Conservation Corps New Mexico is hiring two botany crew members to monitor rare plants on BLM lands across the state of New Mexico. Applicants should be passionate about botany and field work.
Apply via Conservation Legacy using the following link: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsccorps-openhire.silkroad.com%2Fepostings%2Findex.cfm%3Ffuseaction%3Dapp.jobinfo%26jobid%3D2011%26source%3DONLINE%26JobOwner%3D992369%26company_id%3D16984%26version%3D1%26byBusinessUnit%3DNULL%26bycountry%3D0%26bystate%3D0%26byRegion%3DNULL%26bylocation%3DNULL%26keywords%3D%26byCat%3DNULL%26proximityCountry%3D%26postalCode%3D%26radiusDistance%3D%26isKilometers%3D%26tosearch%3Dyes%26city&data=02%7C01%7Cmadeline.hennessey%40uconn.edu%7Cb5ee64c64a7a4f6ad9ee08d7aa24a65c%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637164946707283369&sdata=UvqkuZFjXaJhYcwC4thoXp6ptebqtzltWI696dzrTpQ%3D&reserved=0=
Job Description
Position Title: Rare Plant Crew Member (Botany Emphasis)
Position Type: Full-time, temporary, 23-28 weeks
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Salary: $500/week
Benefits: Paid training; Food budget while in the field; AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon satisfactory completion of term; Employee Assistance Program.
Hiring Benefits: Pubic Land Corps hiring authority: eligible to use, for two years upon completion of term, a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions for a federal agency.
Program Dates: April 2020 – (range) September 18, 2020 – October 23, 2020
*Application must include Resume and Cover Letter to be considered*
Botany Crew Member’s Responsibilities
Two crew members will participate in the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s Rare Plant Monitoring Team by monitoring existing plots and establishing new long term demographic trend monitoring plots for imperiled plant species. Demonstrates strong botanical, statistical, and organizational skills, and maintains exceptional attention to detail in relation to monitoring efforts and data management. Effectively coordinates with the crew lead and supervisor to complete tasks properly. Exhibits familiarity and comfort with hiking and camping in rugged conditions, as well as perseverance in extreme weather conditions. Demonstrates passion for botany and eagerness to learn the local flora from the crew lead and local resources to build botanical knowledge throughout the position. Note: This position monitors species across the state. Crew members should be comfortable driving for as much as 75% of a work day.
Minimal Qualifications:
College Graduate (Bachelor’s, at minimum) with degree in ecology, botany, plant ecology, plant biology, plant systematics, conservation biology, natural resource management, or a related field
Eligible to accept a 900-hour service term with Americorps
Aged between 21 and 30 years upon hire
With U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence and associated identification, including, but not limited to:
A signed social security card
A Birth Certificate & government issued photo ID – OR – a valid US Passport.
Ability to produce identification as stipulated by I-9 upon hire
Valid US driver’s license and driving record in good standing
All offers are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal Criminal History Check
Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Suite Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after initial training period; must be capable of performing well in an office setting, as well as the field
Physically capable of standing and walking (approximately 2 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 spend 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
Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads and driving for extended periods of time (2-3 hours at a time)
Ability to work in and respond to adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and sun exposure, monsoonal rains, flash flooding, lightning, and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions, bears)
Current or ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and Defensive Driver Training certificates
Preferred Qualifications:
At least 1 to 2 years of experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens
Familiarity with New Mexico flora in general and Flora Neomexicana III is preferred
Experience with Floras from adjacent states to New Mexico
Experience working in regions with high floristic diversity
Experience working as part of a small team and able to work well with others
Excellent communication, organizational, and planning skills.
Experience with ArcGIS tablet applications and basic troubleshooting (Collector and Survey 123)
Experience with ArcGIS Online interface.
Knowledge of downloading, using, and syncing ArcGIS Online Maps
Experience collecting, managing and summarizing data for plant and/or animal monitoring programs.
Experience performing quality assurance, quality control, and data analysis using Microsoft Excel and R.
Program Overview:
Crew members will work with a crew lead for the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Rare Plant Monitoring Initiative, operated by Conservation Corps New Mexico. More information about New Mexico’s rare plants, can be found here. The 2020 crew will consist of three individuals: two crew members and one crew lead. Together, they will monitor rare plants in remote areas on BLM lands across NM, particularly in areas where multiple-use land management (i.e. energy extraction) impacts rare plants are expected. Due to the inevitable proximity of monitoring plots to well pads and industrial equipment, safety is a prerequisite and will guide how fieldwork is conducted. Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout New Mexico, camp overnight, potentially hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management.
100 plots currently exist for eight rare species across New Mexico. Two types of demographic monitoring plots are utilized including macroplots and belt transects which vary depending on population structure for different species of rare plants. Fecundity, herbivory, and vigor are measured at these plots in order to determine population status and assess population health into the future. Continued monitoring of existing plots, assessment of additional populations, and establishment of new plots is needed. In addition to fieldwork, crew members will be expected to uphold strong organizational skills for the sake of successful data management. All data will be georeferenced using a GPS unit and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase through the utilization of the ArcGIS Online Collector Interface. Some previous experience collecting data, producing excel spreadsheets, and entering data is desirable. The trend data collected by the rare plant monitoring crew will provide essential information for making determinations regarding the protection status of inventoried species, which then impact strategic management decisions.
While rare plant inventories are the focus, where possible, interns will assist with other plant conservation program projects in progress during the summer. Projects may include native seed collection, pollinator monitoring, floristic diversity surveys, and native plant restoration. When or if available, Interns may participate in local BLM sponsored training sessions, outside symposia, and coordination meetings.
Position Contact: Michelle Norris at mnorris@conservationlegacy.org