LAND HEALTH ASSESSMENT FIELD TECHNICIAN Description: The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, is recruiting 14 field technicians for land health assessment teams. These teams will consist of three members, including a Crew Lead, and will comprise environmental scientists (ecologists) having diverse areas of training and expertise to work cooperatively in a field-based setting. The overall objective of the team is to perform land health assessments through inventory and monitoring of geomorphic, vegetative and hydrologic characteristics of the landscape. Data are utilized for adaptive management decisions, restoration projects, and/or to improve wildlife habitat to achieve a healthy and productive ecological condition.
Duties: General field duties include walking long distances over uneven terrain while carry equipment. Overnight camping will be required. Field Technicians will collect GPS and photo points, identify soil characteristics, and vegetative demographics and distribution. Office tasks may include assisting with data organization, plant identification, processing and QA/QC; post-processing GPS points; and contributing to report writing. Field Course: Participate in a field-based environmental methods and field protocols training and additional BLM trainings. Compensation: $12,800 Living Allowance $2,822 AmeriCorps Education Award Student loan forbearance and interest accrual Daily field per diem Contract length: March 30th 2015 September 25th, 2015 Location: These positions will be based out of five Nevada BLM district office locations: Ely, Winnemucca, Carson City, Battle Mountain and Elko. Terrain is typical of the Great Basin desert, with wide long valleys bordered by mountain ranges. Field conditions include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun, and potentially cold, damp winter weather. Resources include Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, big game habitat, Wilderness Study Areas, active grazing allotments, abandoned mine lands, historic and prehistoric cultural sites, and wild horse management areas. Qualifications: Bachelors degree in one of the major natural sciences; applicants with a background in soils or botany preferred; Understanding of basic principles related to field science and data collection. Be able to utilize dichotomous keys for plant identification, knowledge and/or field experience of plant ecology in the Mojave Desert region. Familiarity in describing and sampling soils, experience in soil texturing, identifying soil horizons, and soil properties. Ability to navigate and set a bearing using a compass and to read a topographical map; Ability to collect data using handheld GPS units, preferred; Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; Willingness to work collaboratively in a team setting; Physically fit to work outdoors, carry personal and field equipment, and withstand working and camping in an arid, desert environment; Possess a clean, valid, state-issued drivers license and the ability to operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; 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 the equivalent of two full-time education 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 Amy Gladding, Human Resources Coordinator at [email protected]. Please include how you heard about this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries, please. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. This position will not have recurring access to vulnerable populations defined as children 17 and under; adults 60 or older; or individuals with disabilities. This position does not duplicate work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of workers, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in work force, or an employee who is on leave.
