Ecological Restoration Technician (NPS, Lava Beds National Monument)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • Tulelake, CA

6d • $19 - $19 • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Lava Beds National Monument (LABE), is recruiting two (2) Ecological Restoration Technicians to participate in Burned Area Restoration activities to improve the health of the native sagebrush steppe ecosystem in Lava Beds National Monument, including invasive species monitoring and management, vegetation/ecological monitoring, native plant propagation & nursery maintenance, and native plant seed collection.
This field-based position will assist with ongoing Burned Area Restoration efforts to promote Lava Beds’ native sagebrush steppe plant communities and suppress invasive species following the Caldwell & Antelope wildfires which occurred in 2020 & 2021 respectively. These high-severity fires burned over 95% of Lava Beds NM, denuding large portions of the landscape and resulting in drastic decreases in native plant populations such as Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) shrubs and a large increase in the presence of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), a highly invasive annual grass.
Work for this project contributes to a multi-year restoration plan which includes: invasive plant monitoring and targeted treatment; establishment and monitoring of post-fire revegetation plots; restoration of LABE’s native plant nursery facilities to support staging and salvage operations for native plants; planting and seeding native bunchgrasses, shrubs, annual grasses, and forbs to enhance ecological resiliency; and related field-based vegetation restoration tasks including basic data processing and organization. Work will take place under the supervision of the park’s Ecological Restoration Lead, who will work closely with the selected candidates to advance the monument’s restoration goals.

Requirements

• Enthusiasm for native western ecosystems and/or desire to learn about ecological restoration of semi-arid landscapes
• Ability to operate independently and as part of a team while maintaining a positive, safety-conscious attitude
• Ability and willingness to work in a backcountry setting, including carrying equipment up to 40lb up to several miles on rugged lava rock terrain and working in inclement weather (heat, smoke, etc.)
• 0-1 years' experience conducting biological field work
• 0-1 years' experience in ecological restoration work
• 0-1 years' native plant identification experience
• Ability and willingness to utilize chemical herbicides for invasive species management under the supervision of a certified applicator
• Ability to live & work in a remote setting as a part of a small 2-3 person crew
• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record
• Must meet PLC age requirements and U.S. citizenship requirements
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to Natural Resources such as Biology, Ecological Studies, Environmental Science, Public Lands Management, etc
• 1-2 years' experience in biological field work in a backcountry setting
• Familiarity/experience working in sagebrush steppe environments in the western US
• Working knowledge of plant anatomy, phenology, and common botanical terms
• Knowledge of invasive plant treatments, native seed collection techniques, use of a dichotomous key to identify plants and animals to species level, and common botanical survey techniques
• Familiarity with ESRI GIS suite & Microsoft Office suite for data collection & management, report writing, and professional communication.

Responsibilities

• Assist with invasive plant management in burned areas, including manual removal and targeted chemical treatments under the direction of the Restoration Lead
• Plant and/or seed native annual and perennial plant species to restore burned areas
• Collect post-fire revegetation survey plot data including species diversity, percent cover, and other indicators of ecological health following established SOP, using mobile devices and/or paper datasheets
• Assist with native plant seed collection and processing for use in revegetation efforts
• Contribute to the renovation, maintenance, and operation of the park’s native plant nursery
• Collect, enter, and validate spatial and tabular data related to native plant restoration efforts using platforms including ArcGIS Pro, Survey123, Field Maps, and Microsoft Office suite.

Benefits

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost
• Personal leave and holidays
• Access to Pro Deals

What This Job Offers

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