Job Title: Ecological Field Technician
Classification: Seasonal Position (6 weeks)
Pay: $20 per hour
Location: Pahrump Valley, Nevada (Mojave Desert)
Start Date: 3/20/2023
Application Deadline: 2/15/2023
Number of Positions: 2
Organizations: Cornell University, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Contact: Kyle Turchick (kt493@cornell.edu)
Job Summary:
Multiple field technician positions need to be filled for work related to
both disturbance ecology and renewable energy ecology. The field
technicians will assist with data collection for a project investigating
the effects of solar energy development on the Mojave Desert ecosystem.
This project is funded by the Bureau of Land Management and is in
collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Field work will be in
the Pahrump Valley of Nevada, which is located in between Death Valley,
California and Las Vegas Valley, Nevada. The field work will be led by a
PhD student in the USGS Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit at
Cornell University (Kyle Turchick). The two main objectives are to (1)
understand ecosystem change due to the construction of a large solar energy
facility and then (2) inform land managers in the Las Vegas Field Office,
as well as the broader community of research ecologists. INDIVIDUALS WITH
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IMPLEMENTING THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT’S
ASSESSMENT, INVENTORY, AND MONITORING (AIM) METHODOLOGY ARE ENCOURAGED TO
APPLY.
Job Description:
The field technicians will assist with data collection both in and around
the solar facility for 1.5 months, beginning in mid-March 2023 and ending
late-April (6 weeks total). Each week will consist of four 10-hour days of
fieldwork (Monday-Thursday), followed by three days off (Friday-Sunday). A
work truck will be provided for the crew, such that the field technicians
won’t need a personal vehicle during the work week. During the four-day
work week technicians are expected to camp with the work truck on the
public lands surrounding the isolated solar facility. The crew will
commute in the work truck each day from the public land basecamp to the
nearby solar facility, and then hike out to sampling locations from within
the solar facility; or the crew will hike from the public land basecamp to
the sampling locations outside of the solar facility. The workday will
begin early in the morning and extend through the heat of the day.
Technicians will be paid $20 an hour. The necessary cooking supplies will
be provided for the crew (propane stove, fuel, pots, pans, cutting board,
bowls, plates, cups, utensils, etc.), and food expenses will be covered
during the four-day fieldwork week (Monday-Thursday).
The primary scientific duties of the field technicians will be to identify
plant species, measure vegetation, characterize biological soil crust,
quantify downed woody debris, describe soils, survey burrows, sample
pollinators (trap deployment and recovery), accurately and legibly record
data (with paper & pencil), correctly enter field data to digital formats,
and potentially install sensors. Previous experience beyond classwork
required for: identifying plant species, vegetation measurements, and both
accurate and legible data recordings, these are the three central skill
sets. Attention to detail and organization while in physically stressful
environmental conditions are key characteristics. Again, individuals with
previous experience implementing the Bureau of Land Management’s
Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) methodology are encouraged to
apply.
The successful applicant must be able to perform these duties consistently
for long periods of time in physically challenging environments. The
physical and mental capacity to conduct long hours of fieldwork in rugged,
hot desert conditions is required.
Qualifications Summary:
Desired qualifications for the position include the following:
1. Experience working with AIM protocol
2. Experience collecting data on desert soils and plants
3. Ability to accurately follow instructions for data collection and
implement scientific procedures
4. Physical and mental capacity to conduct long hours of fieldwork in
rugged, hot desert conditions
5. A Bachelor’s degree in botany, soils, or related field OR equivalent
work experience in desert ecology.
Application:
Please submit the following to application materials, preferably in a
single PDF document, to Kyle Turchick (PhD student) via email (kt492@cornell.edu):
Application Materials: (1) Brief letter of interest;
(2) Resume/CV; (3) Names and contact info for 3 references; and (4)
transcripts (optional). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis,
but the final date to apply is 2/15/23.
Thank you for your interest.