Vegetation Research Associate Great Basin Institute and Mojave National Preserve, California
*Description:* In cooperation with the National Park Service Mojave National Preserve (MOJA), the Great Basin Institute (GBI) is recruiting a Vegetation Research Associate to work cooperatively with National Park Service staff to accomplish vegetation management throughout the Preserve. MOJA has 86 non-native species over an area of 7,000+ acres. Non-native species can cause irreparable damage to the ecological balance of plants, animals, soil, and water. They alter natural resources by forming monocultures, changing fire regimes, and decreasing water availability for native plants and animals. Weed control is needed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate these impacts on Preserve resources. The Preserve is also home to four “grandfathered-in” grazing allotments and is working with a local university to begin a rangeland health monitoring program. The project will include, but is not limited to, performing invasive plant control using a variety of methods, reading and recording vegetation transects for rangeland health assessments, assisting the Preserve botanist with other vegetation-related projects like monitoring rare plant populations and performing stand assessments in relic white fir forests. Additional opportunities will be provided to participate in other Science & Resource Stewardship projects. *Timeline: * - Three-month appointment beginning July/August 2018 or pending availability and completion of DOI Background Investigation o Full time, 40 hours per week; overtime and/or weekend hours will be required occasionally *Compensation: * - $17.25/hour - Health Insurance *Location: * Mojave National Preserve (MOJA) is 1.6 million acres, with about 44% of it designated as Wilderness. While most of MOJA is made up of the Mojave Desert, components of the Great Basin desert are found in higher elevations and parts of the southern portion of the park are made up of the Sonoran desert. Resources of the region include threatened and/or endangered species habitat, big game habitats, abandoned mine lands, and historic and prehistoric cultural sites. *Qualifications:* Technical requirements: o Bachelor’s degree in biology, restoration ecology, botany, natural resource management, environmental science, or related field; o Experience conducting ecological field work, preferably related to botany, and capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner; o Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols, such as standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots, and site observations; o Familiarity with invasive/exotic plant species and associated resource issues, and experience in performing weed inventories, treatment and monitoring; - Knowledge of the Mojave region, including common plants, wildlife, and/or geology/topography; o Willingness to perform physical labor, including but not limited to, manual removal of non-native vegetation, and planting of native vegetation; o Willingness to handle and apply chemical herbicides to non-native vegetation; o Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and/or data collection; o Willingness and ability to work, hike, and lift, carry and use equipment in harsh, variable desert conditions; - Motivated, detail-oriented, self-starter that has the flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities and possesses strong organizational skills; o Ability to work in all types of weather and terrain in the harsh Mojave Desert environment; and o Ability to live and work in rural and remote field and office environment. Desired, but not required: o Experience using small engines such as generators, chain saws, and augers; o Extensive knowledge of Mojave desert flora and/or ability to use dichotomous keys to identify plants to the species level; o Experience using and manipulating data in GIS and/or database programs; - Prior experience working collaboratively in a multi-agency environment; - Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field; o Willingness to sometimes work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights); - Ability to work productively, consistently and cooperatively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; - Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; - Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, and withstand the rigors of a mountain and/or desert environment in all seasons; - Familiarity with backcountry, low-impact principles preferred; and - Ability to pass National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) and federal criminal background checks. Successful applicant must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application. *How to apply*: Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/Careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&REQ=2018-RAP-045 <http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/Careers.aspx?rf=PD&REQ=2018-RAP-045> The Great Basin Institute conforms 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.
