Position Objectives: In cooperation with the Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW), The Great Basin Institute is recruiting an experienced individual to serve as a Habitat Assessment Project lead. The overall objective of this habitat assessment effort is to perform detailed vegetation and site data collection at locations where habitat restoration projects will be undertaken and at sites where restoration is underway. Restoration project sites are located in Wyoming sagebrush, pinyon-juniper woodlands and mountain sagebrush communities across northwestern Nevada. Restoration projects are focused on wildlife habitat including Sage Grouse (endangered species candidate), mule deer, and a variety of non-game species. The vegetation and site data are used to help guide proper treatment design and to provide a baseline data set against which treatment effects may be measured.
Duties: General field duties include walking long distances over uneven terrain, collecting GPS points, observing and monitoring wildlife, identifying vegetative demographics and distribution, collecting water samples and water quality data, and taking photo-points. The Project Lead will also coordinate with GBI Staff and the NDOW Lead for project planning, equipment organization and maintenance, vehicle coordination, field protocol and data QA/QC, and team deployment and supervision. The successful applicants must have strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and exhibit strong leadership and organization skills. Office tasks include data organization, processing and QA/QC; post-processing GPS points; utilizing GIS to edit polygons as well as point and line data; and to create reports with GIS maps, pictures and concise field notes. This position requires GIS skills in ArcGIS 9.x and related mapping software and will play a vital role in facilitating the effective and efficient collection of monitoring data. This position may require pre-season travel to and from field sites with occasional camping in order to ground truth transect start points and to ensure that all transects are successfully completed during the field season and may require long hours including early mornings and weekends. Contract length: May 09, 2011 – September 02, 2011 Rate of Pay: $17.40/hour + field per diem Location: The position will be based out of GBI’s Reno, NV office. Field site locations are located through northern and western Nevada, and may require several hours of travel time to access. Terrain is typical of the Great Basin with wide long valleys bordered by mountain ranges. Field conditions include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun. Resources include big game habitat, Wilderness Study Areas, active grazing allotments, abandoned mine lands, historic and prehistoric cultural sites, and wild horse management areas. Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in one of the major natural sciences – applicants with advanced degrees encouraged to apply; • Strong knowledge of botany, use of dichotomous keys and making field collections of plants- knowledge of Great Basin plants, vegetation and the Intermountain Flora preferred; • Understanding of basic principles related to the fields of soil science, wildlife biology, geology, and/or hydrology; • Applicants should possess relevant or related field experience – knowledge of and/or experience working in sage grouse habitat and/or high desert ecology, preferable; • Ability to navigate and set a bearing using a compass and to read a topographical map; • Ability to collect, QA/QC, and post-process data using handheld GPS units, required; • Possess a clear understanding of GIS theory and applications, including experience with ArcGIS 9.x to create maps, manipulate and analyze data, and generate reports; • 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 spring and summer weather in northern Nevada; • Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license and the ability to operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; and • Pass FBI criminal and National Sex Offender Public Registry background checks. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Bridget Walden, at [email protected]. Please include where you found this position posted. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
