Ecological Monitoring Lead (multiple locations)
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, forests, 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, rangeland, and aquatic surveying. This Program is a component of our well-established Research Associate Program, which focuses on the conservation and management of natural, cultural, and recreation resources in the Intermountain West while providing emerging professionals opportunities to begin or enhance their careers.
GBI’s Ecological Monitoring Program is dedicated to providing hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience. Extensive training and technical field skills development offers employees a unique opportunity to obtain valuable experience in performing a variety of monitoring protocols that will increase future success.
In one component of the Program, participants implement the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy for terrestrial systems, targeted at collecting standardized ecological information and long-term vegetation data at multiple scales across western BLM districts. In some instances participants may perform supplemental protocols such as Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health (IIRH) and Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF) (to inform conservation approaches for sage-grouse). Supplemental sampling may also include collecting data on forb diversity and pollinators, among other indicators. Select locations will apply AIM sampling to post-wildfire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) monitoring.
This video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LciTBPG2-Ss&feature=youtu.be) highlights the national BLM AIM strategy for landscape-scale data collection across western states.
Description:
GBI is recruiting Ecological Monitoring Field Leads to work with GBI and BLM staff. Each Field Lead will coordinate a field crew (one Lead will supervise two Technicians) to characterize vegetation using the terrestrial AIM protocols. In some instances, Describing/Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health (D/IIRH), Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF), and/or Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) protocols will be performed, for which training will be provided. Aside from core AIM sampling, any supplemental protocols implemented will vary by location.
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.
Dependent on performance and completion of work term this position qualifies for Public Lands Corps (PLC) status given that the applicant is 30 years old or younger at the time of GBI application of employment. This status will last two years.
Field work will include:
- Maintaining safety awareness and practices;
- Navigating off-trail to sampling sites;
- Establishing sampling plots and transects;
- Identifying and describing soil horizons;
- Verifying Ecological Sites;
- Collecting vegetation data (including species inventory, forb frequency, sagebrush shape, foliar cover, canopy gap, and herbaceous and woody heights);
- Making qualitative range assessments; and
- Taking photo-points.
Additional duties include:
- Regular communication with GBI support staff and BLM staff;
- Participation in GBI and agency trainings;
- Entering information into and managing an Access and/or Survey 123 database;
- Identifying plants to species or sub-species using dichotomous keys; and
- Employing extensive quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) data checks.
Crew Lead duties:
- Supporting and managing a field crew;
- Coordinating field logistics and scheduling; and
- Report writing and completing administrative paperwork.
Locations:
Utah
- Based out of Salt Lake City, Moab, or Las Vegas and starting 04/06/2020
- One long season crew will be working out of Las Vegas, Nevada starting 02/18/2020- 10/31/2020
Nevada
- Based out of Reno, Nevada starting 04/20/2020
- Based out of Las Vegas, Nevada starting 02/18/2020
California
- Working in Bishop, based out of Reno, Nevada starting 03/30/2020
- Working in Ukiah, based out of Reno, Nevada starting 03/30/2020
Compensation:
Approximately $1631/biweekly before taxes
Salary of $1360/biweekly
$15.00 per diem for every 7 nights in an 8 day work week
$16.15/biweekly cell phone stipend
$150/biweekly housing stipend
*Housing stipend is untaxed and can be used at discretion of applicant. Housing is not provided. Applicant must be able to provide own lodging.*
General and educational requirements:
- Crew Leads should have education and experience in plant identification and/or soil characterization, as well as leadership experience, including supervising field crews and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Bachelor’s degree in botany, biology, ecology, or rangeland ecology, or other natural resources field, with at least 9 semester hours in plant or biological sciences, or a minimum of 1 year of field data collection and plant identification;
AND/OR
- Bachelor’s degree in plant biology or soil science or similar with at least 9 semester hours in soils or a minimum of 1 year field data collection describing soils. Any of the four certifications from the Soil Science Society of America may substitute for education or experience.
Technical requirements:
- Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key;
- Experience describing and identifying soil horizons (familiarity with NRCS soil databases and Ecological Site Description concepts preferred);
- 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 navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units;
- Experience creating maps and performing basic functions with GIS software (ArcMap); and
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access).
- Willingness to safely operate a 4WD truck on paved and unpaved surfaces, often in remote areas with unpredictable road conditions;
- Willingness to safely operate a UTV in remote areas;
- Ability to live, work, and supervise crews in remote locations for prolonged periods of time;
- Ability to maintain a positive working environment during difficult working conditions.
Additional requirements:
- Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting, and to consistently meet high performance standards. This includes maintaining a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of the AIM program and the mission of GBI;
- Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;
- Ability to complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) and submit paperwork prior to employment indicating that an active or fully adjudicated BI has been started or completed;
- Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the sampling area and associated natural resource issues preferred;
- 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;
- Excellent organizational skills;
- Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles;
- Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field;
- Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights); and
- Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments and all types of weather, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition.
- Provide personal camping equipment, backpack, field clothes and hiking boots.