Rangeland & Drought Monitoring Technician

Impacts from a changing climate are being realized in a variety of ways, including prolonged and intensified drought conditions. The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, is recruiting two (2) Rangeland Monitoring Technicians to implement a variety of upland monitoring protocols across public lands in support of drought management decisions and/or rangeland health evaluations. Working with existing GBI staff, and will support the Tonopah Field Offices.

General duties include working cooperatively with BLM Rangeland Management Specialists as part of an upland rangeland monitoring team utilizing various field data collection methodologies to determine current upland range condition. Drought monitoring will be conducted to identify affected resources and monitor the condition of forage resources and level of use by livestock within allotments, wild horses and burros within Herd Management Areas, and within greater sage-grouse preliminary priority habitat. Monitoring data may also be collected to determine the effectiveness of emergency stabilization and rehabilitation (ESR) treatments after wildfires.

The Technicians will be responsible for providing written documentation of data collection (survey forms) and organizing photographic and GPS/GIS documentation of survey areas. Based on collected data, conclusions and recommendations can be made in support of evaluating upland range and vegetative conditions in order to maintain, restore, and/or improve upland resource values to achieve a healthy and productive ecological condition. GBI is seeking Research Associates that possess the following qualifications to perform the duties described:

1. Plant Identification – plant and plant community identification, including upland range plant taxonomy and ecology common throughout the Great Basin. Responsible for the identification of individual plants, describing existing and potential plant communities using soil survey information, interpreting vegetation, and successional sequences.
2. Upland Monitoring Studies – utilize plant and soil identification skills to conduct upland range monitoring studies under established BLM protocols. Monitoring consists of double-weight sampling, ecological site inventory, utilization, use pattern mapping, cover, line-point intercept, gap-intercept, and density techniques. Duties may also consist of conducting livestock compliance checks, which provide information on livestock placement and movement as it relates to annual authorized use.
3. Soil Identification – exposure to identification of soils, use of soil surveys, determine soils grouped into the site, identify landscape and soil factors, and determine existing or potential erosional factors. This information is utilized to aid in determining site potential and evaluation of current conditions.

Location:Tonopah, NV is located roughly half way between Reno and Las Vegas, NV along Interstate 95. Economic drivers in the Tonopah, NV and surrounding area (pop. ~2,600/~6,000 ft. elevation) include mining and renewable energy. The Tonopah Field Office manages 6 million acres of public land and has two distinct ecotypes Mojave desert and Mojave/Great Basin transition zone.

Compensation & Timeline:

• Rate of Pay: $16.00/hour
• Medical benefits (health and dental)
• Timeline: appointment to begin May 18, 2015 (or upon availability) and continue through mid-November; potential for extension pending funding and a favorable performance review
• Full-time position (40 hours/week) with occasional overtime

Qualifications:

• Applicants should have a combination of educational and field experience related to the position of interest, and an understanding of basic principles related to the fields of botany and/or soil science;
• Knowledge of Great Basin ecology, preferable;
• Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units, required;
• Experience working with ArcGIS, desirable;
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
• Proficient in the use of a compass and ability to read a topographical map;
• Effectively communicate, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; and
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry personal and field equipment, and withstand the rigors of the Great Basin in the spring, summer and fall.
• Successful applicant(s) must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to BLM human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position.

How to Apply:

Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter (including where you found this position posted), their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Amy Gladding, GBI HR Coordinator, at agladding@thegreatbasininstitute.org. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries, please.

We conform 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.