Ecosystems and Range Technician - Palm Springs South Coast Field Office

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Palm Springs South Coast Field Office, is seeking ONE Ecosystems and Range Technician to work alongside Bureau of Land Management staff. The primary purpose of the position is to perform technical post-grazing rangeland condition assessment through adaptive monitoring and support via restoration of former rangeland environments.

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

Start Date: January 2023 *pending federal background check*

Estimated End Date: 33 weeks after start date

*a 33-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Palm Springs, California office,

BLM California's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office ("PSSCFO") manages a complex variety of public lands: about 3.6 million acres. The office serves a diverse public: home to more than 22 million people and host to millions of annual visits. The PSSCFO boundaries stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River and from the international border with Mexico to where the San Gabriel Mountains. Renewable energy, recreation, and conservation currently drive PSSCFO's multiple-use and sustained-yield programming. The office carries out the BLM mission by way of strong partnerships, including the most annual volunteer hours of any BLM California Field Office. PSSCFO's workload includes multiple utility-scale solar and wind projects, managing an ever-expanding number of public land visitors, facilitating existing infrastructure and other permitted uses and year-round operations to protect lives, property, and resources through robust and integrated fire and law enforcement programs. The office manages fourteen Wilderness areas, fourteen Areas of Critical Environmental Concern ("ACECs"), all or part of four National Monuments (Sand to Snow, Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains, California Coastal, and Mojave Trails), three National Scenic and Historic Trails (the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail, and the historic Juan Bautista de Anza and Old Spanish trails) and a handful of vacant grazing allotments needing proper adjudication.

Project Websites: For more information regarding BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, please visit California Desert District Office.

Position Overview:

• Monitoring: Uses established Rangeland Health Assessment Standards and Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) protocols to assess the current ecological condition of former grazing allotments historically impacted by cattle grazing, primarily in eastern San Diego and Riverside Counties). Field assessment surveys will be based on detailed direction from the Bureau representative who will work with the successful applicant to establish field schedules, coordinate pre-field-going data research (maps and historic files) and/or identify previously established key management areas/photo points. as assessment sites Inspects and records functionality various range improvement projects associated with each allotment surveyed. Makes current allotment condition assessment recommendations based on impacts from previous utilization. Recommends future restoration needs based on the regional ecotype of former
• Range Allotment/Improvements : Identifies needed range improvements (wells, reservoirs, fences, vegetation projects, etc.). Assists in discussing and obtaining range user signatures relative to portions of cooperative agreements for approved projects. Assists with monitoring cooperative agreements and range improvement permit projects for conformance to specifications. Inspects and inventories existing range improvements.
• Grazing Administration: Updates case files and allotment file information in the automated VMAP system.
• Range Inventory: Provides assistance to specialists in pre-inventory mapping (soils, vegetation, etc.) by preliminary delineation in geographic information systems (GIS). Conducts range inventory surveys according to accepted standards and techniques. Reviews data for technical accuracy and transfers it to forms for computer data analysis to be used by resource planners. Coordinates with wildlife biologists to record areas of wildlife use, needs, and unique situations.May plan and conduct wild horse and burro inventories.
• Allotment Management Plans (AMPs): Field survey and assessment information collected will help to build an AMP later to be analyzed via NEPA for future management decisions/final adjudication.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies, specific aspects of public land management/natural resource management and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the Forest Service.

Housing Assistance: ACE members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $200/week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Relocation Allowance: The ACE member will have access to NTE $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Members will have the opportunity to be mentored by Forest Service permanent staff in a variety of disciplines related to this role. Members can expect training and mentorship in landscape level planning, botany, invasive mitigation planning and techniques, data collection and reporting, among other things.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• 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.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position should have a bachelor's degree in Range Management, Botany, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Land Use planning or relevant professional experiences in closely related fields.
• Interested in federal/public land management, vegetation surveys/sampling
• Knowledge of the major plant species of the area by use of plant keys to perform range inventories and/or map weed locations.
• Knowledge of GIS and GPS technologies sufficient to utilize geospatial equipment for field data collection and transfer of accurate data to automated systems and databases for analysis. Ability to read maps.

• Database management and ArcGIS software experience.
• 4x4 vehicle, hardiness in the field
• Experience learning and utilizing scientific field sampling/monitoring protocols for data collection and analysis
• Members should be capable of working alone, or with other people, during early morning hours, night, or during the day.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, biting insects, potentially dangerous wildlife, and working in desert conditions. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.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 USFS/BLM Member Manager, Caris Hill at chill@usaconservation.org.

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, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Ecosystems and Range Technician Palm Springs South Coast Field Office Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC