(DHA CA) Range Technician (BLM, Applegate FO)

The Great Basin Institute, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, is hiring one Range Technician – Riparian Pasture Development position under the BLM’s Direct Hire Authority Program (DHA)* with the Applegate Field Office, Surprise Field Station, in Cedarville California. Successful completion of 11-week term will result in the applicant being eligible for the DHA-RAI Certificate of Completion, program participants that meet Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for a BLM mission-critical/hard-to-fill occupation may be directly appointed without competition to a full time, permanent position vacancy.

The purpose of this project is to assess the Massacre Mountain grazing allotment for the establishment of a management plan to alleviate impacts to Greater Sage grouse and riparian resources within the project area.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has identified the Grassy Meadows Spring Complex as an area of high use by greater sage-grouse. The Grassy Meadows Spring Complex is in an active grazing allotment (Massacre Mountain) and adjacent to wilderness areas. NDOW and the BLM are collaborating both developmentally and financially for the outcome of this project and the successful intern for this project will have a high level of interaction with both agencies.

The successful intern will work closely with the BLM AGFO Supervisory Rangeland Management Specialist, Wildlife Biologists, Archaeologist, Wilderness Specialists as well as collaborate with adjacent BLM Field Offices and the Nevada Department of Wildlife. At the conclusion of this internship, the successful intern will provide the Applegate Field Office with a management plan for implementation.

Duties Include:

• Inventory existing fence lines through GIS
• Inventory existing range improvements GIS
• Inventory both upland and riparian plant species
• Participate on interdisciplinary teams
• Hiking remotely and independently 
• Closely collaborate with BLM Applegate Field Office and Nevada Department of Wildlife resource specialists
• Ability to craft and deliver management recommendations at conclusions of internship.

*The DHA program is intended for those currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, at an accredited college or university. Undergraduate is defined as an associate or bachelor’s degree program. 

Contract Timeline:

• 11-week appointment beginning in June 2024, pending successful completion and passage of DOI Background Investigation,
• June – August
• Full-time, 40-hrs week with a flexible schedule

Location: Applegate Field Office, Surprise Field Station, Cedarville, CA

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage: $20/hr
• Moving stipend of $500
• Housing is not provided, however space in the Cedarville Fire Barracks is available for approximately $350 per month

Job Qualifications:

• Junior, senior or recently earned bachelor’s degree in Rangeland Management, Agriculture, Natural Resource Science, or related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and field experience.
• Enthusiasm about the position, with interest in, and knowledge of botany, restoration, and riparian systems
• Experience with ArcGIS applications such as Field Maps.
• Ability to safely navigate to field sites using maps/compass and handheld GPS devices. 
• High level of proficiency leading field work in dynamic field settings. 
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Experience with data entry and QA/QC procedures.
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills.
• Possession of a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license; and
• Successfully complete and pass a federal background check prior to starting position.