CREW LEADER: VEGETATION MONITORING (AIM) WITH THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS
_ LAS CRUCES DISTRICT OFFICE, NEW MEXICO_
POSITION TITLE: Crew Leader
POSITION TYPE: Full-time, temporary, 32 weeks OR 52 weeks
LOCATION: Las Cruces, NM (3 positions)
SALARY: $680/week
BENEFITS: Paid training; camp rate food allowance; health benefits package
HIRING BENEFITS: Public 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: July 2019-July 2020
SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CORPS’S MISSION
It is the mission of the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment. For more information, visit www.sccorps.org.
CREW LEAD’S RESPONSIBILITIES
Supports and manages the field crew’s safety and wellbeing, consistently exercising discretion and judgment. Coordinates field logistics, scheduling, crew tasks, and management of the crew’s equipment. Is the primary contact between the crew and the SCC supervisor/BLM staff. Completes necessary administrative paperwork. Before, during, and after field data collection, the lead is responsible for the organization and quality control of all AIM data collected in both DIMA and ArcGIS. The crew lead will analyze, interpret, or make deductions for varying data, and will be required report data to various BLM offices and stakeholders. Written reports will be completed and involve the presentation of scientific data and pre/post treatment analysis. The crew lead should be passionate about sound science principles, be an advocate for the AIM program in the field office, and have a willingness to learn about how AIM data could be used in range, forestry, fire and wildlife programs within the BLM.
MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
At least 6 months’ experience in vegetation monitoring and leading a crew of two or more people.
Experience working as part of a team and be able to work well with others.
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 New Mexico flora in general and Flora Neomexicana III is preferred.
Experience with hand texturing, characterizing soil pits, and identifying soil series or ecological sites based on observational and quantitative data collected.
Experience with handheld GPS units and External GNSS GPS antennae and basic troubleshooting
Experience with ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcGIS Online interface.
Field Safety and Risk Management Training
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
Participant will manage all aspects of vegetation monitoring using the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Assessment, Inventory, & Monitoring (AIM) methodology. More information on the BLM’s AIM strategy can be found on the AIM website: http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/. Crews will consist of three individuals: two crew members and one crew lead. Together, they will monitor land health on BLM lands including National Monument lands, vegetation treatments, rangeland allotments, or reference areas using AIM methodology.
Within all plots: vegetation will be identified to species; line-point intercept will be used to gather species cover and composition data; soil stability will be measured; canopy gap and vegetation height will be measured; and soil pit descriptions will be completed. All data will be georeferenced using a GPS unit and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase. Data are entered into the Database for Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment (DIMA) on site with ruggedized tablets and are further analyzed and synthesized into various reports for future land management planning. The crew may also have the opportunity to assist with other public land management projects involving wildlife, range and forestry.
Work will be completed in remote areas on BLM lands. Crews will be required to drive to several different areas of the Field or District Office throughout a four- to eight-day “hitch”, camp overnight, hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management.
PUBLIC LAND CORPS:
The Public Land Corps (PLC) program provides the opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 30 (civilian) or 35 (veteran) 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
TO APPLY FROM EXTERNAL POSTINGS OF THIS POSITION DESCRIPTION:
https://sccorps-openhire.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&jobid=1348&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=992385&company_id=16984&version=1&byBusinessUnit=&bycountry=0&bystate=0&byRegion=&bylocation=NULL&keywords=&byCat=NULL&proximityCountry=&postalCode=&radiusDistance=&isKilometers=&tosearch=yes&city=
Please apply to all locations of interest, and mention rank of interest.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Required Skills Required Experience