Description: In cooperation with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Great Basin Institute is recruiting a Habitat Assessment and Restoration Assistant to support the Nevada Partners for Conservation and Development Program (NPCD; http://ndow.org/nevpcd/). Goals of the NPCD are to protect Nevadas biodiversity, restore productive rangeland ecosystems to support wildlife and agriculture, and provide high quality outdoor recreation opportunities. Work will focus on habitats of Sage grouse, Mule deer and other inhabitants of sagebrush ecosystems characteristic of the Great Basin Desert. The Assistant will (1) conduct habitat assessments focusing on vegetation attributes including species identification, cover, density and frequency; (2) participate in habitat restoration involving use of native and non-native plant species and operation of machinery; and (3) collect field data on vegetation characteristics and spatial features, generate and manipulate geodatabases, and produce maps of project assessment and treatment areas, (4) assist in project management and, (5) author reports concerning project status. NPCD activities will occur statewide and will also include participation in planning, scoping and informational meetings with diverse stakeholders. The NPCD promotes conservation solutions that sustainably support mixed land uses. Statewide travel and camping will be required. Compensation: o $19.00/hour o Field per diem (overnight travel or camping) o Health Insurance o Training opportunities Timeline: o 16 April - 12 January 2013 (39 weeks from start date) o Full time (40 hours per week); some overtime may be required o Generally Monday - Friday, occasionally some weekends
Location: Based in Reno, NV, near the Lake Tahoe Basin, Mt. Rose Wilderness and Tahoe National Forest, as well as many other outdoor recreation destinations. Field work will take place statewide, especially in sagebrush regions. Qualifications: Technical requirements: o Bachelors degree in biology, botany, wildlife management or related natural resource field; o Background in standard field methods for sampling vegetation attributes, including identification of individual plant species and use of dichotomous keys; o Experience with sagebrush vegetation and associated methods preferred; o Understanding of plant community ecology and relationships between animals such as Sage grouse or Mule deer and their preferred habitat types; o Experience with re-vegetation following fire or other disturbance preferred, including use of native and non-native plant species in restoration, and experience with or willingness to learn about the use of applicable machinery; o Strong back-country skills, including safety, navigation, and low impact principles; o Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and tablet computers for data collection; o Knowledge of GIS software for making maps and generating metadata; o Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project reports; and o Knowledge of database use for data analyses preferred Additional requirements: o Possess a valid, state-issued drivers license and clean driving record; o Experience operating 4WD trucks on- and off-road, including unimproved roads; o Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; o Strong ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders who have diverse interests in habitat project outcomes; o Ability to work in all types of climate and weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition; o Willingness to travel statewide to remote field sites; o Willingness to camp, sometimes in remote areas, up to four night per week; and o Pass National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) and federal criminal 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.
