http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-RAP-103
The ecological 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. As an element of our ecological monitoring program, participants will assist in refining Ecological Site Description (ESD) resources used by the Bureau of Land Management’s national Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy in Idaho. The AIM strategy is targeted at collecting standardized inventory and monitoring data at multiple scales across the Western BLM districts with the purpose of informing multiple-use management. In accordance with this strategy and through a partnership with the BLM, GBI’s ecological monitoring program is dedicated to providing college graduates and professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience in natural resource management. This video highlights the BLM’s AIM strategy for landscape-scale data capture across the western states. Description & Duties: In cooperation with the BLM Idaho State Office, GBI is recruiting an Ecologist to work cooperatively with BLM Resource Managers and possibly an Ecological Monitoring Field Technician. The Ecologist will review and provide supplementary information to Ecological Site Descriptions developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within the project area. ESDs are standardized reports that provide detailed information on the classifications of rangeland and forestland soils and vegetation, and the ability of these designated areas to respond to different management activities or disturbances. This work will be used by BLM Natural Resource Specialists to inform decisions regarding range management and other land management issues of the area. Primary duties include the following: • Interpret ecological site dynamics of the study area. • Conduct ecological studies of the vegetation, soil, and environmental characteristics of areas in which ecological classifications are produced. • Serve as a specialist for ongoing soil and range inventories by assisting in the design, description and range interpretations of mapping units, including the gathering of range and woodland vegetation data to support these mapping units. • Review scientific literature and published technical references for information on designated topics and prepare summaries for ESDs. • Participate in the development of resources for the AIM program to collect baseline data to quantitatively evaluate the processes within the ecological systems. • Assist in the evaluation of ecological conditions on BLM Idaho rangelands to meet the desired objectives of management plans. • Follow established field protocols to conduct vegetation sampling, and field data collection on new and existing monitoring sites within Idaho. • Coordinate with BLM personnel for project planning, field protocol and data QA/QC, team deployment and supervision, equipment organization and maintenance. • Assist in field work including maintaining safety awareness and practices, navigating off-trail to sampling sites, and collecting ecological data. During these periods of field work, camping may be required. Location: This position will be based out of the Boise BLM State Office in Boise, ID. The work will be a combination of office and field-based. The BLM in Idaho manages nearly 12 million acres of public lands, much of which falls on sensitive habitat areas in the southern portion of the state. Compensation: • $23.50 /hour • Health Insurance • Field Per Diem Timeline: • November 2016 (flexible state date) – August 2017 (with potential for extension) Qualifications: Technical requirements: • Graduate Degree (preferred) in Life Sciences, such as: Ecology, Botany, Wildlife Biology, Range Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Resources or related subject; • A minimum of 2 years’ experience in ecological field work; • Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project summary reports; • Leadership experience; • Experience using Ecological Site Descriptions and/or identifying Ecological sites; • Coursework in plant taxonomy and/or systematics (transcripts may be requested); • Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key; • Familiarity with native and invasive plants and the ecology of the Southern Idaho and/or the Great Basin Region and associated natural resource issues preferred; • Advanced understanding of great basin vegetation dynamics; • Experience in describing and identifying soil horizons; • Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols, including standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots, and site observations; • Experience with data entry and management; • Ability to read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps; • Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units; • Experience creating maps and performing basic functions with GIS software (ArcMap); and • Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access). Additional requirements: • Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; • Ability to complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) and submit paperwork to BLM human resources prior to beginning position indicating that an active and fully adjudicated BI has been started or completed; • Experience operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in narrow or sandy areas; • Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; • Ability to work independently; • Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public; • Excellent organizational skills; • Familiarity with best practices for field safety and low impact principles; • Experience in and willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field; • Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights); and • Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition. How to Apply: Please follow this lick to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-RAP-103 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.
