Biological Technician (BLM, Applegate Field Office)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • Cedarville, CA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, is recruiting one (1) AmeriCorps member to serve as a Biological Technician for the Applegate Field Office, located in Cedarville, CA. Under the direction of the agency lead, the selected candidate will help in addressing key management tasks related to multiple projects within the Field Office. The primary project focus will be the Greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Tasks completed on this project are providing BLM management with the necessary data to assess whether planned habitat improvement projects can move forward to the implementation phase. The Biological Technician will be exposed to the operations of a federal land management agency charged with a multiple-use and sustainable-yield mission, gain a greater understanding of how policy decisions are formulated, get hands-on experience with natural resource monitoring protocols and field techniques, enhance skills related to data collection and behavioral observations, and actively participate in formal trainings related to first aid, off-highway vehicle operation, and the BLM’s Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Strategy. Upon completion of this position, the Biological Technician will be better prepared to take on additional responsibility in fields related to rangeland management, wildlife biology, or public land management. Applicants seeking to apply for graduate school will have compelling experience and real-world knowledge to apply to their application. Members are required to take a mandatory 30-minute lunch break each service day. This break does not count toward their service hours for the education award.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or coursework and experience in biology (wildlife or conservation), ecology or a related field
• Field experience that included adhering to field data collection protocols and accurately recording field data
• Office experience that included data entry and report writing
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology and plant taxonomy including use of technical keys
• Familiarity with wildlife species in the area; including threatened, endangered, and sensitive species
• Ability to use a GPS unit for navigation and data collection
• 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.
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record
• Ability to safely drive a 4WD vehicle on unpaved roads that can be steep and rutted
• Ability to complete tasks in harsh and rapidly changing environments, in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition
• Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field
• Willingness to serve irregular hours (e.g., pre-sunrise mornings, late nights past midnight)
• Ability to perform tasks productively, consistently and cooperatively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals
• Must be able to pass a DOI Background Investigation

Nice To Haves

• Experience using ArcGIS to create maps, analyze data, and organize layers preferred
• Experience in habitat evaluation and collection of vegetation data preferred
• Experience in conducting avian surveys and nest monitoring preferred, particularly for gallinaceous species
• Experience operating UTV’s preferred (although formal UTV training by the BLM will be provided during first month of term)
• Familiarity with backcountry, low-impact principles preferred

Responsibilities

• Lek counts
• Habitat use research
• Vegetation monitoring (e.g. line point intercept)
• Assisting the BLM Forester with vegetation monitoring using the AIM protocol
• Raptor nest surveys
• Inspecting and completing minor repairs to wildlife fence exclosures
• Assisting with rangeland health surveys
• Installing and monitoring game cameras at wildlife guzzlers
• Archaeological field tasks
• Assisting state biologists and university researchers with various ongoing wildlife related studies

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
• Eligibility for SNAP benefits, Loan Forbearance, and Loan Interest Accrual Repayment
• Non-Competitive Federal Hiring Authority

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees