http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-ACI-028
The ecological monitoring program at GBI serves as an excellent professional development opportunity for burgeoning natural resource professionals looking for experience in botanical, soil, and rangeland surveys. This program is a component of our well-established Research Associate Program, which focuses on the conservation of natural resources in the Intermountain West. As an element of this program, participants will implement the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) national Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy, which is targeted at collecting standardized inventory and long-term ecological data at multiple scales across western public lands. In some locations, participants will implement the U.S Forest Service (USFS) Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF), which is aimed at collecting habitat assessment data on public land with the purpose of informing conservation efforts for sage-grouse habitat. Opportunities with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) will apply AIM sampling to help guide proper restoration treatment design and to provide a baseline data set against which restoration treatment effects may be measured. In accordance with these strategies and through partnerships with multiple agencies, GBI’s ecological monitoring program is dedicated to providing college graduates and emerging professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience in natural resource management. This video highlights the BLM AIM strategy for landscape-scale data capture across the western states. Description: In partnership with cooperating agencies, GBI is recruiting AmeriCorps Field Technicians to work with agency staff and GBI staff. Each AmeriCorps Field Technician will participate in a field crew to characterize vegetation using the AIM protocol, Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health (IIRH), the Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF) protocol, and/or the Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) protocol, for which training will be provided. The particular protocols implemented will vary by location. Duties include following established field protocols to conduct vegetation sampling and field data collection on new and existing monitoring sites. Field data will be used by resource specialists and land managers to inform decisions regarding resource management issues of the area. During periods of field work, camping will be required. The timeframe for field data collection will generally be either 4 days on (Mon-Thurs) or 8 days on (Wed-Wed) – followed by either 3 days off (Fri-Sun) or 6 days off (Thurs-Tues). Field work may include: • Maintaining safety awareness and practices; • Navigating off-trail to sampling sites; • Establishing sampling plots and transects; • Identifying and describing soil horizons, • Collecting vegetation data (including species inventory, forb frequency, sagebrush shape, foliar cover, canopy gap, and herbaceous and woody heights); • Making qualitative range assessments; and • Taking photo-points Additional duties include: • Participation in GBI and agency trainings; • Entering data into an Access-based database; • Identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys; and • Supporting QA/QC data checks Locations and Tentative Timelines: Multiple positions are available throughout Nevada. Please indicate your availability and preferred locations/positions when applying. Rolling recruitment will begin in November and continue until positions are filled. We encourage applying early in order to gain the best chance at getting your top-choice locations. Starting Soon!!! • BLM: Las Vegas • 26 Week Appointment from February 6th– August 3rd • 2 positions • $13,265.00 Living Allowance • $2,887.50 AmeriCorps Education Award • National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Volunteer pass after 250 hours of service USFS Locations: Austin, Ely, Winnemucca/Santa Rosa • May to October • 6 positions • Housing provided in USFS bunkhouses • $9,950.00 Living Allowance • $2,199.92 AmeriCorps Education Award • National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Volunteer pass after 250 hours of service BLM Locations: Battle Mountain, Carson City, Elko, Ely, Winnemucca • April to September • 20 positions • $13,265.00 Living Allowance • $2,887.50 AmeriCorps Education Award • National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Volunteer pass after 250 hours of service NDOW Location: Reno • April to September • 9 positions • Living Allowance TBD • $2,199.92 AmeriCorps Education Award NDOW Location: Reno • April to August • 3 positions • Living Allowance TBD • $1,527.45 AmeriCorps Education Award All Positions Include: • $15 Camping per diem • Paid holidays and personal leave • Paid health insurance (medical, dental and vision) • Student loan forbearance and interest accrual paid Qualifications: Technical requirements: • Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, such as: Botany, Wildlife Biology, Range Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Resources or related subject preferred; • Coursework or equivalent experience in plant taxonomy and/or systematics; • Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key; • Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the sampling area and associated natural resource issues preferred; • For BLM positions, experience in describing and identifying soil horizons preferred; • 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 safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads; • Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units; • For BLM and USFS positions, experience creating maps and performing basic functions with GIS software (ArcMap); and • Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access). Additional requirements: • Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of the AIM program and the mission of GBI; • Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; • For BLM positions, 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; • 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 Leave No Trace principles; • Experience in and willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field; • Flexibility with position location within field district offices; • 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; • Ability to 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 two full-time terms of service), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement. Location Information: Austin: Founded in 1862, Austin (pop. 300) lies in the geographic center of the State of Nevada along U.S. Highway 50 - "The Loneliest Highway in America". Countless outdoor recreation opportunities are available in Austin, including hiking, mountain biking and camping in beautiful undisturbed remote locations. Austin is 90 miles south of Battle Mountain, NV the nearest full service community; 117 miles north of Tonopah, 112 miles east of Fallon and 178 miles east of Reno. Battle Mountain: Battle Mountain is a small (pop. 3,635) community located between Winnemucca and Elko on I-80 in Central Nevada. Central Nevada is home to historic mining and ranching that conjure up images of the Wild West. Nevada's mountain ranges and wide open valleys are home to wildlife, livestock and wild horses and burros. The Battle Mountain District Office manages approximately 10.5 million acres of public land within Lander, Eureka, Esmeralda and Nye Counties. Opportunities for recreation abound from fishing, hunting, hiking, horseback riding and camping to visiting ghost towns, petroglyph sites, rock hounding and stargazing. Carson City: Carson City, Nevada’s capitol city, is located 30 miles south of Reno. Carson is a quick drive from beautiful Lake Tahoe and acts as a gateway to the Sierras. The BLM Carson City District Office administers more than 4.8 million acres of federal public land in eleven counties in western Nevada and eastern California. Elko: Elko, Nevada is one of the most underestimated areas in northern Nevada and has something for everyone. With a population of about 20,000, Elko has a lively community with downtown art events supporting local businesses. Lamoille Canyon Recreation Area is a short 20 miles from town and is the perfect location for avid hikers, fisherman, backpackers and campers. Annual cultural events include Cowboy Poetry, Basque Festival, Motorcycle Jamboree, California Trails Days, Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival, and many more. The Elko BLM District encompasses 12.3 million acres of high desert. Ely: Ely is a small Nevada town located in the eastern center of the state. There are approximately 6,000 people in Ely and its surrounding towns. The USFS Ely Ranger District covers about 1 million acres with elevations ranging from valley floors around 5000 feet to above tree line, over 12,000 feet. The District hosts a multitude of treasures to explore related to outdoor activities. Las Vegas: Beyond the bright lights of the Strip, the Southern Nevada District Office manages more than three million acres of Mojave Desert in Clark and Nye counties. The scenery varies from dramatically colorful geologic landforms and largely unspoiled panoramic vistas of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to remote and rugged wild landscapes of Gold Butte Back Country Byway. Recreation opportunities abound and viewing sites for desert plants and animals are easily accessible. Resources of the Southern Nevada BLM District include desert tortoise habitat, big game habitat, Wilderness Study Areas, active grazing allotments, abandoned mine lands, historic and prehistoric cultural sites, and wild horse management areas. Reno: The Reno-Sparks metropolitan area is home to approximately 500,000 people and offers year-round recreation opportunities, a vibrant urban scene and numerous community events. Reno has over 300 days of sunshine and four distinct seasons. Located on the northwestern edge of Nevada, Reno is a great home base from which to travel to Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada range, San Francisco and more! Santa Rosa/Winnemucca: The USFS crews will be stationed at the historic Paradise Valley Guard Station in Paradise Valley, NV. Paradise Valley (pop. 109) is a small rural community that sits at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Recreation opportunities are plentiful with many different hunting and fishing options available. There are unlimited places to go camping and hiking to explore the area. The town is located 40 miles north of Winnemucca, NV, a full service community. Winnemucca: Winnemucca is a small city (pop. 7,500) located along the Humboldt river in North-central Nevada. This high desert city is full of classic charm. The historic downtown area is interspersed with delightful boutiques, restaurants, and pubs. Winnemucca is a great jumping-off point for many types of outdoor recreation. Nearby are hiking, hunting and biking trails, as well as miles of ATV and off-road adventure trails. The BLM-Winnemucca District Office boundary encompasses 11,099,758 acres located in all of Humboldt and Pershing counties, and portions of Washoe, Lyon and Churchill counties in the northwest corner of Nevada. How to Apply: Please visit our employment web page to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-ACI-028 Please indicate your availability and preferred locations/positions when applying. Rolling recruitment will begin in November and continue until positions are filled. We encourage applying early in order to gain the best chance at getting your top-choice locations. 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.
