POSITION TITLE: Crew Member (Botany Emphasis).

POSITION TYPE:  Full-time, temporary, 23-25 weeks.

LOCATION: Based in Carlsbad, NM with travel throughout the state expected.

SALARY: $600/week

BENEFITS: Paid training; health benefits; Employee Assistance Program; Grocery budget while camping in the field ($10/day). AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of term.

PUBLIC LAND CORPS HIRING AUTHORITY: Eligible to use, for two years upon completion of term, a non-competitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions for a federal agency.

PROGRAM DATES: (Anticipated) late May 2021 - December 2021.

SUMMARY:

CONSERVATION CORPS NEW MEXICO MISSION

Conservation Corps New Mexico, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. For more information, visit www.corpsnm.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Crew Members will work with the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Seeds of Success (SOS) team, operated by Conservation Corps New Mexico. Crews will be based out of the BLM Carlsbad field office. 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 other regional crews to make seed collections. Crew Members will receive training from the Crew Leader and will participate in a regional seed collection 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 involves significant driving relative to other types of field work. Crew members must be prepared for long days driving and scouting from a truck.  Safety is a prerequisite, 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 to support development of plant materials for land restoration purposes by BLM and other entities. Crew Members will assist the crew leader 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. Crew members will work with the crew leader 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. The 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. Crew Members will use ArcGIS tablet applications (i.e. ArcCollector) 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 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.

CREW MEMBER 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

additional projects related to rare plant monitoring. Demonstrates strong botanical and organizational skills, and maintains exceptional attention to detail in relation to data collection and management. Effectively coordinates with the crew leader 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 Leader and local resources to build botanical knowledge throughout the position.

This is a full-time, temporary position that requires overnight camping and non-traditional work hours inclusive of weekend and evening hours.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Eligible to accept a 900-hour service term with Americorps.

  • Between the age of 21 and 30 years upon enrollment.
  • With U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence and associated identification, including:
    • A Social Security Card.
    • A Birth Certificate & government issued photo ID OR a valid passport.
  • Ability to produce identification as stipulated by I-9 upon hire.
  • Valid US driver's license and driving record in good standing.
  • 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 and willingness to spend multiple days (1-8 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, in remote areas on unimproved roads and driving for extended periods of time.
  • Current or ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and Defensive Driver Training certificates.

• Ability to pass Conservation Legacy's Criminal History Check and Department of Interior Background Check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 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 positive attitude.

• 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).

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc.

• Ability to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.

• Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.

• Ability to drive for up to 10-hours per day.

• This position calls for high levels of concentration. A large amount of travel is required to conduct fieldwork, provide assistance to other field offices, and to provide or receive training.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal level as well as a willingness to adapt to challenges and changing plans or conditions.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, the BLM and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environments.

SAFETY AND JUDGMENT:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crisis.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.

SUBSTANCE FREE:

In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

BACKGROUND CHECK:

A Department Of Interior background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report to duty. The BLM will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after the candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start the position. THIS PROCESS WILL DETERMINE THE EXACT START DATE.

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

Required Skills Required Experience