Ecological Monitoring Crew Lead

We welcome candidates who can work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of professionals working towards wildfire resilience, post-fire restoration, and watershed conservation. This position will require excellent attention to detail; good self-care; a passion for working outdoors; a strong safety ethic and robust organizational skills.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to leadership of the monitoring field crew in data collection (including regular overnight travel); providing oversight and quality control; supervising and mentoring student workers and interns; equipment inventory and maintenance; assisting with data analysis and reporting; participating in the creation, revision and publication of training and other materials; providing training to various audiences; and some administrative tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform field measurements and assessments of forest and riparian resources and ecological indicators, including data recording and quality assurance. Work is often performed in remote locations over difficult terrain.
• Take a leadership role in crew preparation, management, and accomplishment of field tasks. This involves primary supervision, mentorship and task delegation of the upland field crew and work-study interns in the field, and at times in office settings, as well as coordinating schedules, vehicles, equipment, and meals. Overnight travel and camping required.
• Take a leadership role in crew safety.
• Maintain a Wilderness First Responder or higher certification
• Perform field mapping of project sites using Global Positioning System and Geographic Information Systems technology
• Perform computer entry and quality control of field data including using FFI, Microsoft Excel, or other database software with attention to detail, including working with historic data
• Assist the monitoring staff in generating summary reports of field data and communicating results and management implications to partners.
• Assist NMFWRI staff and NMHU faculty in conducting training and outreach related to forest and riparian measurement, treatment, and analysis techniques.
• Assist with revisions and publication of field monitoring manual and other materials.
• Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of NMFWRI equipment, including basic vehicle maintenance
• Utilize an asset management system to handle check in/check out and inventory of equipment for fieldwork
• Participate in the accomplishment of forest and watershed restoration treatments as part of professional development opportunities
• Maintain regular attendance and clear communication with supervisors and colleagues in office, field, and online working environments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Must be willing to occasionally work weekends, evenings, and odd hours, as required
• Must be willing to travel, at times to remote locations
• Continued employment is contingent on grant funding

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with ecological measurement and techniques
• Knowledge of basic forestry and ecological science concepts
• Knowledge of GNSS-based field data collection techniques and ESRI geographic information systems software
• Knowledge of plant ID and particularly in the range of southwest vegetation types.
• Familiarity with data quality control processes
• Effective time management and ability to achieve goals and independently undertake tasks with minimum amount of direct supervision
• Ability to work as a member of a team with diverse skills and backgrounds
• Ability to communicate both orally and in written form