Botany Field Team Lead GBI / USFS, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest *Description:*
In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the Great Basin Institute is recruiting a Botany Field Team Lead to join our AmeriCorps program to work cooperatively with the GBI Research Coordinator while responsible for a crew consisting of 1-4 botany technicians and working with a larger crew of up to 10 members. The Field Lead will help to coordinate and implement a variety of project-specific biological surveys and habitat restoration projects. The Field Lead will be responsible for the working directly with the Research Coordinator conducting project activities, including ensuring adherence to protocols and procedures, serving as a positive role model for other field team members, and facilitating accurate completion and documentation of project efforts. The Field Team will conduct Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive plant surveys across a large project area, as well as identify larval host and nectar plants for butterflies of interest. Native seed collection for ongoing restoration work may be conducted following Federal “Seeds of Success” protocols. Restoration and enhancement activities may include: identification and documentation of disturbed locations in sensitive habitats; collecting seed of local genotypes of native plant species; documenting encounters of State listed noxious weeds. Collectively, the team is responsible for data collection, entry and analysis; report writing; project planning and mapping; and other tasks assigned by SMNRA resource biologists. Work schedule is four 10 hours days, Monday – Thursday. Minimal camping may be required for small portions of the field season, but not a general weekly duty. Opportunities to participate in training (e.g. GIS, Wilderness 1st Aid, off-road driving) during the season may be available. The crew member must be able to work in difficult terrain that may include steep, rocky slopes, areas of dense trees, and lower elevation desert. Exposure to a variety of adverse weather conditions are likely with average day time temperatures above 100 degrees, night time temperature as low as 30, extreme sun exposure, and monsoonal rain events should all be expected. This work is physically demanding and requires long hours of off-trail hiking (up to 14 miles) while conducting surveys. *Compensation & Timeline:* 24-week appointment (April 16 – September 29, 2018) $ 10,215.00 Living Allowance $2907.50 Education Award* Student loan forbearance* $15 field per diem $75 weekly Housing Stipend *Location:* The base of operations for this opportunity is northwest of Las Vegas, NV on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. The successful applicant will experience a tremendous diversity of habitat types from the Mojave Desert habitat surrounding the SMNRA to the alpine ecosystem of Mt Charleston (11,916 feet). Many developed and undeveloped recreational opportunities are available in the region ranging from rock climbing and bouldering, to mountain biking, hiking, and fishing. *Qualifications:* Technical requirements: - Bachelor’s degree in biology (botany, natural resource conservation, ecology, ect.) or a related field; - Coursework in and applied knowledge of plant taxonomy and ecology, including use of technical botanical keys (dichotomous plant key without pictures); o Experience (one year) conducting floristic field surveys or vegetation monitoring (e.g. repeat photography, or transect and quadrat systematic sampling); - Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and data collection; o Experiencing collecting, preserving and mounting herbarium and voucher specimens; - Familiarity with plants of the area, including rare, sensitive, threatened and endangered, preferable; o Experience conducting restoration monitoring and maintenance work (e.g., seed collection, hand tool use) preferred; o Familiarity with, or proven ability and desire to learn specific State and Federal laws and Forest Service policies related to plants; - Knowledge of GIS software, preferred; - Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project reports; and - Possess strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to lead and coordinate a four person crew in a remote setting. Additional requirements: - Ability to complete a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to US Forest Service indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has been completed prior to beginning the position. - Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; - Ability to safely drive a 4WD vehicle on unpaved roads that can be steep and rutted; - 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; - Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field; - Ability to work productively, consistently and cooperatively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; - Familiarity with backcountry, low-impact principles preferred; and - Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement. Please indicate which position timeline you are applying for in your cover letter. How to Apply: Please visit our employment web page to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req= 2018-ACI-008 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.