*Ecological Monitoring Project Manager* *Great Basin Institute *
The Great Basin Institute is recruiting a committed Ecological Monitoring Project Manager to work with agency staff, GBI staff, and GBI field crews to assist in the implementation of Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) and allied projects located in multiple western states (position to be located in North-Central Utah). Within GBI’s Ecological Monitoring Program, the overall objective of the AIM program is to provide quality land management assistance by producing consistent, landscape-scale monitoring data in support of the BLM national strategy for standardized resource monitoring. Sampling sites are predominantly located in sage grouse habitat, on public rangelands, and in riparian systems within designated priority areas. Field crews collect biotic, hydrologic, and soil qualitative indicators in conjunction with quantitative data to inform conservation planning and adaptive management decisions. Please follow this link for a video that highlights the BLM’s national strategy for landscape-scale data capture across the western states using AIM: http://youtu.be/LciTBPG2-Ss The Project Manager will manage multiple projects and multiple field crews (10+) across the western U.S. and will work with the Ecological Monitoring Program Director to oversee all aspects of implementation including planning, recruitment, training, deployment, logistics, and crew safety; project budgeting and responsible fiscal management; building and maintaining project partner relationships; and ensuring data quality and accuracy. This position requires both office and field work, with frequent travel during the field season. Qualified applicants will have a background in Great Basin ecology, GIS, rangeland inventory methodologies, relational database concepts, project management including basic budgeting, and excellent written and oral communication skills. Extensive field experience including 4x4 navigation on backcountry roads, knowledge of GPS units and tablets for data collection, and well-developed observational skills are required. *Duties and Responsibilities:* Project Management & Coordination · Proactively maintain regular communication with agency partners to coordinate and promote adaptive management, development and budgeting, and compliance with agreement terms; · Oversee and coordinate recruitment, management, training, and deployment of multiple field crews and personnel; · Develop project plans, budgets, and ensure completion of project deliverables and objectives; · Oversee equipment organization and maintenance, vehicle coordination, and team deployment; · Oversee data management and delivery, which includes executing quality-assurance measures, performing quality-control data checks periodically throughout the field season, and using GIS to provide spatial analysis for reports and other mapping products; · Travel to perform site visits, particularly during the field and shoulder seasons, to BLM districts/offices and field sites in designated western states; · Collaborate with other GBI staff to ensure compliance with contract, grant, and agreement terms and conditions, including: budget management, financial reporting, payroll and invoice review and processing, and compliance with employer rules and regulations. · Promoting a culture of safety and maintaining safety communication and best practices with AIM crews during the field season; Data Support · Perform and improve upon the process of advanced quality control checks of extensive Microsoft Access and other datasets; · Use ArcGIS to create maps that facilitate the interpretation of AIM and other data, maintain geodatabases, and perform spatial analyses; · Prepare and conduct formal and informal trainings remotely and in-person on data management, QA/QC procedures, GIS basics, and navigation using a GPS; · Provide technical advice to crews on sampling protocols, database use, equipment (i.e., field tablet computers, GPS devices, software use), and implementation of the field season; and · Write technical reports summarizing data for partner agencies; · Conducting interim reporting and drafting summary reports; Other · Travel, camping, and site visits to ensure crews are collecting data accurately and efficiently and to meet with agency personnel; This is principally an office-based position, although extensive field-season travel, often involving camping, will be required to conduct site visits and support field crews. Individuals applying for this position should be adept at working in an office environment and capable of working long days in the field while overseeing crews. Compensation · Salary: $48,000 annual salary, DOE · Benefits for full time employees include paid health/dental insurance, paid vacation/sick time, and 401K program with match. *Location:* Based at GBI offices in the Salt Lake Valley, UT. *Qualifications:* - Advanced degree in Natural Resources, Ecology, Botany, Soil Science or related field and at least 5 years of experience; exceptionally strong candidates with a B.S. degree and at least 5 years of experience will be considered. - 3 years minimum in a leadership position overseeing personnel, budgets, and project deliverables; - Experience working with federal land management agencies, members of the public, and/or non-profit organizations; - Understanding of principles related to a combination of the fields of botany, soil science, wildlife biology, geology, hydrology, and spatial analysis; - Applicant should possess relevant or related field experience – knowledge of and/or experience in high desert and Great Basin ecology preferred; - Awareness of best practices for field safety, communication and risk management; - Applicant should possess a strong background in plant community ecology and plant identification; those with additional soil identification experience will be given preference; - Ability to lead and manage the collection of field data according to protocol guidelines followed by a detailed QA/QC process; preference for those possessing experience and confidence analyzing geospatial data, creating map products, and working with relational databases; - Willingness to travel and camp for multiple days at a time to field sites in support of field crews; - 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 late winter, spring, and summer in the West; - Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; - Meet requirements of federal agency security background checks (e.g., FBI criminal and National Sex Offender Public Registry, Department of Interior Security Screening). *To Apply: *Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2018-GBI-004 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.
