The Great Basin Institute is hiring for a Field Lead and Field Technicians to support the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Nevada Department of Wildlife to perform detailed vegetation and site data collection within population management units of the genetically distinct Bi-State Sage Grouse located along the western Nevada border where habitat restoration projects will be undertaken or are currently underway.
*Field Lead* This position will play a vital role in facilitating the effective and efficient collection of monitoring data. General field duties include walking long distances over uneven and sometimes steep terrain, collecting GPS points of sampling plots and other plot-specific data, identifying vegetative demographics and distribution, and taking photo-points. Sampling vegetation structure and composition using the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) methodology will be the principle focus of field data collection, resulting in estimates for foliar cover, canopy gap, herbaceous and woody density, and plant species richness. AIM field data will be entered into the electronic Database for Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment (DIMA). The Field Lead will also coordinate with the GBI Project Lead 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 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; post-processing GPS points; utilizing GIS to edit polygons as well as point and line data; and creating reports with GIS maps, pictures and concise field notes. 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. The timeframe for field data collection will generally be 8 days on (Wed-Wed) – for travel to sampling region, field sampling and on-site camping, and return to GBI/NDOW in Reno – followed by 6 days off (Thu-Tue). Time spent training during the beginning of the field season and post-season office work involving data QA/QC and report writing will follow a typical Mon-Fri schedule. Contract length: mid-May 2015 – mid-October 2015 Compensation: $1392 bi-weekly salary + field per diem Health Insurance: Provided Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in one of the major natural sciences – applicants with advanced degrees encouraged to apply; • Previous experience leading a field crew strongly preferred • 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, navigate to predetermined locations using GPS, and read a topographic map while navigating in vehicle or on foot; • Ability to collect, QA/QC, and post-process data using the DIMA, required; • Preference for a clear understanding of GIS theory and applications, including experience with ArcGIS 10.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, lift heavy gear, and withstand working and primitive camping with no amenities for up to eight consecutive days in sometimes inclement weather during spring and summer in northern Nevada; • Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; and • Pass FBI criminal and National Sex Offender Public Registry background checks. More information and application instructions: http://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/employment/research-associates-employment/nfwf-vegetationhabitat-assessment-field-lead/ *Field Technicians * General field duties include walking long distances over uneven and sometimes steep terrain, collecting GPS locations of sampling plots and other plot-specific data, identifying vegetative demographics and distribution, and taking photo-points. Sampling vegetation structure and composition using the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) methodology will be the principle focus of field data collection, resulting in estimates for foliar cover, canopy gap, herbaceous and woody density, and plant species richness. AIM field data will be entered into the electronic Database for Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment. This position will require travel to and from field sites and extended field camping in order to ensure that all transects are successfully completed during the field season. Implementation may require long hours including early mornings and weekends. The timeframe for field data collection will generally be 8 days on (Wed-Wed) – for travel to sampling region, field sampling and on-site camping, and return to GBI/NDOW in Reno – followed by 6 days off (Thu-Tue). Time will also be spent in the GBI offices performing data entry and QA/QC, plant identification, and other office-related tasks. Time spent training during the beginning of the field season and post-season office work involving data QA/QC and other assigned duties will follow a typical Mon-Fri schedule. Timeline and Compensation: Contract length: mid-May 2015 – mid-September 2015 Living Allowance: $4,400 AmeriCorps Education Award*: $1,493 Student loan forbearance Field camping per diem Health insurance provided Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or coursework in one of the major natural sciences; • Understanding of basic principles related to the fields of botany, soil science, wildlife biology, geology, and/or hydrology; • Applicants should possess some relevant or related field experience; applicants with plant identification experience preferred • Ability to navigate and set a bearing using a compass, navigate to predetermined locations using GPS, and read a topographical map; both on foot and driving an off-road vehicle • Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; • Physically fit to work outdoors, carry personal and field equipment, lift heavy gear, and withstand working and primitive camping with no amenities for up to eight consecutive days in sometimes inclement weather during spring and summer in northern Nevada; and • Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or equivalent of 2 full-time awards), and (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) and federal criminal background checks. More information and application instructions: http://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/employment/research-associates-employment/7409-2/
