Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF) Field Lead, Reno, NV Great Basin Institute, Nevada Department of Wildlife, and US Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and service through the west. The Institute’s mission is to advance applied science and ecological literacy through community engagement and agency partnerships, supporting national parks, forest, open spaces and public lands. The Ecological Monitoring Program at GBI serves as an excellent professional development opportunity for natural resource professionals looking for experience in botanical and rangeland surveys. This Program is a component of our well-established Research Associate Program, which focuses on the conservation and management of natural, cultural, and recreation resources in the Intermountain West while providing emerging professionals opportunities to begin or enhance their careers. In accordance with this strategy and through partnerships with multiple agencies, GBI’s Ecological Monitoring Program is dedicated to providing college graduates and emerging professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience in natural resource management. Extensive training and technical field skills development provides employees a unique opportunity to obtain valuable experience in executing monitoring protocols that will increase their employment success. University credit may be available at host institutions for internship or practicum purposes. *Description:* In cooperation with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), The Great Basin Institute is recruiting one experienced individual to serve as the Habitat Assessment Framework Field Lead. The overall objective of this habitat assessment effort is to perform detailed vegetation and site data collection in support of the US Forest Service’s sage-grouse conservation program. Project sites are primarily located in Wyoming sagebrush, pinyon-juniper woodlands and mountain sagebrush communities across northern Nevada. Work will include implementing the USFS and Bureau of Land Management’s Sage-Grouse Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF), a set of protocols for measuring habitat characteristics in support of sage-grouse conservation, and monitoring upland and riparian vegetation in range allotments where sheep and cattle grazing overlaps with sage-grouse habitat. Implementation of the HAF and range monitoring will generate data useful in evaluating the amount, quality and composition of vegetation, which will inform environmental analysis, policy and management actions. Related activities may include participation in population surveys for sage-grouse and other sagebrush-dependent species. During periods of field work, camping for up to seven nights at a time will be required. Field work will include: · Maintaining safety awareness and practices; · Navigating off-trail to sampling sites; · Establishing sampling plots and transects; · Following established protocols to collect data capturing vegetation structure and composition; · Plant identification; and · Taking photo-points. Additional duties include: · Regular communication with GBI support staff and agency staff; · Participation in GBI and agency trainings; · Data entry and management; · Identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys; · Employing extensive QA/QC data checks; and · Leadership: o Supporting and managing a field crew; o Coordinating field logistics and scheduling; and o Report writing and completing administrative paperwork *Location and Timeline:* · Reno, NV: April 16th to October 19th *Compensation:* - $1,392 Biweekly Salary - $31/night camping per diem · Paid holidays and personal leave · Paid health coverage (medical, dental and vision) *Qualifications:* - Leadership experience, including supervising field crews and managing projects simultaneously. *Technical requirements:* - Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, such as: Botany, Wildlife Biology, Range Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Resources or equivalent experience; - Coursework or equivalent experience in plant taxonomy and/or systematics; - Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key; - Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the Great Basin preferred; - Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols (HAF experience preferred), including standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots, and site observations; - Experience with data entry and management; - Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project summary reports; - Ability to read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps; - Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads; - Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units; and - Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access). *Additional requirements:* - Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of the AIM program and the mission of GBI; - Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; - Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; - Ability to work independently; - Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public; - Excellent organizational skills; - Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles; - Experience in and willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field; - Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights); and - Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition. *How to Apply:* Please visit our employment web page at: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2018-RAP-017 to locate the position(s) you are most interested in and apply online directly from our website. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.
