Recruiting for two Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring seasonals at the White River Field Office in Meeker, CO. Please apply for the job here making sure to select Meeker as the position location:
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/359059200 *Position Description: * The seasonal employee will collect field data for the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) program. Vegetative and soils data will be collected at random ecological sites through the White River Field Office in the summer of 2014. Transects will be read to estimate the percent cover of shrubs, grasses, litter, canopy and bare ground using the Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) methodology. An understanding of and experience with identifying vegetation is essential for the position. Within all plots vegetation will be identified to species. Line-point intercept will be used to gather species cover and composition data, shrub density will be measured, and soil descriptions will be required. Position requires navigating to remote random sites throughout the field office using a map and GPS. Fieldwork will require hiking distances through difficult, hot terrain. All point data will be gathered using a GPS unit and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase. Position is mostly field work with some amount of time in the office to electronically file photos and forms. Once field work is completed, the data will be entered into the DIMA database, analyses, and synthesized into a report for future land management planning. The work will be completed by seasonal employees. The seasonal employee will collect field data and complete data entry and analysis. Seasonal must also collect and compile GPS data into a GIS geodatabase. Data analysis must provide managers with vegetation cover, composition, shrub density, and soil results to describe site. *Qualifications: * Applicant should have degree in ecology, botany, range science, wildlife biology, natural resource management, biology, conservation biology, or related field. The applicant must have experience using a taxonomic key and identifying plants to species. A familiarity with northwestern Colorado flora is beneficial. Applicant should also have experience with GPS units or the capability to quickly learn how to use them. The successful applicant must be self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period. The applicant must be physically fit and able to operate in a mix of mostly field work and some office work, which can include long periods of standing or walking on rough, uneven ground; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching or reaching to observe occurrences or to place and retrieve equipment or devices; lifting and moving moderately heavy items weighing up to 40 pounds (e.g., computer equipment, rebar, field equipment). A government vehicle will be used for travel as they are available. The successful applicant will attend three days of training May 20-22) for soils, calibrations, field methods, and database management. Additionally training will be provided for ATV/UTV, CPR and First Aid (or provide certification if still current). Applicant must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. *Position Dates:* May 1st - Oct 1st; Start/end dates somewhat flexible Duration - up to 5 months Housing is not provided and the participant will be responsible for finding her/his own housing. There are a number of rental units within and near the town of Meeker. *Physical/Natural Environment: * The White River Resource Area is located in northwest Colorado and incorporates parts of Rio Blanco, Moffat, and Garfield Counties. The Field Office resource area includes approximately 2,675,360 acres of BLM, national forest, national park, state, and privately owned administered lands. Of this, the BLM administers approximately 1,455,900 BLM surface and subsurface acres, and an additional 365,000 acres of mineral estate underlying state and privately owned surface estate. Elevations range from over 11,000 feet in the Flattops wilderness to the east down to 5,000 feet where the White River leaves the field office boundary on the west. Forests and woodlands cover 685,600 acres of the WRFO with pinyon/juniper woodlands at the lower elevations and spruce/fir forests at the upper elevations. Other forest types found at various elevations include quaking aspen, scattered stands of ponderosa pine, and lodgepole pine communities. Shrublands including sagebrush, salt desert and foothill/mountain shrub communities cover 659,300 of the WRFO. Riparian areas and grasslands make up a small portion of the lowland, foothill, mountain, and alpine areas WRFO but are highly diverse and productive. All of these communities have diverse in plant composition and provide important forage and cover to wildlife and livestock. *Work Environment: * Approximately 80% of the work will be outdoor field work and the remainder will be indoor office work. Office work is carried out in a normal office space, with adequate lighting, heating, ventilation, etc. Field work will be in an outdoor environment where climate, weather, and terrain require care in how the seasonal works. Field work will be extensive and conducted in a hot, dry climate in rugged terrain. The work requires strenuous hiking (up to 5 miles) on unstable slopes and in isolated areas while carrying equipment for several hours a day. On average, July is the warmest month with an average high of 85 degrees F. The seasonal will work as part of a team or individually in the field. The seasonal will work 40 hrs/wk. A flexible schedule may be accommodated allowing the seasonal to opt for a 4 day work week. Meeker is a town of roughly 2,500. Grand Junction (population ~60,000) is approximately 90 miles to the south of Meeker. Amenities in Grand Junction include several grocery stores, several discount/variety stores, hardware stores, several bookstores, a hospital, an urgent care center, several family practice doctors, and an abundance of restaurants. There is no public transportation and commuting by bicycle is possible, however there is no developed infrastructure for bicycle traffic; therefore it is recommended the seasonal has a personal vehicle. *PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION: * *Contact Name: *Mary Taylor *Phone:* 970-878-3807 *Title: *Rangeland Management Specialist *Street Address: *220 E Market Street *City, State, Zip: *Meeker, CO 81641 *Email: *[email protected] *Website: *http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/wrfo.html *SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION: * *Contact Name: *James Roberts *Phone:* 970-878-3873 *Title: *Assistant Field Manager *Street Address: *220 E Market Street *City, State, Zip: *Meeker, CO 81641 *Email: *[email protected]
