LAND HEALTH ASSESSMENT FIELD TECHNICIAN- Northern Nevada
Organization: Great Basin institute/Nevada Conservation Corps
Position Title: Land Health Assessment field Technician
Location: Northern Nevada
Hours & Compensation: $12,800 Living Allowance, $2,775 AmeriCorps Education Award
Application Deadline: Feb 10, 2014
Description:
The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, is recruiting 10 field technicians for land health assessment teams. Each team will consist of three members, a crew lead and two technicians, and will comprise environmental scientists (ecologists) having diverse training and expertise to work cooperatively in a field-based setting. The overall objective of the team is to perform land health assessments through inventory and monitoring of geomorphic, vegetative and hydrologic characteristics of the landscape. Data are utilized for adaptive management decisions, restoration projects, and/or to improve wildlife habitat to achieve a healthy and productive ecological condition.
Duties:
General field duties include walking long distances over uneven terrain while carry equipment. Overnight camping will be required. Field Technicians will collect GPS and photo points, identify soil characteristics, and vegetative demographics and distribution. Office tasks may include assisting with data organization, plant identification, data processing and QA/QC; post-processing GPS points; and contributing to report writing. Training will be provided.
Field Course: Participate in a field-based environmental methods and field protocols training and additional BLM trainings.
Compensation:
• $12,800 Living Allowance
• $2,775 AmeriCorps Education Award
• Student loan forbearance
• Daily field per diem
Contract length: March 24, 2014– September 18, 2014 (26 weeks)
Location: These positions will be based out of five Nevada BLM district office locations: Ely, Winnemucca, Carson City, Battle Mountain and Elko. Terrain is typical of the Great Basin Desert, with wide long valleys bordered by mountain ranges. Field conditions include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun, and potentially cold, damp winter-like weather. Resources include greater sage-grouse habitat, big game habitat, Wilderness Study Areas, active grazing allotments, abandoned mine lands, historic and prehistoric cultural sites, and wild horse management areas.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in one of the major natural sciences; applicants with a background in soils or botany preferred;
• Understanding of basic principles related to field science and data collection;
• Ability to utilize dichotomous keys for plant identification, knowledge and/or field experience of plant ecology in the Great Basin Desert region.
• Familiarity in describing and sampling soils, experience in soil texturing, identifying soil horizons, and soil properties;
• Ability to navigate and set a bearing using a compass and to read a topographical map;
• Ability to collect data using handheld GPS units, preferred;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Willingness to work collaboratively in a team setting;
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry personal and field equipment, and withstand working and backcountry camping in an arid, desert environment;
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license and the ability to operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; and
• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards), and (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) and federal criminal background checks.
How to Apply:
Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Genevieve Parker, Human Resources Coordinator, at[email protected]. Please include how you heard about this position. Upon receipt, a representative from the NCC program will contact you for the next steps in the application process. All questions related to the interview and selection process may be sent to Genevieve. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled; to be considered for the first round of interviews, apply by February 10, 2014.
This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. This position will not have recurring access to vulnerable populations defined as children 17 and under, adults 60 or older, or individuals with disabilities.
This position does not duplicate work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of workers, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in work force, or an employee who is on leave.
