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Range Technician II - 1217

North Wind Group

Range Technician II - 1217

National
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    LOCATION: SALT LAKE CITY, UT TITLE: RANGE TECHNICIAN II SCHEDULE (FT/PT): FT/SEASONAL TRAVEL REQUIRED: Y CLEARANCE: N Incorporated in 2011, North Wind Resource Consulting's core capabilities include environmental documentation and permitting; natural and cultural resource surveys; wildlife and botanical expertise; National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) technical services; historic and prehistoric surveys; environmental consultation such as Section 106 for cultural resources, Section 404 for wetlands, and Section 7 for endangered species); and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping capabilities. North Wind Resource Consulting maintains offices across the country. JOB DESCRIPTION

    The Range Technician II is responsible for conducting work on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's National Resources Inventory (NRI) in multiple western states.  The Range Technician II will work with one to two other technicians under the supervision of a Project Manager to quantify vegetation following the National Resources Inventory Grazing Land On-Site Data Collection Handbook of Instructions.

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

    • Following established field protocols in performing vegetation sampling (including species inventory, foliar cover, canopy gap, species abundance, and herbaceous and woody heights)
    • Collect and maintain field data pertaining to vegetation sampling (including species inventory, foliar cover, canopy gap, species abundance, and herbaceous and woody heights) at pre-determined sampling locations
    • Provide guidance to entry level range technicians on the collection and maintenance of field data
    • Establishing sampling plots and transects
    • Digging soil pits and characterizing and describing soil horizons to correlate sites with ecological site descriptions (ESDs)
    • Making qualitative range assessments
    • Take photo-points of range assessments and vegetation samplings
    • Entering data into handheld Trimble CASI units and uploading photographs to the NRCS server
    • Identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys
    • Employing extensive QA/QC data checks.
    • Extensive 4x4 driving on unmaintained roads with and without lower level technicians as needed.
    • Navigate off-trail to sampling sites with and without lower level technicians as needed
    • Identify and describe soil horizons to help verify ecological site descriptions (ESDs)
    • Maintaining safety awareness and practices
    • Regular communication with North Wind support staff and NRCS range staff
    • Participation in North Wind and NRCS training

    QUALIFICATIONS

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

    _ _

    EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

    • Actively pursuing a degree in botany, rangeland science, biology, natural resource management, soils, ecology or closely related field and one (1) year of experience; OR
    • Three (3) years of experience working as a Range Technician to include:
    • o Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key;
    • o Experience in describing and identifying soil horizons preferred;
    • o Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols, including standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots, and site observations;
    • o Experience with data entry and management;
    • o Reading, interpreting and navigating using topographic maps;
    • o Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads; and
    • o Experience navigating with hand-held GPS units.

    SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

    • Strong work ethic
    • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
    • Ability to follow written and oral instruction
    • Ability to provide guidance and instruction to lower level technicians
    • Ability and willingness to travel to various field locations, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather and rugged terrain
    • Ability to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads required
    • Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds
    • Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights)
    • Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of the NRI program and North Wind's commitment to providing the NRCS with the highest quality data.
    • Flexibility with position location within field district offices
    • Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the sampling area and associated natural resource issues preferred
    • Experience in and willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field
    • Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles

    QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED:

    • Bachelor's degree in botany, rangeland science, biology, natural resource management, soils, ecology or closely related field and one (1) year of experience
    • CPR/First Aid certified.

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

    • Ability and willingness to travel throughout the Western region
    • Must pass pre-employment background check
    • Must pass pre-employment drug screening
    • Applicants are required to have REAL ID ACT compliant documentation at time of hire and nothing on record that would prohibit you from employment on federal government contracts

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

    This position requires long periods of walking, climbing, standing, stooping, kneeling and bending for periods of up to 10-12 hours per day.  Frequent carrying of a backpack with camping and sampling equipment of up to 40 lbs on traverse uneven terrain. 

    WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

    Work will be performed strictly outdoors in harsh and rapidly changing environments to include all types of weather conditions to include extreme heat or cold environments, traverse uneven terrain. 

    REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT: 

    Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

    North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work-life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people! For more information about our benefits or hiring philosophy, visit the North Wind Career Opportunities Page.

    Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.  If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline +1.208.528.8718 or use the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form to get assistance.

    North Wind is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

    Proof of citizenship will be required as a condition of employment.