*Vegetation/Habitat Assessment Field Leads and Technicians* *Leads: * https://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/job/vegetationhabitat-assessment-field-lead-for-ndow-in-ely-nv/
The vegetation/habitat monitoring program at GBI serves as an excellent professional development opportunity for burgeoning natural resource professionals. This program is a component of our well-established Research Associate Program, which focuses on conservation and management of natural and cultural resources in the Intermountain West. Through a partnership with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), GBI’s vegetation/habitat monitoring program is dedicated to providing college graduates and emerging professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience in natural resource management. Position Objectives: In cooperation with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), The Great Basin Institute is recruiting one experienced individual to serve as Vegetation/Habitat Assessment Field Lead. The overall objective of this habitat assessment effort is to perform detailed vegetation and site data collection at locations where habitat restoration projects will be undertaken and at sites where restoration is underway. Additional sites will be sampled with a focus on climate change and sage-grouse habitat. Restoration project sites are located in Wyoming sagebrush, pinyon-juniper woodlands and mountain sagebrush communities across northern Nevada. Restoration projects are focused on wildlife habitat including Sage Grouse (endangered species candidate), Mule deer, and a variety of non-game species. The vegetation and site data are used to help guide proper treatment design and to provide a baseline data set against which treatment effects may be measured. Duties: This position will play a vital role in facilitating the effective and efficient collection of monitoring data. General field duties include regular use of best practices for safety, walking long distances over uneven and sometimes steep terrain, collecting GPS points of sampling plots and other plot-specific data, observing wildlife, 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 Leads will also coordinate with the GBI Project Lead and the NDOW Lead for promoting a culture of safety, 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, and creating reports with GIS maps, pictures and concise field notes. 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 NDOW in Reno – followed by 6 days off (Thu-Tue). Time will also be spent in the GBI and/or NDOW offices performing data entry and QA/QC, plant identification, and other office-related tasks. A traditional Mon-Fri schedule will be adopted for the six weeks of training prior to the field season and post-season office work involving data QA/QC and report writing. Contract length: 11 April, 2016 - October 14, 2016 (27 weeks) Compensation: $1392 bi-weekly salary + field per diem Health Insurance: Medical benefits provided Location: This position is based in Reno, NV. Field sites are located in northern Nevada, and may require several hours or up to a full day to access. Terrain is typical of the Great Basin with wide, long valleys bordered by mountain ranges. Field conditions include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun and nights with temperatures possibly dropping to near freezing at high elevations. 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: • Bachelor’s degree in one of the major natural sciences or equivalent experience; • Previous experience successfully 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 an electronic database, strongly preferred; • 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; • Familiarity with field safety practices and low impact principles; backcountry experience preferred; • 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. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to [email protected]. Please indicate “NDOW Reno Field Lead” in your email subject line. Please include where you found this position posted. 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. *Techs:* https://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/job/vegetationhabitat-assessment-field-technician-for-ndow/ The vegetation/habitat monitoring program at GBI serves as an excellent professional development opportunity for burgeoning natural resource professionals. This program is a component of our well-established Research Associate Program, which focuses on conservation and management of natural and cultural resources in the Intermountain West. Through a partnership with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), GBI’s vegetation/habitat monitoring program is dedicated to providing college graduates and emerging professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience in natural resource management. Position Objectives: In cooperation with NDOW, The Great Basin Institute is recruiting three AmeriCorps members to serve as part of an inter-disciplinary vegetation/habitat assessment team. The overall objective of this habitat assessment effort is to perform detailed vegetation and site data collection at locations where habitat restoration projects will be undertaken and at sites where restoration is underway. Additional sites will be sampled with a focus on climate change and sage-grouse habitat. Restoration project sites are located in Wyoming sagebrush, pinyon-juniper woodlands and mountain sagebrush communities across northern Nevada. Restoration projects are focused on wildlife habitat including Sage Grouse (endangered species candidate), Mule deer, and a variety of non-game species. Sites locations include land managed by the BLM, USFS and private landowners. The vegetation and site data are used to help guide proper treatment design and to provide a baseline data set against which treatment effects may be measured. Duties: General field duties include regular use of best practices for safety, walking long distances over uneven and sometimes steep terrain, collecting GPS locations of sampling plots and other plot-specific data, observing wildlife, 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 NDOW in Reno – followed by 6 days off (Thu-Tue). Time will also be spent in the GBI office and NDOW offices performing data entry and QA/QC, plant identification, and other office-related tasks. A traditional Mon-Fri schedule will be adopted for time spent training during the beginning of the field season and post-season office work involving data QA/QC and report writing. Timeline and Compensation: 21-week positions (3) Contract length: April 25, 2016 - September 16, 2016 Living Allowance: $6,300 AmeriCorps Education Award*: $2,200 Monthly housing stipend: $350 Student loan forbearance Field camping per diem Health insurance provided * AmeriCorps Education Award may be used for past, present or future education experiences, including payment of qualified federal student loans. Location: These technician positions will be based out of Reno, NV. Field sites are located in northern Nevada and may require several hours or up to a full day to access. Terrain is typical of the Great Basin with wide, long valleys bordered by mountain ranges. Field conditions include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun and nights with temperatures possibly dropping to near freezing at high elevations. 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: • Bachelor’s degree, coursework in one of the major natural sciences or equivalent experience; • 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; ; • 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. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to [email protected]. Please indicate “NDOW Field Technician” in your email subject line. Please include where you found this position posted. 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.
