Wanted: Native Seed Intern for BLM in Elko, NV

http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=3DECOLOG&req=3D2016-ACI-038

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land

Management (BLM), is recruiting one Native Seed Intern to join our

AmeriCorps program to conduct seed collecting and ecological restoration

activities throughout BLM Northern Nevada lands.

Primary Responsibilities:

=E2=80=A2 Scouting and identifying populations of target native plant species

suitable for the program;

=E2=80=A2 Monitoring and maintenance of reciprocal transplant study plots;

=E2=80=A2 GPS mapping populations of plants, disturbance areas, and other features;

=E2=80=A2 Monitoring the phenology of plant populations to identify optimal seed

collection times;

=E2=80=A2 Collecting seed from plant populations and completing data forms in

accordance with the Seeds of Success (SOS) Technical Protocol;

=E2=80=A2 Taking herbarium vouchers, and processing and shipping seed as necessary.

=E2=80=A2 Recording data electronically and on paper data forms, entering and

editing data related to restoration activities;

=E2=80=A2 Participating in restoration projects, including planting native plants,

watering plants, repairing fences, removing non-native plants;

=E2=80=A2 Assisting with the coordination of volunteer seed collection and

restoration events;

=E2=80=A2 Assisting with the coordination of conservation crew work;

=E2=80=A2 Provide support for arid land restoration projects;

=E2=80=A2 Reporting accomplishments and providing recommendations for program

improvements, priorities, and future projects.

Related Responsibilities:

=E2=97=8F Participate in trainings provided by BLM and US Fish & Wildlife staff and

community partners;

=E2=97=8F Meet with Host Site Supervisor on a regular basis;

=E2=97=8F Participate in required national service days; and

=E2=97=8F Participate in regular AmeriCorps team meetings.

Physical Demands:

Field work involves hiking off designated trails or routes, across rugged

terrain, up to 10 miles per day, but more typically 2-4 miles per day.

Weather conditions will vary from cold winds or rain in the early spring to

temperatures over 100F in the summer. The use of global positioning systems

(handheld GPS units), computers, PDAs, digital cameras, and on- and

off-road vehicles are an essential part of the job. Camping under primitive

conditions at remote locations on data collection trips will sometimes be

required. Incumbents must also be willing to spend days at a time working

at a computer during periods of data entry and analysis.

=E2=80=A2 Lift up to 50-70  pounds of material or equipment

=E2=80=A2 Bend, lift, pull, and push

=E2=80=A2 Crouch, stoop, kneel, stand, or bend for long periods of time

=E2=80=A2 Walk for long periods of time on uneven surfaces carrying equipment

=E2=80=A2 Be outside in extreme heat or cold (depending upon the season)

=E2=80=A2 Work 10+ hour days

=E2=80=A2 Travel overnight or up to 8 days at a time for project work

Compensation:

1. Living Allowance stipend=3D*$12,220

2. AmeriCorps Education Award**$2,887.50

3. Medical, dental and vision insurance provided at no cost

* Final living allowance amount and AmeriCorps Education Award value are

determined by the length of the appointment

**AmeriCorps Education Award may be used for past, present or future

education experiences, including payment of qualifying federal student

loans. Loan forbearance and accrued interest payment on qualifying student

loans is also available.

Location:

The intern will be based out of the Elko BLM office. The Bureau of Land

Management (BLM) administers 47.5 million acres of public land in Nevada.

Crews will rove between multiple locations across the Northern BLM

districts of the state. The area is home to historic mining and ranching

that conjure up images of the Wild West. Nevada’s mountain ranges and wide

open valleys are home to wildlife, livestock and wild horses and burros.

Elko, Nevada is one of the most underestimated areas in northern Nevada and

has something for everyone. With a population of about 20,000, Elko has a

lively community with downtown art events supporting local businesses.

Lamoille Canyon Recreation Area is a short 20 miles from town and is the

perfect location for avid hikers, fisherman, backpackers and campers.

Annual cultural events include Cowboy Poetry, Basque Festival, Motorcycle

Jamboree, California Trails Days, Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival, and many

more. The Elko BLM District encompasses 12.3 million acres of high desert.

Timeline:

o April 2017 =E2=80=93October 2017

Qualifications:

=E2=80=A2 Bachelor=E2=80=99s degree with coursework and field experience related to

biology, botany, ecology, plant science, or related field;

=E2=80=A2 Experience identifying plants using taxonomic keys or familiarity with

plants of the Great Basin;

=E2=80=A2 Work independently or in pairs with little supervision and high attention

to detail;

=E2=80=A2 Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work as part of a tight

knit team;

=E2=80=A2 Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for data collection and

navigation;

=E2=80=A2 Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass;

=E2=80=A2 Understanding and/or experience using ArcView GIS software, helpful;

=E2=80=A2 Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing desert

conditions, including extreme temperatures, independently or as part of a

team;

=E2=80=A2 Ability to bend and stoop for long periods of time while collecting seed,

and to use hand tools, and occasionally lift buckets of water and other

heavy loads;

=E2=80=A2 Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 am, to

avoid heat-related issues, or for coordination with team members.

=E2=80=A2 Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a

diverse audience;

=E2=80=A2 Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days;

=E2=80=A2 Valid, state-issued driver=E2=80=99s license and familiarity driving 4WD vehicles

on- and off-road;

=E2=80=A2 Experience operating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) on difficult terrain

helpful; and

=E2=80=A2 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 equivalent of two full-time terms of

service), (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; and

How to Apply:

Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal:

http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=3DNOLS&req=3D2016-ACI-038

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.

These AmeriCorps positions are made possible by a generous grant from the

Nevada Commission for National and Community Service.