AmeriCorps Biological Technician (USFWS, Southeast Idaho Refuge Complex)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE•Rupert, ID

About The Position

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is recruiting up to one (1) AmeriCorps member to serve as a Biological Technician. The Biological Technician will serve closely with the USFWS Biologists to implement a wide variety of projects that aim to maintain and enhance the quality of the National Wildlife Refuge Complex located within Southeast Idaho. The primary focus of these positions will be conducting baseline pollinator inventories, experimental wet meadow restoration in support of pollinator populations, and continuing implementation of new invasive species management programs. These pollinator-centric practices represent some of the first stages of pollinator focused monitoring and restoration at National Wildlife Refuges in this region and will set the stage for critical work in this field. They are one aspect of a larger invasive species management strategy that emphasizes habitat restoration and quantitative methods of evaluation. Additionally, technicians will participate in other aspects of the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex biology program. Through these projects, the technician will gain a broad understanding of the habitat management and wildlife issues facing the Intermountain West, spanning various habitats including shrub-steppe, grassland, wetland, and riparian. The technician will be exposed to various elements of pollinator ecology, habitat restoration processes, and best conservation and management practices. The technician will also assist in other biological monitoring projects such as avian and mammal surveys, bird banding, bat acoustic monitoring, and various vegetation surveys. The technician will be provided with first aid, ATV/UTV, and plant and animal identification training. The technician will be stationed off-site but near Minidoka NWR in their own trailer, however, there will be opportunities to travel throughout the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex and assist in various activities.

Requirements

Knowledge and interest in botany and plant identification
Prior experience with invasive plant management preferred
Willingness to utilize chemical herbicide treatment methods
Experience utilizing hand-held GPS units and/or PDRs for navigation and/or data collections, along with basic computer skills
Ability to carry backpack sprayer or up to 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition
Experience operating 4WD trucks on and off-road
Knowledge and experience in operating off highway vehicles, which includes Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), desirable
Experience with towing and backing-up a trailer, desirable
Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record
Ability to self-direct and self-motivate
Possess good organizational skills
Tolerant of working in variable weather conditions, willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, and able to hike 2-5+ miles daily on uneven terrain
Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and follow safe working practices
Ability to communicate effectively with team members, GBI and agency staff, and a diverse public
Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging, bending over, hauling material, hiking)
Must pass US Fish and Wildlife Service UTV/ATV training
AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Responsibilities

Conducting pollinator (butterfly and bumble bee) surveys in wet meadows to determine species richness and diversity
Documenting phenology of native flowering plants used and available to pollinators in wet meadows
Seeding, growing, watering and planting of native grasses, forbs and shrubs in our greenhouse for habitat restoration in recently burned areas, wet meadows and riparian areas
Treating by hand, mechanically, and chemically invasive plants on foot and vehicle
Conducting vegetation surveys in recently burned areas using LPI methods
Conducting boat surveys on the Snake River for species counts of Western and Clark’s grebes
Conducting Yellow-billed cuckoo presence surveys on and off the refuge
Safely operating an ATV, UTV, and/or 4WD truck and trailer while traveling on paved, remote 4WD roads and off road
Accurately recording, entering and QA/QC-ing data collected for various projects on the refuge
Trapping and banding of various avian species to include various duck species and Western and Clark’s grebes
Conducting surveys for waterbirds on the Snake River and impoundments
Conducting elk and deer, and St. Anthony Dune Tiger Beetle surveys on the refuge
Acoustic monitoring and potential captures of bat species
Conducting submerged aquatic vegetation surveys on the Snake River and impoundments
Maintaining the quality of the refuge (e.g. fence repair, replacement of boundary signs)
Collection of native seed from the refuge for habitat restoration projects
Helping other refuges in the Southeast Idaho NWR complex with projects as needed
Partaking in educational events on and off the refuge

Benefits

Living Allowance: $325.00 weekly before taxes
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award : $3,697.50 upon successful completion of term
Benefits: Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance
$25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost
Access to Pro Deals
Housing: Will be provided for selected participants at no additional costs
Segal Education Award: After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Award varies based on term of service. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.
Student Loan Forbearance: If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.
Interest Accrual Repayment: As an AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility: AmeriCorps Volunteers are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).