Wyoming BLM Riparian Vegetation Technician @ Colorado Natural Heritage Program

Application Info

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Description

Please see full job announcement here.

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 2 Riparian Vegetation Technicians

WORK LOCATIONS: Based in Fort Collins, CO. Travel throughout Wyoming.

PAY RATE: $18-20/hr, depending on experience. ~$60.00/day per diem & gear reimbursement when traveling beyond base location ($395-455/two-week hitch). Health insurance, retirement, paid federal holidays, and sick leave provided.

Summary of Positions
In partnership with the Wyoming Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is seeking experienced field technicians to collect riparian vegetation data through BLM’s Lotic Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) Program. Successful applicants will be trained in vegetation sampling protocols and will apply those protocols along wadeable rivers and streams on BLM lands throughout Wyoming. All Technicians must be available for the weeklong training May 15-20, 2023.

Two riparian vegetation technicians will be hired. Each technician will be part of a three-person field team consisting of one vegetation technician and two stream monitoring technicians (see WY BLM Lotic AIM announcement) that work collectively to carry out aquatic and riparian sampling. The crew will begin field preparations starting May 8, 2023 and will collect data through September. The team will work closely with Wyoming BLM hydrologists, fisheries biologists, and other BLM staff within Field Offices. Crews will typically spend 6-8 days in a row in the field, camping on BLM land. Data collection will include water quality sampling, stream habitat data, and benthic macroinvertebrates. Field protocols for riparian vegetation data collection can be found here: Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM of Stream Channels and Streamside Vegetation (blm.gov).

Riparian Vegetation Technician positions will be responsible for vegetation sampling along streams. They will need to identify all riparian vascular plants found along the streambank to the species level either in the field or in the office after sampling. They will collect vouchers of unknown species and track all unknown plants from multiple sites over a sampling hitch. The riparian vegetation technician will also be responsible for collecting data on grazing impact to the streambank and riparian vegetation following defined protocols.

Qualifications for Riparian Vegetation Technicians

• Coursework in botany, ecology, wetland science, natural resources, range management, or related field required for all positions. A completed B.S. degree is preferred.
• Field experience collecting scientific data, specifically vegetation sampling, is required.
• Ability to identify riparian graminoids, forbs, shrubs and trees to species using dichotomous keys is required for this position. Good familiarity with riparian species and commonly accepted plant nomenclature in the Rocky Mountain West is preferred.
• Experience with aerial photography (Google Earth), navigating with a topographic map, and use of GPS is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules, travel extensively during the field season, share living quarters, car camp, and potentially backpack and hike long distances (up to 10 miles / day) while carrying a heavy pack (up to 40 lbs) is required.
• Willingness and ability to work with a positive attitude in field conditions that include exposure to inclement weather, rugged terrain, hot or cold weather (30–110° F), mosquitos, and poisonous plants, all while maintaining a strong commitment to team safety is required.
• High degree of comfort wading in all types of streams including those with slick rocks, boulders, fast water, cold water, deep mud, and log jams is required.
• Careful attention to detail and strong written and organizational skills to complete lengthy field forms is required for all positions. Experience collecting data electronically using tablets or other devices is preferred.
• Strong oral communication skills for professional interactions with BLM staff and private landowners is required.
• A valid driver’s license is required for all positions. Experience driving 4x4 vehicles on rough roads preferred.
• Wilderness First Aid or other field safety training preferred for all positions.

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply email resume, cover letter, and three references (with email and phone numbers) to Alex Binsfeld at Alex.Binsfeld@colostate.edu . Please indicate if you would like to be considered for the Crew Lead positions. Applications will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled or until April 30, 2023, whichever comes first.

$18-20/hr, depending on experience.

Location

Fort Collins, CO, USA

Category

External

Posted

2023-01-30 00:00