http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-RAP-103
The ecological monitoring 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, the Plant Community Ecologist will assist in refining Ecological Site Description (ESD) resources – a critical component to 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 excellent professional development opportunities for natural resource professionals 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 a Plant Community Ecologist to work cooperatively with BLM Resource Managers, a Soil Scientist, and an Ecological Monitoring Field Technician. The Plant Community Ecologist will review and amend 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: • Conduct ecological studies of the vegetation, soil, and environmental characteristics of areas where ecological classifications are produced. These data and their analysis will contribute to the ESD amendments. • Review, analyze, and apply previously collected AIM data to ESD amendments. • Conduct a scientific literature review on journal articles and published technical references on designated topics in order to prepare summaries for ESDs (e.g. state and transition models, and ecological interpretations). • 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. • Participate in the development of ecological resources for the AIM program that aim at quantitatively evaluating the processes within ecological systems. • Interpret ecological site dynamics of the study area. • Assist in the evaluation of ecological conditions on BLM Idaho rangelands to meet the desired objectives of management plans. • 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: BLM Idaho State Office in Boise, ID. The ID BLM manages nearly 12 million acres of public lands, much of which falls on sensitive habitat areas in the southern portion of the state. Field sampling will take place in this southern portion of the state. The position will consist of both field and office work. Boise is situated on the Boise River, which is central to the Greenbelt park and runs through the heart of the city. Many recreational opportunities are found in the greater Boise area including hiking, biking and skiing. Compensation: • $23.50 /hour • Health Insurance • Field Per Diem Timeline: • March 2017 (flexible state date) – November 2017 (with high potential for extension through summer of 2018) Qualifications: Technical requirements: • Graduate Degree (preferred) in Life Sciences, such as: Ecology, Botany, 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; • 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; • Leadership experience; • 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: Qualified and interested applicants should visit our employment web page at: 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.
