POSITION TITLE: Crew Member (Botany Emphasis).

POSITION TYPE:  Full-time, temporary, 23-29 weeks.

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

SALARY: $520/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.

PUBIC 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) April 2021 – November  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 a Crew Leader for the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Rare Plant Monitoring Initiative, operated by Conservation Corps New Mexico. More information about New Mexico’s rare plants, can be found here. The crew will consist of three individuals: two Crew Members and one Crew Leader. Together, the crew will monitor rare plants in remote areas on BLM lands across NM, particularly in areas where multiple-use land management (i.e. energy extraction) impacts rare plants are expected. Due to the inevitable proximity of monitoring plots to well pads and industrial equipment, safety is a prerequisite and will guide how fieldwork is conducted. Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout New Mexico, camp overnight for 2-7 consecutive days, potentially hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management.

100 plots currently exist for eight rare species across New Mexico. Two types of demographic monitoring plots are utilized including macroplots and belt transects which vary depending on population structure for different species of rare plants. Fecundity, herbivory, and vigor are measured at these plots in order to determine population status and assess population health into the future. Continued monitoring of existing plots, assessment of additional populations, and establishment of new plots is needed. In addition to fieldwork, crews will be expected to uphold strong organizational skills for the sake of successful data management. All data will be georeferenced using a GPS unit and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase through the utilization of the ArcGIS Online Collector Interface. Some previous experience collecting data, producing excel spreadsheets, and entering data is desirable.  The trend data collected by the rare plant monitoring crew will provide essential information for making determinations regarding the protection status of inventoried species, which then impact strategic management decisions.

While rare plant inventories are the focus, where possible, crews will assist with other plant conservation program projects in progress during the summer. Projects may include native seed collection, pollinator monitoring, floristic diversity surveys, and native plant restoration. When, or if available, crews may participate in local BLM sponsored training sessions, outside symposia, and coordination meetings.

CREW MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

Crew Members will participate in the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s Rare Plant Monitoring Team by monitoring existing plots and establishing new long-term demographic trend monitoring plots for imperiled plant species. Members will demonstrate strong botanical, statistical, and organizational skills, and maintain exceptional attention to detail in relation to monitoring efforts and data management. Effectively coordinate with the crew leader and supervisor to complete tasks properly. Exhibit familiarity and comfort with hiking and camping in rugged conditions, as well as perseverance in extreme weather conditions. Demonstrate 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.

MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• College Graduate with degree in ecology, botany, plant ecology, plant biology, plant systematics, conservation biology, natural resource management, or a related field.

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

  • Between 21 and 30 years years of age 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 or group level as well as a willingness to accept.
• 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.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR BACKGROUND CHECK:

A DOI 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