Botany Technician - Castle Mountains National Monument
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Botany Technician. The member will dedicate 26 weeks working directly with the Resource Stewardship Division, exploring the field of natural resource management and conducting vegetation surveys.
For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Start Date: August 30, 2020
End Date: February 27, 2021 (or 26 weeks after start date)
*Flexibility maybe required for project start due to COVID-19. A 26-week commitment is required*
Location: Castle Mountains National Monument, California and Mojave National Preserve, California.
Castle Mountains represents some of the most unique elements of the Mojave Desert. Nestled between the Nevada state line and Mojave National Preserve, the nearly 21,000 acres of Castle Mountains boasts Joshua tree forests, unbroken natural landscapes, rare desert grasslands, and rich human history.
Mojave National Preserve, a 1.6-million-acre park, has singing sand dunes, cinder cone volcanoes, Largest Joshua tree forest, and carpets of spring wildflowers. A visit to its canyons, mountains, and mesas will reveal long-abandoned mines, homesteads, and rock-walled military outposts.
For more information on Castle Mountains National Monument, visit: www.nps.gov/camo/index.htm. For more information on Mojave National Preserve National Monument, visit: www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm.
Living Allowance: The ACE Member can anticipate serving ~40 hours/week and will receive $765/week for food, housing, and other incidentals, dispersed bi-weekly. Backcountry per diem provided by direct cost reimbursements.
Housing: NPS dormitory housing is available at a rate of $7-8 per day. The dormitory is located at the Hole-In-The-Wall Fire Center within the Preserve. The nearest town with full services, including grocery stores, hospital, etc., is Fort Mohave, Nevada approximately 75 miles away. Possession of personally owned vehicle is HIGHLY recommended.
Position Description:
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
The ACE Member will work collaboratively with the National Park Service staff, members of other conservation organizations, and volunteers to gather baseline invasive plant data that will help form the basis for all future invasive plant management in Castle Mountains National Monument. The ACE member will also assist range technician gather rangeland health information to inform the development of a Grazing Management Plan within the Mojave National Preserve.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Monitoring invasive and native vegetation
- Salvaging and revegetating native plant communities
- Collecting and accurately recording field data on plants and plant communities
- Using databases and spreadsheets to enter biological data
- Navigating in backcountry settings using compasses, topographic maps, aerial photos, and / or GPS units
- Mapping spatial data using GPS units in the field
- Using a variety of equipment for fieldwork, such as 4WD vehicles, GPS units, and vegetation collection and sampling tools.
- Other duties related to vegetation management, such as invasive plant control, seed collection, fence construction, etc.
Projects will include long periods of time standing, bending over and hiking in a backcountry setting in varying or harsh outdoor weather conditions. The ACE member should be comfortable hiking long distances while carrying a heavy backpack.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:
Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours and utilize their certificate before the age of 30.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional and enthusiastic manner
- Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
- Knowledge and ability to identify Mojave flora
- Plant identification skills using dichotomous keys, especially grasses
- This position is funded through the Public Land Corps Act which has specific program requirements.
- Must be 21-30 years of age to apply (members must be 21+ to apply for an ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties)
- Military Veterans up to 35 are encouraged to apply
- 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
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.
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 ACE EPIC Recruitment Specialist, Jen Wells at jwells@usaconservation.org.
EOE: 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.