AIM Vegetation/Soils Monitoring Technician
The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition (ENLC) is currently seeking AIM monitoring technicians for our upcoming 2020 field season.
Located in Ely, Nevada, the ENLC is a non-profit conservation organization comprised of public, private, and non-profit partners dedicated to the restoration of Western ecosystems through collaborative teamwork. The ENLC conducts a variety of vegetation/wildlife monitoring projects throughout Nevada and surrounding states.
We are requesting applications for a minimum of two to four (2-4) AIM vegetation/soils monitoring technicians to work out of the BLM District Office in Elko, Nevada.
Location
Elko is in the remote, northeastern corner of Nevada. The area has a unique blend of Northern Basin and Range and sagebrush steppe attributes including beautiful expanses of sagebrush flats and many mountain ranges available for exploring and recreational activities. The rugged Ruby Mountains lie 20 miles to the southeast of Elko and offer unique hiking, backpacking, climbing, fishing and camping experiences. The city of Elko has a lively downtown area and hosts cultural events throughout the summer including the International Basque festival, rodeos and the Ruby Mountain Relay.
AIM Vegetation Technician Description
Field technicians’ primary responsibility will be to collect post-fire vegetation and soils data in burned areas on public lands managed by the BLM. Data collected will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of post wildfire rehabilitation treatments. Technicians will be responsible for driving and hiking to sampling locations while following rigorous sampling protocols for data collection and data quality control.
Field work will involve driving on and navigating backcountry dirt roads, hiking and navigating potentially long distances off trail, establishing and monitoring plots using the BLM’s Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy, all while camping in the backcountry for 4-8 days at a time, sometimes in adverse weather conditions.
Other duties include data entry using the Database for Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment (DIMA), collecting herbarium quality plant specimens, identifying plants to species in both a field and office setting, operating 4WD vehicles, communicating effectively in a small crew setting, and operating safely in sometimes harsh and stressful field conditions.
Timeline and Schedule
Positions will begin in early May and continue through September as needed. Work will occur on an 8-days-on/6-days-off schedule (10 hour days). Crews will be camping for most of those 8 days.
Compensation
Technicians will receive $15-16/hour depending on experience, plus a $34/day meal per diem when camping in the field.
Education and Experience
Applicants should have graduated from a program in biological sciences, botany, ecology, natural resources or a related field. The ideal applicant will have experience in plant identification and a general knowledge of plant taxonomy. Current students with sufficient knowledge and experience will be considered.
Applicants should be able to hike 2-7 miles a day while carrying a pack with field equipment and be comfortable with truck camping in the backcountry for up to 8 days at a time in sometimes harsh weather conditions. Preferred applicants will be experienced with 4WD vehicles, GPS navigation, have had a clean driving record for the past 3 years, and are passionate about the outdoors.
For more information, please visit our website (http://www.envlc.org) or email any questions to Patrick Hellmann at phellmann@envlc.org.