Roving Ecological Monitoring Crew Lead Great Basin Institute 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, soil, 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. As an element of the Program, participants implement the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy, which is targeted at collecting standardized inventory and long-term vegetation data at multiple scales across western BLM districts. 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. This video <http://youtu.be/LciTBPG2-Ss> highlights the national BLM AIM strategy for landscape-scale data capture across western states. *Description:* GBI is recruiting one additional Roving Crew Lead to work with agency staff, GBI staff, and GBI Ecological Monitoring Field Leads and Technicians. *Extensive travel throughout the Ecological Monitoring Program area (CA, UT, NV, WY, ID, OR, WA) to support coordination of field crew monitoring with project partners as needs arise will be required*. *Excellent interpersonal skills, and a true passion for Western landscapes, field work, and travel are absolutely critical for success in this position. * The Roving Leads will act as ‘senior leads’ to provide support by working with existing crews to boost or support production and reinforce best practices, or by working together as a support crew when necessary. This position will be based in Reno, NV and will require frequent, often unplanned, travel to multiple western states for extended periods during the field season. Ecological Monitoring Program field crews perform a wide variety of work, including characterizing vegetation using the terrestrial or aquatic AIM protocol, Describing/Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health (D/IIRH), the Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF) protocol, and/or the Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) protocol, for which training will be provided. The particular protocols implemented will vary by location. Roving Leads must have a high level of proficiency with multiple sampling protocols, and must be comfortable learning new techniques and species under strict time limits with a high degree of accuracy. Duties include following established field protocols to conduct vegetation sampling and field data collection on new and existing monitoring sites. Field data will be used by resource specialists and land managers to inform decisions regarding range management and other resource management issues of the area. During periods of field work, camping will be required. Field work will include: · Providing training and leadership guidance for remote field crews; · Attending site visits to ensure field crews are collecting data accurately and efficiently while meeting project goals and timelines; · Maintaining safety awareness and practices; · Navigating off-trail to sampling sites; · Establishing sampling plots and transects; · Identifying and describing soil horizons; · Collecting vegetation data (including species inventory, forb frequency, sagebrush shape, foliar cover, canopy gap, and herbaceous and woody heights); · Making qualitative range assessments; and · Taking photo-points. Additional duties include: · Regular communication with GBI support staff and agency staff; · Participation in GBI and agency trainings; · Entering data into and managing an Access-based database; · Identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys; · Employing extensive QA/QC data checks; · Using ArcGIS to create maps, maintain geodatabases, and perform spatial analyses; · Writing technical reports summarizing data for project partners; · Participating in field staff recruitment; · Acting as liaison to program and field staff; · Leadership: o Supporting and managing field crews; o Coordinating field logistics and scheduling; and o Report writing and completing administrative paperwork *Location:* This position is based at the GBI offices in Reno, NV and requires frequent, often unplanned, travel to multiple western states. *Timeline:* ASAP - October 12th, 2018 *Compensation:* - $1,375 Biweekly Salary; housing in Reno provided by GBI - $1,500 Biweekly Salary when Specialists are on remote assignment - Camping per diem · Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave · Paid health insurance (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 related subject; - 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 sampling area and associated natural resource issues preferred; - Experience in describing and identifying soil horizons; - Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols, 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; - Experience creating maps and performing basic functions with GIS software (ArcMap); 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 flexibility to accommodate travel to remote locations on short notice; - 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: and - Ability to complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) and submit paperwork to BLM human resources prior to beginning position indicating that an active and fully adjudicated BI has been started or completed. *How to Apply:* Please visit our employment web page at: http://crcareers. thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/Careers.aspx?rf=PD&REQ=2017-RAP-096 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. xtW
