walden, at bwal...@thegreatbasininstitute.org. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
