Great Basin Institute
FOUNDED IN: 1998
Address:
16750 Mt. Rose Hwy
Reno, Nevada
89511
Biological Science Technician (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest)
JOB DETAILS
Actively Recruiting: Yes
Position title: Biological Science Technician (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest)
Deadline to apply: 2024-05-13
Type of Position: Staff (Seasonal)
Town, City, Park, etc: Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
State / Territory: Nevada
Benefits: Dental Insurance, Education Award, Health Insurance, Student Loan Forbearance, Vision Insurance
Project/Program Focus: Invasive Species Management
ORGANIZATION/PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Co-founded in 1998 by two PhD students, Jerry Keir and Sanjay Pyare, at the University of Nevada, the Institute began as a field studies program to mobilize University faculty, students, and volunteers in applied science and direct service to support national parks, forests, open spaces and public lands. Since then, for over two decades, GBI has supported over 7,000 conservationist serving hundreds of projects to realize positive environmental change across the western US. GBI has raised over 165MM for research, education, and service, making impactful contributions to serving the public and our public lands. GBI is based out of Reno, Nevada, with Satellite offices in Las Vegas, Nevada and South Lake Tahoe, CA. GBI is the recipient of the 2015 USFS’s “Regional Forester Award,” the Nevada Governor’s Points of Light Award in 2005 and was named “Outstanding Non-government Organization” by Environmental Leadership in 2001.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Invasive plants have been identified as a major threat to the biological diversity and ecological integrity in and near the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (HTNF). Invasive plants displace native plants; reduce the forest’s capacity for carbon sequestration; reduce habitat and forage for wildlife and livestock; diminishing populations of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species; alter soil properties and productivity; change the intensity and frequency of wildfires; and impact recreation opportunities.
The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, is recruiting (15) AmeriCorps Biological Science Technicians to participate in non-native, invasive plant species survey, treatment, and monitoring for the forest's noxious weed control program. The primary focus of this position will be the manual and chemical treatment of invasive and noxious weeds. Most of this work is conducted using backpack sprayers, UTV’s, and large 4WD spray vehicles traveling on remote 4WD roads. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be supplied by the Forest Service and always utilized by Technicians. A tablet with FieldMaps, Avenza Maps, and EDDMapS West will be used to record plant populations. A Garmin InReach device will be provided for added safety measures, depending on location stationed at.
Contract Timeline: | |
We are hiring different durations at the following lengths: • 33-week (1200-hour AmeriCorps Term) duration beginning March 2024 • 26-week (900-hour AmeriCorps Term) duration beginning April 2024 • 19-week (675-hour AmeriCorps Term) duration beginning Late May 2024 • 13-week (450-hour AmeriCorps Term) duration beginning Late May 2024 • All Positions are Full Time: 40 hours/week |
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Location: | |
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Rising from the floor of the Great Basin—the vast expanse between the Rocky and Sierra Nevada Mountains where creeks and rivers flow inland rather than to the ocean—the steep, green mountains of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest provide critical water, wildlife habitat, and incredible adventures for visitors and residents. Ghost towns and historic mining cabins dot these vast, largely undiscovered sky islands that offer freedom, solitude, and a sense of discovery and adventure for the self-reliant. Although mostly remote, the Forest also borders some of the busiest urban areas in the country—Las Vegas and Reno. For more information about this incredible landscape, please visit the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest fact sheet. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd498235.pdf Available duty locations will be based at some or all the following locations (NV): Please state on your cover letter your preferred duty location and availability for the position. |
JOB DUTIES
Primary duties: • Treat invasive plant infestations (Treatments primarily involve using herbicides, but may also be accomplished by hand-pulling and/or using hand tools, power tools, mowers, and other standardized control methods); • Identify non-native plant species using various field guides and survey methods for target plants; • Collect data on infestation location and status; • Accurately record data related to invasive plant treatments according to specific protocols; and • Perform basic mathematical calculations related to herbicide mixing and applications. Additional Experience Opportunities: Physical Demands: Technicians will be provided training including plant identification, herbicide safety, pesticide applicator certification (if applicable), use of tablets and associated software, UTV operation (if applicable), trailer towing (if applicable), and first aid will be provided at the beginning of the field season. |
REQUIREMENTS
Technical requirements:
• Knowledge and interest in botany and plant identification;
• Willingness to utilize chemical herbicide treatment methods, and ability to pass Nevada State Applicator exam (training and study time will be provided prior to the exam);
• Ability to utilize hand-held GPS units or tablets for navigation and/or data collection preferred, along with basic computer skills;
• Ability to carry backpack sprayer or up to 30 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition;
• Experience operating 4WD trucks on and off-road, including mountainous forest roads, preferred;
• Knowledge and experience in operating off highway vehicles such as Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV) desirable; and
• Experience with towing and backing-up a trailer, desirable.
Additional requirements:
• Ability to self-direct and self-motivate;
• Possess good organizational skills;
• Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days;
• Ability to bend and stoop for long periods of time, and to use hand tools, and occasionally lift heavy loads;
• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 am, to avoid heat-related issues, to follow plant phenology, or for coordination with team members;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work as part of a tight knit team (take initiative, and behave in a manner that promotes team integrity);
• Ability to work independently or in pairs with little supervision, strong initiative and high attention to detail;
• Tolerant of working in variable weather conditions, willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, and able to hike up to 5 miles daily on uneven terrain;
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging, bending over, hauling material, hiking);
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; and
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 the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (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) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
CONTACT INFORMATION
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