CCNM Seeds of Success - Carlsbad, NM - Crew Member
POSITION TITLE: Crew Member (Botany Emphasis)
POSITION TYPE: Full-time, temporary, 24 weeks
LOCATION: Carlsbad, New Mexico
STIPEND: $600/week
BENEFITS: Paid training; Grocery budget while camping in the field ($10/day); AmeriCorps Education Award upon satisfactory completion of term.
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: (Start range) May 4, 2020 – June 1, 2020 (End range) October 16, 2020 - November 13, 2020
APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE ATTACHED.
CONSERVATION CORPS NEW MEXICO
It is the mission of Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM) to engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. For more information, visit www.corpsnm.org.
CREW MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
Participates in the Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Seeds of Success (SOS) team by collecting seeds from priority species across New Mexico. Assists with implementing a rare plant monitoring protocol for Escobaria sneedii var. leei (Lee’s pincushion cactus). Assists with installation of weather
stations for rare plant data collection. Demonstrates strong botanical and organizational skills, and maintains exceptional attention to detail in relation to data collection and 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.
This is a full-time, temporary position that requires 40-hour work weeks.
MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS:
College Graduate (BA/BS) with degree in ecology, botany, plant ecology, plant biology, plant systematics, conservation biology, natural resource management, environmental science, or a related field
Eligible to accept a 1700-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:
Ability to produce identification as stipulated by I-9 upon hire
Valid US driver's license and driving record in good standing
Ability to pass standard government background check; ability to pass Conservation Legacy's Criminal History Checks
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
Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads and driving for extended periods of time (3-6 hours to work sites in addition to scouting 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
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 110 degree (F) heat while maintaining a cheery to neutral attitude
Experience and willingness to spend multiple days (1-4 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
APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE ATTACHED.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The crew members will work with a crew lead for the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Seeds of Success team, operated by Conservation Corps New Mexico. Crews will be based out of the Carlsbad field office. Together, the crew will collect seeds from native species in remote areas on BLM and Forest Service lands across NM, following SOS protocols. The crew will collaborate with regional crews to make seed collections. The crew member will receive training from the crew lead and will participate in a regional seed collection training for further training with local botany experts. 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. This position requires more driving relative to other types of field work. Crew members must be prepared for long days driving and scouting from the truck. Safety is a pre-requisite, particularly where industry development (energy extraction, e.g. Natural gas) is occurring and during hunting season, and will guide how fieldwork is conducted.
Seed collected by BLM is saved in short and long term storage in the U.S. to support development of plant materials for land restoration purposes by BLM and other entities. The crew member will assist the crew lead with data management, including record filing, database input, and seed processing. The New Mexico BLM SOS program collaborates closely with the Southwest Seed Partnership, so exposure to regular restoration planning meetings related to ongoing seed collection efforts will complement other work.
Specific duties will include selecting and locating populations of plant species based on the established SOS Protocol and locally developed target species lists. The crew member will work with the crew lead to locate populations of targeted species, monitor phenology of the population, collect botanical voucher specimens, assess seed quantity and quality prior to seed collection, collect seed, record site data, prepare documentation, and ship collected seed to the Bend Seed Extractory for cleaning and short term storage. Ability to identify plants both in the field and in the office via dichotomous keys is an important function of the position. However, help with plant ID will be provided and IDs will be reviewed. The crew member will use ArcGIS tablet applications (i.e. ArcCollector) software to locate and document collections. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles in rugged off highway situations is expected. Familiarity with this equipment is highly desirable, but training will be provided where needed.
While Seeds of Success is the primary focus, the crew member will also assist with other plant conservation program projects during the summer. Projects may include rare plant monitoring, pollinator monitoring, and native plant restoration. When or if available, interns may participate in local BLM sponsored training sessions, outside symposia, and coordination meetings.
PUBLIC LAND CORPS:
The Public Land Corps program provides the opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 30 years to work on conservation projects on public lands. Participants must successfully complete 640 hours that include at least 120 hours on federal lands through the PLC. PLC members are not federal government employees, but those who successfully complete the PLC requirements are then eligible to use, for two years, a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions. https://www.blm.gov/careers/students-and-grads/public-lands-corps
POSITION CONTACT: MICHELLE NORRIS AT MNORRIS@CONSERVATIONLEGACY.ORG
APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE ATTACHED.
Required Skills Required Experience