AmeriCorps Ecological Monitoring Field Technicians Great Basin Institute and Bureau of Land Management
The Ecological Monitoring program at GBI, which focuses on the conservation of natural resources in the Intermountain West, serves as an excellent professional development opportunity for burgeoning natural resource professionals looking for experience in botanical, soil, and rangeland surveys. As an element of this program, participants will implement the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy, which is targeted at collecting standardized inventory and long-term ecological data at multiple scales across western public lands. In accordance with these strategies and through partnerships with multiple agencies, GBI’s Ecological Monitoring Program is dedicated to supporting resource management while providing college graduates and emerging professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience in natural resource management. *Description:* In partnership with cooperating agencies, GBI is recruiting an AmeriCorps Ecological Monitoring Field Technician to work with agency staff and GBI staff. Each AmeriCorps Field Technician will participate in a field crew to characterize vegetation using the AIM protocol, for which training will be provided. 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 resource management issues of the area. During periods of field work, camping will be required. The timeframe for field data collection will generally be either 4 days on (Mon-Thurs) or 8 days on (Wed-Wed) – followed by either 3 days off (Fri-Sun) or 6 days off (Thu-Tue). Field work may include: · 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: · Participation in GBI and agency trainings; · Entering data into an Access-based database; · Identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys; and · Supporting QA/QC data checks *Timeline: *ASAP – August 3rd, 2018 *Location: *Las Vegas, Nevada *Compensation:* · Living Stipend of approximately $9,239.22 dispersed biweekly ($1,026.58 biweekly) · $15 Camping per diem · Paid holidays and personal leave · Paid health insurance (medical, dental and vision) · Student loan forbearance and interest accrual paid · $2,215.24 AmeriCorps Education Award *Qualifications:* *Technical requirements:* - Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, such as: Botany, Wildlife Biology, Range Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Resources or related subject preferred; - 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 preferred; - Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols, including standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots, and site observations; - Experience with data entry and management; - 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 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; - 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; - Flexibility with position location within field district offices; - 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; - Ability to 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 equivalent of two full-time terms of service), (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. *Location Information:* *Las Vegas: *Beyond the bright lights of the Strip, the Southern Nevada District Office manages more than three million acres of Mojave Desert in Clark and Nye counties. The scenery varies from dramatically colorful geologic landforms and largely unspoiled panoramic vistas of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to remote and rugged wild landscapes of Gold Butte Back Country Byway. Recreation opportunities abound and viewing sites for desert plants and animals are easily accessible. Resources of the Southern Nevada BLM District include desert tortoise habitat, big game habitat, Wilderness Study Areas, active grazing allotments, abandoned mine lands, historic and prehistoric cultural sites, and wild horse management areas. *How to Apply:* Please visit our employment web page to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=PD&req= 2018-ACI-019 Please indicate your availability and preferred locations/positions when applying. Application review will begin in November and continue until positions are filled. We encourage applying early in order to gain the best chance at getting your top-choice locations. 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.