Position Objectives: The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service Mojave Desert Network (MOJN) Inventory & Monitoring (I&M) program, is recruiting two Field Crew Leaders. The crew leaders will coordinate two field crews to conduct vegetation and soil monitoring. The overall objective for this part of the project is to perform integrated upland monitoring on Joshua tree woodlands in Joshua Tree National Park, CA. Vegetation, soils, and target invasive species will be monitored for status and trends. Data collected is intended to provide decision-makers with indicators and insights on the upland communities.
Duties: General field duties include implementing Integrated Upland (IU) protocols designed to address MOJN I&Ms vital signs (training will be provided); walking long distances over uneven terrain; establishing monitoring sites; collecting vegetation and soils data using established procedures; taking GPS points and photos at each site; ensuring the consistency of data quality during the field season; and data management. The Field Crew Leader will also coordinate with the Field Crew Supervisor and MOJN I&M staff for project planning, oversight of field safety and logistics, field protocol and data QA/QC, team deployment and supervision, equipment organization and maintenance. This is a supervisory position, thus the successful applicant 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; and compiling pictures and concise field notes. This position will require regular travel and camping during the field season in order to ensure that all plots are successfully completed during the field season, and may require long hours including early mornings and weekends. Location: Joshua Tree National Park is of special management concern, lying in the transition of the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. Terrain of the survey area is typical of the Mojave Desert with wide, long valleys bordered by mountain ranges. Field conditions include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun, as well as cold, winter weather. Resources of the region include threatened and/or endangered species habitat, big game habitats, abandoned mine lands, and historic and prehistoric cultural sites. Contract length: 19 January 2015 - 30 April 2015; potential for extension pending funding and positive performance review Rate of Pay: $1,360 biweekly salary Qualifications: Bachelors degree in one of the major natural sciences; Applicant must be able to demonstrate strong leadership and good organizational skills; Understanding of basic principles related to botany, soil science, wildlife biology, geology, and/or hydrology; Applicant must possess strong plant identification skills; those with additional field soil identification experience will be given preference; Applicants should possess relevant or related field experience knowledge of and/or experience in Mojave Desert and nearby regions preferred; 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; 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; Possess a clean, valid, state-issued drivers license and the ability to operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; and First Aid and Wilderness First Aid training preferred Meet requirements of federal agency security background checks (i.e., FBI criminal and National Sex Offender Public Registry, Department of Interior Security Screening) How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Amy Gladding, GBI HR Coordinator, at [email protected]. Please include where you found this position posted. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. No phone inquiries, please. 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.
