In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the Great Basin Institute is recruiting a Botany Field Technician to join our AmeriCorps program. The Technician will work cooperatively as part of a team to support a variety of botany, restoration, and avian biology projects. Project work will occur primarily on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA). The Technicians will work on a number of projects, including surveys for plant and animal species of interest to determine presence and minimize impacts to these species. Primary foci for surveys will include rare plants and butterfly habitat. Restoration and enhancement activities may include: identification and documentation of disturbed locations in sensitive habitats; collecting seed of local genotypes of native plant species; closure of unauthorized motorized routes and recreation concentrated use areas; monitoring of past restoration projects and recommendations for sites not progressing as anticipated; burned area rehabilitation; and riparian and spring restoration.
Collectively, the team is responsible for data collection, entry and analysis; report writing; project planning and mapping; and other tasks assigned by SMNRA resource biologists. Opportunities to participate in training (e.g. GIS, Wilderness 1st Aid) during the season may be available.
Compensation & Timeline:
o 24-week appointment (April 17 – September 29, 2017)
o $9,000.00 Living Allowance
o $2,887.50 Education Award*
o 3 Holidays (Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day)
o Student loan forbearance*
o $15 field per diem
o $75 weekly Housing Stipend
*Please indicate in your application or cover letter for which appointment term you are applying.
Location:
The base of operations for this opportunity is north and west of Las Vegas, NV on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (Clark and Nye Counties, Nevada). Successful applicants will experience a tremendous diversity of habitat types from the Mojave Desert habitat surrounding the SMNRA. Many developed and undeveloped recreational opportunities are available in the region ranging from rock climbing and bouldering, to mountain biking, hiking, and fishing.
Qualifications:
Technical requirements:
o Coursework in or knowledge of plant taxonomy and ecology, including use of technical botanical keys (dichotomous plant key without pictures);
o Familiarity with plants of the area, including rare, sensitive, threatened and endangered, preferable;
o Experience conducting botanical field work including:
o plant surveys using various protocols,
o monitoring protocols such as repeat photography, and transect and quadrat systematic sampling, and
o familiarity with restoration implementation and monitoring techniques (e.g., seed collection, hand tool use);
o Experiencing collecting, preserving and mounting herbarium samples;
o Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and data collection;
o Knowledge of GIS software (highly desirable but not required); and
o Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project/grant reports.
Additional requirements:
o Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging, bending over, hauling material, hiking);
o Ability to complete a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to US Forest Service indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has been completed prior to beginning the position.
o 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;
o Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field;
o Willingness to sometimes work irregular hours (e.g. pre-sunrise mornings, late nights past midnight);
o Ability to work productively both independently and as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals;
o Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public;
o Good organizational skills;
o Valid, state-issued driver’s license; clean driving record; and ability to safely operate a 4WD truck on paved and unpaved roads, including narrow, mountain forest roads; and
o 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), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
How to Apply:
Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ASHS&req=2017-ACI-010
The Great Basin Institute conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.
This AmeriCorps positions is made possible by a generous grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service.