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 also implement the BLM 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 in other locations (Boise, ID, Wenatchee, WA) apply AIM sampling to post- wildfire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) monitoring. 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 Field Leads to work with agency staff, GBI staff, and GBI Ecological Field Monitoring Technicians. Each Field Lead will coordinate a field crew (one Lead and two Technicians) to characterize vegetation using the AIM protocol, Describing/Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health (D/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 range management and other resource management issues of the area. During periods of field work, camping will be required. 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: •Regular communication with GBI support staff and agency staff; •Participation in GBI and agency trainings; •Entering data into and managing an Access-based database; •Identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys; •Employing extensive QA/QC data checks; and •Leadership: •Supporting and managing a field crew; •Coordinating field logistics and scheduling; and •Report writing and completing administrative paperwork Locations and Targeted Timelines: Multiple locations, some with potential for an extension. Please indicate your availability and top three location choices 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. •California -Susanville: April 10 – October 13 •Idaho -Shoshone: March 27 – September 8 -Idaho Falls: April 3 – September 8 -Pocatello: April 3 – September 8 •Washington -Spokane: April 3 – October 27 •Wyoming -Pinedale: May-September -Rawlins: May-September Compensation: •$1,360.00 - $1,400.00 Biweekly Salary •Camping per diem •Housing stipend provided in some locations •Paid holidays and personal leave •Paid health insurance (medical, dental and vision) Qualifications: •Leadership experience, including supervising crews and managing projects simultaneously. Technical requirements: •Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, such as: Botany, Wildlife Biology, Range Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Resources or related subject; •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; •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; •Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project summary reports; •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; •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; •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; •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 apply directly using the following link: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-RAP-126 Please indicate your availability and top three location choices when applying. Rolling recruitment is ongoing and will 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.
