Vegetation Monitoring (AIM) Internships in Northwestern Colorado

Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest Colorado District are hiring several

intern positions through Rocky Mountain Youth Corp for the 2017 Field

Season. These positions will be assisting local land managers with

botanical, soil, and rangeland surveys, surveying invasive plants, projects

relating to fire restoration, and/or monitoring sage grouse habitat. These

positions are a great way to get your foot in the door with federal land

management agencies.

*Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Internship*

We are hiring 1 to 2 more interns to fill our AIM crews in Northwestern

Colorado.  The intern would either be based out of Kremmling or Craig,

Colorado.  The intern will primarily be assisting BLM staff to carry out

the Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) strategy across BLM lands

*Program Overview*:

The Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) program was initiated to

improve the effectiveness of monitoring activities on Bureau of Land

Management (BLM) land. The AIM program provides a standardized process for

the BLM to collect quantitative information on the condition and trend of

natural resources on the nation=E2=80=99s public lands. BLM lands are managed at a

variety of scales, from individual field offices, to district and state

level, as well as the national scale. Standardized AIM protocols allow

monitoring to occur at multiple scales to inform decision making.

AIM protocol requires collecting six terrestrial core indicators in a 60m

wide circular plot. The indicators provide information about terrestrial

ecosystems and include parameters that look at plant species diversity,

abundance using the line point intercept method, gaps between vegetation

and soil structure and stability. These core indicators are collected at

each plot and among several different types of vegetation communities.  For

more information please visit *http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org

<http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org>* or *https://jornada.nmsu.edu/aim

<https://jornada.nmsu.edu/aim>*.

*Employment Details:*

Employment is expected to start May 15 and work into October. It is

necessary for the intern to attend AIM training, at the end of May in Grand

Junction. Crew members are expected to work 40 hours a week (4-10hr days).

Commonly, crews may work more than 40 hours, often working longer days or

an occasional Friday. If extra hours are incurred during the work week,

interns will be able to take time off during or at the end of the field

season. Crews often travel over 2 hours to reach plots and camping may be

necessary to reduce drive time.

*Duties and Responsibilities:*

=E2=97=8F     Attend AIM method training (May, Grand Junction)

=E2=97=8F     Collect vegetation data using Line Point Intercept (LPI) methods

=E2=97=8F     Assist in plant identification at each plot by using dichotomous keys

=E2=97=8F     Press and document unknown plant species to be identified back at the

office

=E2=97=8F     Assist digging holes up to 70 cm deep and record soil characteristics

=E2=97=8F     Measure canopy gap and herbaceous heights at frequent intervals along

a transect

=E2=97=8F     Record quality data and routinely do quality checks

=E2=97=8F     Drive a government 4×4 vehicle on less traveled 2-track roads

=E2=97=8F     Carry a heavy pack over uneven terrain

=E2=97=8F     Orienteering using maps and GPS units

=E2=97=8F     Assist in weekly planning

=E2=97=8F     Sometimes tasks are tedious and having a good work ethic is essential

*Qualifications:*

=E2=97=8F     Must be between  16-30 years old

=E2=97=8F     Experience with plant identification, terminology and using a

dichotomous key is preferred

=E2=97=8F     Ability to conduct physically strenuous field work in rugged terrain

including lifting and carrying loads up to 30lbs

=E2=97=8F     Ability to work well with coworkers

=E2=97=8F     Field work often involves bending over and staying at a plot for up

to 4 hours

=E2=97=8F     Knowledge of GIS and GPS, but not necessary

=E2=97=8F     Valid Driver=E2=80=99s License

=E2=97=8F     Experience operating a 4×4 truck on washed out or loose sandy roads

=E2=97=8F     Work days can be long and tough, enthusiasm is essential

=E2=97=8F     Hike up to 6 miles on uneven terrain

*Applying:*

*Position: *1-2 interns

*To Apply:* Rocky Mountain Youth Corp at

https://www.rockymountainyouthcorps.org/internship-program

                  Send resume, cover letter, & 3 references to Liz Doby  (

lizd@rockymountainyouthcorps.com)

*Compensation:*  $13/hour for 900 hour, possible per diem when camping

*Start Date:  *May 15, 2017

*BLM Contact:  *Amy Birtwistle (abirtwistle@blm.gov)

*BLM Field Offices:*

Kremmling Field Office

2103 E. Park Avenue

Kremmling, CO 80459

Little Snake Field Office

455 Emerson Street

Craig, CO 81625