Invasive Plant Monitoring Team
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management Winnemucca District Office is seeking Four Invasive Plant Monitoring Interns for 19 weeks to assist BLM field offices in mapping, treating, and monitoring noxious weeds populations. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals with a background in biology or a closely related field, with a deep interest in jointly advancing their career goals and the stewardship of Nevada's natural resources through purposeful fieldwork and research.
Start Date: April 2020 (Flexible for the right candidates)
End Date: August 2020 (Dependent on start date)
Compensation: $550/wk. per week living allowance to cover Housing, Food, and incidentals. Interns will work a flexible schedule totaling 40 hours per week. Housing is not provided. Intern will be responsible for obtaining their own housing.
Location: Winnemucca District Office
The Winnemucca District Office manages approximately 8 million acres of public lands in northwest Nevada for multiple uses, including mining, grazing, geothermal and solar energy production, and dispersed recreation. The area is typical of the Great Basin, with large desert valleys surrounding numerous mountain ranges up to 9,000 feet in elevation. The vast, sparsely populated area provides many do-it-yourself outdoor opportunities for recreation. This position is based in Winnemucca, which is by far the largest town in the district and has a wide range of amenities, including rental housing, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, Walmart, and entertainment offerings.
Project Background and Objectives: The noxious weeds program is focused on restoring and enhancing natural areas through integrated pest management. This involves identifying priority areas degraded by noxious and invasive weeds, developing and carrying out a plan to reduce the prevalence of weeds while increasing native vegetation, monitoring treatment success, and continuing maintenance treatments. Interns will contribute to ecosystem recovery and gain exposure to the entire process by working on a variety of projects in different phases of the restoration process.
For more information on the BLM, please visit:
You can also visit www.usaconservation.org for more information about ACE and the EPIC program.
Position Description: At least 50% of the interns' time will be spent in the field surveying, treating, and monitoring weeds populations. Field work will be conducted by small teams in remote areas during all weather conditions. Office work will consist of data entry and reporting, treatment and population mapping, maintaining equipment, and planning for field work.
Training: Successful applicants will be required to attain Nevada Pesticide Applicator certification during the internship. Experienced BLM staff will provide training on the safe and effective use of pesticides in preparation for certification and field use. Hands-on training in the duties of natural resource managers including field techniques, GIS, database management, and plant identification will be provided to all interns.
Qualifications: Applicants should have or be working towards a degree in biology, botany, environmental studies, or related field. Candidates with Master's Degrees and an interest in a career in public lands management are strongly encouraged to apply. Resumes and cover letters must show detailed key project experiences.
Required:
ACE Requirements
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident [as defined by federal agreement]
- Interns must be 18-30 (Applicants between 31 and 35 may be considered based on veteran status)
- Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
- Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record with ability to provide required documentation; (Driving record checks will be completed during on-boarding process. (Interns must be 21+ to drive ACE/Agency vehicles)
- Ability to drive an ACE vehicle is required for this position. ACE will conduct a driving record check upon on-boarding and Intern must be cleared by ACE to drive.
- Willing to be drug free throughout position term. ACE is a federal contractor and grantee and is therefore required by law to maintain a drug free workplace.
- Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
- Proven ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
BLM Requirements
- Ability to identify plants and learn both native and noxious weeds of the Great Basin
- Willing and able to apply pesticide (after completing Nevada Pesticide Applicator's certification)
- Ability to work alone or in a small group with minimal supervision
- Able to take initiative, work independently, and participate in collaborative efforts
- Capable of carrying a 30 lb backpack while hiking in remote, uneven terrain
Preferred Skills:
- Knowledge of Great Basin vegetation and ecosystems
- Experience using ArcGIS
- Experience navigating and driving in remote areas on unimproved roads
- Experience using handheld GPS devices
Selected candidates must be willing to represent ACE and the BLM in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. Drug users should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.
**This position is subject to change/close at any time**
To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section, located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. If you have any questions regarding this internship opportunity, please contact ACE EPIC Member Manager, Erin Mounce at emounce@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.