POSITION TITLE: Crew Member (Botany Emphasis), two positions

POSITION TYPE: Full-time, temporary, 24 weeks

LOCATION: Gallup, New Mexico; Ft. Defiance, Arizona

STIPEND: $500/week

BENEFITS: Paid training; AmeriCorps Education Award upon satisfactory completion of term.

PROGRAM DATES: July 1, 2020 (Start range) – December 31, 2020 (end Range)

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE ATTACHED.

SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS: The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. The SCC selects young adults, ages 16-30, to complete conservation work projects on public lands throughout the Southwest. SCC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning. SCC empowers individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment.

POSITION SUMMARY: With our Ancestral Lands-Seeds of Change crew (AL-SOC), AL selects Individuals between ages 21-29, to complete conservation work projects on Navajo lands throughout the Southwest, who are interested in pursuing educational and professional development in resource management, land management and other outdoor related fields. Members will support the Navajo Natural Heritage Program (NNHP) of Navajo Fish and Wildlife to map and identify priority revegetation areas and collecting seeds from priority species across the Navajo Nation. Assist with implementing plant monitoring protocols. Demonstrate strong botanical and organizational skills and maintain exceptional attention to detail in relation to data collection and management. Effectively coordinate with co-crew member and NNHP Lead(s) to complete tasks properly. Exhibit 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 NNHP leads, 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:

• Eligible to accept a 900-hour service term with Americorps
  • Aged between 21 and 29 years upon hire
  • With U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence and associated identification, including:
    • A signed social security card
    • A Birth Certificate, Certificate of Indian Blood, & government issued photo ID OR a valid passport.
  • Ability to produce identification as stipulated by I-9upon 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 3 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: 

• 1 to 2 years College Experience, or 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.
• General fieldwork experience and at least 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 Navajo Nation or Southwest flora in general.
  • Experience working in regions with high floristic diversity.
• Experience working as part of a two-person team and able to work well with others.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and planning skills.
• Experience with ArcGIS tablet applications (ArcCollector, Survey123) and basic troubleshooting.
• Experience with ArcMap and ArcGIS Online interface.
• Experience collecting, managing and summarizing data for plant and/or animal monitoring programs.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The crew members will work alongside Navajo Natural Heritage Program, operated by Navajo Fish and Wildlife. Crew will be based out of Ancestral Lands Navajo Program office in Gallup, NM, when crew is not in the field, crew will work out of the Navajo Forestry Department at the seed lab and or the Greenhouse in Ft. Defiance, AZ. Together, the crew will collect seeds from native species in remote areas on the Navajo Nation across states AZ, NM, and southern UT following NNHP protocols. The crew members will receive training from NNHP botany experts, participating in plant identification, seed collection, seed cleaning, and greenhouse nursery production. Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout the Navajo Nation, sometimes 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 private land permit holders exist and during hunting season, this will guide how fieldwork is conducted.

Seed collected by Navajo Natural Heritage Program is saved in short- and long-term storage to support development of plant materials for land restoration purposes. The crew members will assist the NNHP lead(s) with data management, including record filing, database input, seed processing, and cleaning. Specific duties will include selecting and locating populations of plant species based on Navajo Natural Heritage’s established seed collection protocols and locally developed target species lists. The crew members will work with NNHP lead(s) 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 ready collected seeds for cleaning and 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, Survey123) 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 Change is the primary focus, the crew members will also assist with other plant conservation projects alongside NNHP during their term. Projects may include rare plant monitoring, pollinator monitoring, and native plant collection and restoration.

POSITION CONTACT: MBENALLY@CONSERVATIONLEGACY.ORG

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE ATTACHED.

Required Skills Required Experience

1. Must have a comprehensive knowledge of routine procedures with critical thinking skills for both adults, pediatric, and neonatal patients.
2. Possesses effective oral and written communication skills.
3. Possesses effective interpersonal relationship skills.
4. Ability to read and comprehend English at a level necessary to follow written and oral instructions and safety precautions.
5. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.