Description: Participants will manage all aspects of vegetation monitoring using the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Assessment, Inventory, & Monitoring (AIM) methodology. More information on the BLM’s AIM strategy can be found on the AIM website: http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/. Crews will consist of three individuals, two crew members and one crew lead. Together, they will monitor land health on BLM lands including National Monument lands, vegetation treatments, rangeland allotments, or reference areas using AIM methodology.
Within all plots, vegetation will be identified to species; line-point intercept will be used to gather species cover and composition data; canopy gap and vegetation height will be measured; soil stability will be measured; and soil pit descriptions will be completed. All data will be georeferenced using a GPS unit and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase. Data are entered into the Database for Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment (DIMA) on-site with ruggedized tablets and are further analyzed and synthesized into various reports for future land management planning. The crew may also have the opportunity to assist with other public land management projects involving wildlife, range and forestry.
Duties: Provides expertise on soils and soils-forming mechanisms that occur on and near plot to help characterize the site. The soils crew member will complete the soil stability protocol and the soil pit characterization the majority of the time. Works closely with the crew lead to discuss and come to consensus of which ecological site or soil series the plot falls on. Maintains specimens and records of unique soils throughout the field office to develop and maintain a unique soil library for the field office. Provides guidance on soil texturing techniques to the crew lead and fellow botany crew member. Assists the crew with vegetation monitoring.
Qualifications:
- College Graduate (Bachelor’s, at minimum) with degree in ecology, soil science, agriculture, range, natural resource management, or a related field.
- Eligible to accept a 900-hour service term with Americorps
- Aged between 21 and 30 (civilian) or 35 (veteran) years upon hire
- With U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence and associated identification, including an image of a signed social security card AND another acceptable primary form of documentation
- Ability to produce identification as stipulated by I-9 upon hire
- Image of signed, original social security card
- Valid US driver's license and insurable driving record
- Ability to pass Conservation Legacy’s background checks
- Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Suite software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
- Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period. The applicant must be able to maneuver and operate in a mixture of office and fieldwork.
- Physically capable of standing and walking (at a minimum 6 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds, in upwards of 100 degree (F) heat while maintaining a cheery to neutral attitude.
- Experience and willingness to spending multiple days (1-6 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas; familiarity or willingness to learn and adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles
- Willingness to spend several hours per day and/or per week riding in, navigating, and driving a work vehicle on- and off-highway.
- Ability to work in and respond to adverse weather conditions including extreme heat, monsoonal rains, and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions)
- Current or ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and Defensive Driver Training certificates
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