Monthly Pooled - WCC AmeriCorps Individual Placement - Habitat Biologist Technician with Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Bighorn National Forest

University of Wyoming•Laramie, WY

24d•Onsite

About The Position

The Wyoming Conservation Corps (WCC) is seeking applicants to fill two (2) WCC AmeriCorps Individual Placement positions with our partner organizations. The position has a 450-hour term of service beginning May 18 and ending August 24. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the Bighorn National Forest, is currently working on multiple large scale, multi-watershed riparian and aspen enhancement projects for the benefit of wildlife habitat, forest diversity, and wildfire management. Aspen forests and riparian habitat are high priority habitats for wildlife, as well as providing valuable fuel breaks and refugia in the event of wildfire. Due to recent initiation of multiple watershed restoration projects in the Powder River and Tongue Ranger Districts, an opportunity has arisen to develop multiple different aspen and riparian enhancement projects. This position will be responsible for mapping aspen and willow habitat enhancement units and conducting pre and post habitat enhancement monitoring. Also, the selected candidates will have the opportunity to work alongside other land management specialists in developing post-fire projects for watershed enhancement. We are seeking two technicians. The selected technicians will work as a pair throughout the summer. The weekly schedule will be determined with the supervisor at the Bighorn National Forest. Sites are remote and long days may be required. Housing will be provided, likely in a bunkhouse or shared living space.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
18 years of age
Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria
Valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the Driving for University Business SAP and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle.
Ability and willingness to hike extensive distances (3-10 miles/day) during diverse weather conditions and be able to safely operate 4-wheel drive vehicle and ATV on narrow mountain roads.
The candidate may be required to work alone or in a small team in a backcountry setting.
Outdoor survival skills and navigation are required.
The candidate will be required to navigate independently with a map in remote locations.
Use of GPS units and basic tablets/smartphones will be required.

Nice To Haves

Enthusiasm for working outdoors
Desire to work with threatened or endangered species
Interest in amphibian conservation
Ability to interact well with other crew members
Work independently with limited supervision.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrate knowledge and willingness to learn about the area ecosystems
Demonstrate maturity and good judgment

Responsibilities

Utilize existing digital land cover resources, GIS data, and habitat enhancement data from various sources to develop aspen and riparian enhancement projects.
Project specifics could include developing conifer removal and prescribed fire units focused on aspen and riparian habitat enhancement.
Utilize tablets, smartphones, and GPS units to map habitat enhancement units.
Field evaluation of habitat enhancement units will be required to determine the appropriate treatment to produce the desired habitat objectives.
Newly proposed habitat treatment units will require delineation of treatment boundaries, acreage calculations, and current density and size of encroaching conifers to inform forestry thinning contract specifications.
Conduct fine scale pre/post treatment habitat enhancement monitoring on select sites to evaluate habitat enhancement treatment success associated with fire and/or mechanical habitat treatment prescriptions.
Monitoring will also entail assessing current browse pressure on willow and aspen habitats.
Monitoring will require data collection following developed protocol.
Function independently in the field or as a team member with United States Forest Service personnel working collectively on habitat related projects.
Compile habitat mapping and monitoring data in an organized and comprehensible manner so that data collected can be used for the future development of habitat projects and monitoring.