Natural Resource Lead Technician

The Great Basin Institute is hiring a Natural Resource Lead Technician to work at Camas National Wildlife Refuge in Hamer, ID. This AmeriCorps position involves leading conservation projects focused on pollinator restoration, invasive species management, and resource monitoring. Key responsibilities include conducting surveys, managing invasive weeds, and guiding a team of AmeriCorps members. The role requires effective communication and adherence to safety protocols.
Description

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is recruiting (1) AmeriCorps member to serve as the Natural Resource Lead Technician at Camas National Wildlife Refuge in Southeast Idaho. The Natural Resource Lead will serve closely with the USFWS Biologists to implement a wide variety of projects that aim to maintain and enhance the quality of the National Wildlife Refuge Complex located within Southeast Idaho.

The primary focus of this position will be to assist in leading a cohort of AmeriCorps members in restoration/conservation efforts through the following projects: baseline pollinator inventories, experimental wet meadow restoration in support of pollinator populations, and continuing implementation of new invasive species management programs. These pollinator-centric practices represent some of the first stages of pollinator focused monitoring and restoration at National Wildlife Refuges in this region and will set the stage for critical work in this field. They are one aspect of a larger invasive species management strategy that emphasizes habitat restoration and quantitative methods of evaluation. Additionally, technicians will participate in other aspects of the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex biology program.

Service duties may include any or all of, but are not limited to, the following:

Primary duties:
• Assisting with riparian, wetland and/or vegetation monitoring and inventorying to assess resource status;
• Implementing assessments using established, as well as emerging tools (e.g. monitoring protocols) to conduct accurate field measurements;
• Conducting plant surveys and mapping efforts in order to refine population boundaries for species of management concern;
• Monitoring, inventorying, and treating (by hand, mechanically, and/or chemically) noxious and invasive weeds;
• Participating in restoration efforts (e.g. fence repair, native species plantings, cattle guard maintenance, trailhead maintenance, etc.);
• Lead young adults on a variety of challenging conservation projects;
• Ensure all safety protocols are followed;
• Maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times and be able to boost crew morale;
• Teach, instruct and support members in assigned tasks;
• Communicating effectively with crew members, GBI staff and agency project staff;
• Maintaining, updating and refining program database and documents, and responding to data calls and informational research tasks;
• Safely operating an ATV, UTV, and/or large 4WD spray rig (truck) while traveling on remote 4WD roads;
• Inventory distribution of and collect seed from native flowering plants of value to pollinator species;
• Baseline invasive plant inventory;
• Document phenology of native flowering plants;
• Baseline pollinator species richness and diversity surveys; and
• Adhere to and enforce all AmeriCorps, GBI, and USFWS policies.

Secondary duties may include:
• Monitor hydrology, riparian and wetland vegetation, and wildlife response to wetland restoration;
• Long-term vegetation monitoring;
• Pollinator garden maintenance and enhancement;
• Chemical control of noxious weeds;
• Invasive weed treatment efficacy monitoring;
• Early detection of & rapid response (EDRR) for rush skeletonweed and white bryony;
• Russian olive removal and riparian habitat restoration;
• Monitoring of and/or surveillance for invasive submerged aquatic vegetation (Eurasian watermilfoil, Curly leaf Pondweed);
• Shelterbelt and riparian habitat restoration and monitoring;
• Banding of various avian species including waterfowl & songbirds;
• Acoustic monitoring and potential captures of bat species;
• Vegetation and wildlife surveys tracking abundance and trends of species on the refuge.

Qualifications

Required:

(This AmeriCorps position is open to US Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents age 18 or older)
• Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Natural Resource Management, or other related field, or combination of related coursework in and direct experience and knowledge of ecology;
• Knowledge of seed collection techniques;
• Demonstrated organizational and leadership skills;
• Knowledge and interest in botany and plant identification;
• Ability to identify plants down to the species level using appropriate botany manuals and keys;
• Prior experience with invasive plant management preferred;
• Willingness to utilize chemical herbicide treatment methods;
• Experience utilizing hand-held GPS units and/or PDRs for navigation and/or data collections, along with basic computer skills;
• Ability to carry backpack sprayer or up to 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition;
• Experience operating 4WD trucks on and off-road, including mountain forest roads;
• Knowledge and experience in operating off highway vehicles, which includes Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), desirable;
• Experience with towing and backing-up a trailer, desirable; and
• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record.

Additional requirements:
• Ability to self-direct and self-motivate;
• Possess good organizational skills;
• Tolerant of working in variable weather conditions, willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, and able to hike 2-5+ miles daily on uneven terrain;
• Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and follow safe working practices;
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, GBI and agency staff, and a diverse public;
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging, bending over, hauling material, hiking);
• Must pass US Fish and Wildlife Service UTV/ATV training; and
• AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Compensation and Benefits:

Living Allowance: $450.00 weekly before taxes;

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (1200 hr term): $5,176.50 upon successful completion of term;

Benefits:
• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing:
• Will be provided at no additional costs.