Ecological Monitoring Crew Lead (Reno, NV)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE•Reno, NV

4h•$24 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and service through the west. The Institute’s mission is to advance applied science and ecological literacy through community engagement and agency partnerships, supporting national parks, forest, open spaces and public lands. The Ecological Monitoring Program at GBI serves as an excellent professional development opportunity for natural resource professionals looking for experience in botanical, soil, and rangeland surveys. The Ecological Monitoring Program at GBI serves as an excellent professional development opportunity for natural resource professionals looking for experience in botanical, soil, and rangeland surveys. This program focuses on the collection of reliable and consistent quantitative data on the status, condition, and trend of natural resources on public lands. GBI Ecological Monitoring Program partners with the Bureau of Land Management to acquire these data by implementing the Assessment Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) Strategy, a national program that sets rigorous standards for data collection for use across jurisdictions and agencies. Data collected documents changes in resource condition over time and informs decision making at the landscape scale. 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. Extensive training and technical field skills development provides employees a unique opportunity to obtain valuable experience in executing monitoring protocols that will increase their employment success. This video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LciTBPG2-Ss&feature=youtu.be) highlights the national BLM AIM strategy for landscape-scale data capture across western states. Description: GBI is recruiting Ecological Monitoring Vegetation Field Leads to work with GBI and BLM staff. Each Vegetation Field Lead will coordinate a field crew (one Lead will supervise two Technicians) to characterize vegetation using the terrestrial AIM core methods. In some instances, Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF), and/or other supplemental protocols will be performed, for which training will be provided. Aside from core AIM sampling, any supplemental protocols implemented will vary by project. Duties include following established field protocols to perform vegetation sampling and field data collection at new and existing sampling plots. Data will be used by resource specialists and land managers to inform decisions regarding land management at various temporal and spatial scales. During field work, car camping for 7 night “hitches” in remote locations will typically be required. Field work will include: Maintaining safety awareness and practices; Extensive 4x4 driving on unmaintained roads; Navigating off-trail to sampling sites; Establishing sampling plots and transects; Identifying and describing soil horizons to help verify ecological site descriptions (ESDs); Collecting vegetation data (including species inventory, forb diversity, species abundance, sagebrush shape, foliar cover, canopy gap, and herbaceous and woody heights); Taking photo-points. Additional duties include: Regular communication with GBI support staff and agency staff Participation in GBI and agency trainings Entering data into both Field Maps and Survey 123 software Managing ArcGIS Online databases Identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys Employing extensive QA/QC data checks; Leadership: Supporting and managing a field crew Coordinating field logistics and scheduling; Report writing and completing administrative paperwork Projects, Locations and Tentative Timelines: Locations and timelines listed below are tentative, some with potential for extension. Crews will be based out of the or Reno GBI Office but work in the following BLM Field Office (FO’s) areas: California: California Project: Season Length: Approximately 22 weeks, starting in early April Eagle Lake, Applegate, Redding and Arcata Field Offices 3-person soil and vegetation monitoring crews

Requirements

Leadership experience, including supervising field crews and managing projects simultaneously.
Experience, education, or a combination in botany, range management, and or soils to meet one or both of the following: Bachelor’s degree in botany, biology, ecology, or rangeland ecology or other natural resources with coursework in plant or biological sciences or a minimum of 1 years of field data collection identifying plants; AND/OR Bachelor’s degree in plant or soil science or similar with coursework in soils or a minimum of 1 year of field data collection describing soils. Any of the 4 certifications from the Soil Science Society of America may substitute for education or experience.
Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key
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)
Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access)
Experience with Field Maps, Survey 123, and ArcGIS Online
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
Willingness to mentor and foster professional development for members of your crew
Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record
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
Ability to accurately complete administrative tasks on time i.e. timesheet, paperwork, etc
Excellent organizational skills
Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles
Experience in and willingness to spend up to seven consecutive nights camping with no amenities in remote locations
Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights)
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

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the sampling area and associated natural resource issues preferred

Responsibilities

Maintaining safety awareness and practices
Extensive 4x4 driving on unmaintained roads
Navigating off-trail to sampling sites
Establishing sampling plots and transects
Identifying and describing soil horizons to help verify ecological site descriptions (ESDs)
Collecting vegetation data (including species inventory, forb diversity, species abundance, sagebrush shape, foliar cover, canopy gap, and herbaceous and woody heights)
Taking photo-points
Regular communication with GBI support staff and agency staff
Participation in GBI and agency trainings
Entering data into both Field Maps and Survey 123 software
Managing ArcGIS Online databases
Identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys
Employing extensive QA/QC data checks
Supporting and managing a field crew
Coordinating field logistics and scheduling
Report writing and completing administrative paperwork

Benefits

$150.00 bi-weekly housing stipend (Pro-rated if less than 80 hours worked)
$35.00 per diem for every night camped in the field (up to 7 units in an 8 day work week)
$32.30/month cell phone stipen
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance premiums are covered 100% by GBI. Available on the first day of the month following the start of employment.
$25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost
Paid federal holidays
Paid personal time off (amount dependent on contract length)

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