Biological Team Members - Rare Plant Technician

The American Conservation Experience, is a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ and Salt Lake City, Utah in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM California Desert District Office is seeking Two Biological Team Members to dedicate a 12-week term to assist in conducting rare plant surveys to support the California Desert District Rare Plant Monitoring Program.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org

Start Date: February 27, 2023

End Date: May 22, 2023

*a 12-week minimum commitment is required*

Location: Palm Springs, California.

The BLM California Desert District Office manages a complex variety of public lands on about 11 million acres that stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River and from the International border with Mexico to Death Valley where the mountains meet the Mojave Desert. The CDD is divided into 5 field offices: Needles, Ridgecrest, Barstow, Palm Springs-South Coast, and El Centro. It is co-located with the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office.

Visit the California Desert District Office website for more information on the CDD and Field Offices. https://www.blm.gov/office/california-desert-district-office

Living Allowance: The member will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the cost of housing, food, and incidental expenses.

Housing: Housing is NOT provided by the BLM. Members will be responsible for securing their own housing during the term.

Position Description: ACE Members will perform rare plant surveys in the five field offices within the CDD. Surveys will start in the Palm Springs South Coast Field Office's jurisdiction and proceed to other field offices if time allows. Survey areas are based on previously recorded occurrence data in the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). Ace Members are required to have sufficient botanical knowledge to develop a search image for the rare plants, locate the plants in the field, conduct a habitat assessment, and identify threats to the plants at that location. Survey information will be recorded using Samsung Tablets and the data dictionary developed for the project. Ace members will work closely with the District Botanist and GIS specialists. The ACE member will also be responsible for submitting electronic survey data to the California Natural Diversity Database to update the existing records.

The member will be responsible for but not limited to:

• Generating maps of specific plant locations for use in navigating in the field from CNDDB occurrence data

• Collecting Geographic Information System (GIS) data and mapping monitoring plots and special status species observations using Global Positioning System (GPS) apps Survey 123, Field Maps, and other similar products
• Occasional 12+ hours field days (in the field and travel); potential for overnight stays using local lodging or camping

Qualifications:

Required

• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request)
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to and willing to work outdoors, in varying weather conditions, participating in physical labor
• Comfortable working/hiking in a remote backcountry environment in sometimes difficult terrain

Preferred

• Strong background and interest in botany and rare plants
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and participate effectively in collaborative efforts
• 4WD experience in both sandy and rocky conditions

To Apply: Visit our website here: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC BLM Member Manager, Elyse Cogburn at ecogburn@usaconservation.org.

Note: ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Biological Team Members Rare Plant Technician Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC