A program of the Great Basin Institute (GBI), the International Restoration and Adaptive Resource Management (RAM) program is a cross-cultural exchange between university students and young professionals and focuses on the idea of global citizenship through ecologically-based service and education. Using ecologically-based projects as a means to cross cultural thresholds, RAM enables the growth of international stewardship, while advancing environmental services on a global scale. GBIs international program has hosted over 600 students and young professionals from the United States and over 50 countries across the globe.
Position Description: The Great Basin Institute is recruiting an experienced individual to serve as a RAM Crew Supervisor. The RAM Crew Supervisor will lead a 5-7 person restoration crew consisting of student-interns, both domestic and international, and focus their time in the field on invasive plant management projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and along the Truckee River corridor, and on Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) restoration projects throughout northern Nevada. Invasive Plant Management: The introduction and spread of invasive plants in the western United States is an issue of significant concern. Invasive plants are a threat to unique and sensitive ecosystems with devastating effects on the ecology by reducing land values and degrading wildlife habitats. The project will involve the identification of native and invasive species, the monitoring and mapping of high use recreation areas, and the eradication of invasive weeds utilizing mechanical and chemical methods. Recreational OHV Restoration: The recreational use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) has been identified as an area of critical concern by land management agencies throughout Nevada. The recreational use of illegal roads damages wilderness areas and significantly impacts sensitive wildlife habitat. The project will involve strategic management to appease multiple user groups by decommissioning illegal dirt roads, rehabilitating damaged areas, installing informative signs and kiosks, and conducting road inventories. Duties: General field duties include walking long distances over uneven terrain, following and collecting GPS points, identifying vegetative demographics and distribution, and taking photo-points. The Crew Supervisor will also coordinate with GBI Staff and our project partners 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 may include data organization, processing and QA/QC; and post-processing GPS points. This position will require travel to and from field sites and back-country camping during the field season and may require long hours including early mornings and weekends. Contract length: May 9, 2012 August 31, 2012 Rate of Pay: $13 - $16/hour DOE Location: The position will be based out of GBIs Reno, NV office. Field site locations are located throughout Nevada, and may require several hours of travel time to access. Terrain is typical of the Great Basin and Mojave 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: Bachelors degree in one of the major natural sciences applicants with advanced degrees encouraged to apply; 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 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 drivers 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.
