*Vegetation and Habitat Monitoring Technician: http://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/employment/research-associates-employment/wild-horse-burro-monitoring-technician/ <http://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/employment/research-associates-employment/wild-horse-burro-monitoring-technician/>*
*Rangeland & Drought Monitoring Technician: http://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/employment/research-associates-employment/rangeland-drought-monitoring-technician-2/ <http://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/employment/research-associates-employment/rangeland-drought-monitoring-technician-2/>* * Vegetation:* *General duties* include planning for and completing monitoring within Wild Horse and Burro Herd Management Areas working either alone or in cooperation with the Mount Lewis Field Office Wild Horse and Burro Specialist or other staff member, including other Monitoring Technicians. Monitoring will require adherence to Bureau of Land Management Technical References, use of digital cameras, and detailed documentation of field observations. The incumbent will be responsible for compilation of data, labeling digital photos and analyzing and display of data using GIS (ArcMap). GBI is seeking an associate to fill the monitoring technician position that will perform the following duties: 1. *Wild Horse and Burro Monitoring –* The Monitoring Technician will be responsible for documenting wild horse and burro body condition on the range under established BLM Protocol (Henneke Condition Scoring). The monitoring will also involve the documentation of animal presence and movement patterns, and habitat quality and quantity including rangeland health indicators and water availability/condition. The Technician may assist with collecting data for wild horse and burro NEPA documentation and assisting with gathers. 2. *Plant Identification* - plant and plant community identification, including the ability to use vegetation identification keys to properly identify upland range plants common throughout the Great Basin. Responsible for the identification of individual plants, describing existing and potential plant communities using soil survey and ecological site description information. 3. *Soil Identification* - Has exposure to identification of soils, and is able to use of soil surveys in order to determine soils grouped into the site, identify landscape and soil factors, and determine existing or potential erosional factors. This information would be utilized to aid in determining site potential and evaluation of current conditions. 4. *Upland Monitoring Studies – *Utilizing plant and soil identification skills, the Monitoring Technician will be responsible for conducting upland monitoring studies under established BLM protocol. Monitoring could include but is not limited to Utilization, Use Pattern Mapping, Ecological Site Inventory, Cover and Density techniques. *Qualifications:* - Applicants should have a combination of educational and field experience related to the position of interest (degree in Rangeland Management/Sciences, Wildlife, Ecology, Botany or other similar degree), including an understanding of basic principles related to the fields of botany, soil science, and/or livestock science; - knowledge of Great Basin ecology, preferable; o knowledge and ability to use various monitoring techniques to determine range vegetation and animal condition (e.g. utilization, nested frequency, rangeland health indicators, water availability/condition, wild horse body condition); o knowledge and ability to identify rangeland vegetation and the functional aspects of rangeland ecology, riparian condition; and livestock and equine health); - ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units, required; - ability to use a compass and read a topographical map; o experience working with ArcGIS, desirable *(includes ability to analyze and display data using ArcMap)*; - possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license and ability to operate a 4WD vehicle on- and off-road: - ability to work independently and within a team environment; - ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; o applicant should have good organizational skills; - be physically fit to work outdoors, carry personal and field equipment, and withstand the rigors of the Great Basin in the summer, fall and/or early winter. - Successful applicant(s) must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to BLM human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. *Rangeland:* *General duties* include working cooperatively with BLM Rangeland Management Specialists as part of an upland rangeland monitoring team utilizing various field data collection methodologies to determine current upland range condition. Drought monitoring will be conducted to identify affected resources and monitor the condition of forage resources and level of use by livestock within allotments, wild horses and burros within Herd Management Areas, and within greater sage-grouse preliminary priority habitat. Monitoring data may also be collected to determine the effectiveness of emergency stabilization and rehabilitation (ESR) treatments after wildfires. The Technicians will be responsible for providing written documentation of data collection (survey forms) and organizing photographic and GPS/GIS documentation of survey areas. Based on collected data, conclusions and recommendations can be made in support of evaluating upland range and vegetative conditions in order to maintain, restore, and/or improve upland resource values to achieve a healthy and productive ecological condition. GBI is seeking Research Associates that possess the following qualifications to perform the duties described: 1. Plant Identification - plant and plant community identification, including upland range plant taxonomy and ecology common throughout the Great Basin. Responsible for the identification of individual plants, describing existing and potential plant communities using soil survey information, interpreting vegetation, and successional sequences. 2. Upland Monitoring Studies – utilize plant and soil identification skills to conduct upland range monitoring studies under established BLM protocols. Monitoring consists of double-weight sampling, ecological site inventory, utilization, use pattern mapping, cover, line-point intercept, gap-intercept, and density techniques. Duties may also consist of conducting livestock compliance checks, which provide information on livestock placement and movement as it relates to annual authorized use. 3. Soil Identification - exposure to identification of soils, use of soil surveys, determine soils grouped into the site, identify landscape and soil factors, and determine existing or potential erosional factors. This information is utilized to aid in determining site potential and evaluation of current conditions. *Qualifications:* - Applicants should have a combination of educational and field experience related to the position of interest, and an understanding of basic principles related to the fields of botany and/or soil science; - Knowledge of Great Basin ecology, preferable; - Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units, required; - Experience working with ArcGIS, desirable; - Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; - Proficient in the use of a compass and ability to read a topographical map; - Effectively communicate, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; and - Physically fit to work outdoors, carry personal and field equipment, and withstand the rigors of the Great Basin in the spring, summer and fall. - Successful applicant(s) must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to BLM human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. *Location:* Battle Mountain, NV is located ~220 miles east of Reno, NV along Interstate 80. Battle Mountain and the surrounding area (pop. ~4,000) is predominantly rural; situated in the high desert (~4,500 ft. elevation) where ranching/mining are the local economic drivers. The Mount Lewis Field Office is responsible for managing approximately 4.5 million acres of public land typically of basin-and-range topography with Great Basin Desert/sage brush steppe ecotype. Tonopah, NV is located roughly half way between Reno and Las Vegas, NV along Interstate 95. Economic drivers in the Tonopah, NV and surrounding area (pop. ~2,600/~6,000 ft. elevation) include mining and renewable energy. The Tonopah Field Office manages 6 million acres of public land and has two distinct ecotypes Mojave desert and Mojave/Great Basin transition zone. *Compensation & Timeline:* - Rate of Pay: $16.00/hour - Medical benefits (health and dental) o Timeline: appointment to begin May 18, 2015 (or upon availability) and continue through mid-November; potential for extension pending funding and a favorable performance review o Full-time position (40 hours/week) with occasional overtime *How to Apply:* Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter (including where you found this position posted), their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Amy Gladding, GBI HR Coordinator, at [email protected]. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries, please. We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.
