Ecological Monitoring Lead

The University of Montana (UM) O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West (OCRMW) is conducting work for Summer 2024 in partnership with the Montana/Dakotas Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  We are currently recruiting a Crew Lead with experience in environmental studies, environmental education, ecology or related field to lead crew to collect data in the Billings, MT Field Office May 15 through August/September.

This crew is based in the BLM Billings Field Office and will interact directly with BLM and UM staff. This is an excellent opportunity for networking and learning! The Crew Lead will lead implementation of the BLM’s Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy. This protocol is targeted at collecting standardized inventory and long-term vegetation and soils data at multiple scales across BLM Districts in the Western U.S.  

The Crew Lead will lead 2 student technicians to collect vegetation and soils data in sagebrush-steppe and grassland ecosystems. Crews work four 10-hour days per week. Crews will typically return to Billings each day but will occasionally be required to camp in isolated regions. We ask seasonal staff to commit to the entire field season, practice safety awareness, safe driving policies, and contribute to building a healthy, productive and enjoyable work environment. 

Applicants should understand that this is physically demanding work. Crews often work in inclement weather conditions, frequently navigating rough, unpaved roads in 4×4 vehicles, and carrying heavy loads (40 lbs.) by foot over rugged, mountainous terrain. Primitive camping is required on occasion. Cell phone service is limited but crews are provided with a satellite device for safety. 

UM supplies all necessary monitoring equipment, including vehicles, to carry out the work.  

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. Applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, ability and perspectives are encouraged to apply. 

Position Details 

• Position is full time, temporary (< 4 months). 
• Compensation is $22-24 per hour.
• All positions include (tax-free):
  • Field Equipment (kept by employee upon completion of field season, up to $300 value)
  • Benefits include Worker’s Compensation coverage, two paid holidays and accrual of sick leave (available after 90 days). 

Qualifications 

Education and Experience 

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, botany, soil science, range ecology, natural resources management, or related subject. 
• A minimum of two full field seasons or one full year collecting vegetation and soils data in desert, sagebrush-steppe, grassland or similar plant community (BLM Terrestrial AIM experience preferred). A completed master’s degree with field work can satisfy this requirement. 

Preferred Technical Skills 

• Experience identifying rangeland plants to species in the field using a dichotomous key (e.g., Flora of the Pacific Northwest, Hitchcock and Cronquist), including challenging taxa, such as Poaceae and Asteraceae. Crews may encounter 60-90 plant species in a single plot, in various phenological states.  
• Familiarity with commonly accepted plant nomenclature and taxonomy. 
• Experience preparing and organizing voucher and herbarium specimens. 
• Ability to describe soil horizons, textures and stability and collect soil samples for analysis. 
• Careful attention to detail. 
• Experience carrying out data quality checks. 
• Experience following established field protocols to conduct sampling and field data collection. 
• Experience with data entry and management using electronic devices. 
• Experience navigating off-trail with compass and GPS. 
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and preferably with Collector for ArcGIS and Survey123. 
• Experience driving 4WD trucks, especially on rough and unmaintained roads. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record (DUI or other serious convictions need not apply).  
• Certification in CPR and Wilderness First Aid. 

Professional Skills 

• Experience supervising technicians, volunteers or undergraduate students. Leadership in a volunteer or community organization, or in the military, can satisfy this requirement. 
• Demonstrated ability to resolve interpersonal conflict during stressful situations. 
• Ability to interact with stakeholders and partners in a professional manner. 
• Experience managing gear and equipment for a crew, lab class, team, etc. 
• Demonstrated ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and to work independently as required. 
• Commitment to an entire field season. 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to carry 35 pounds in a backpack over rugged mountainous terrain, off-trail, for up to eight (8) miles a day, gaining up to 2000 ft. of elevation per day.  
• Ability to dig soil pits in rocky and dense clay soils (70 cm deep). 
• Willingness and ability to maintain a positive attitude in field conditions that include exposure to inclement weather, cold or hot weather (20°F–110°F), rugged terrain, mosquitos, venomous snakes, bears and other wildlife, lightning, wildfire, etc., all while maintaining a strong commitment to team safety required. 
• Willingness to work irregular hours in harsh environments and challenging weather conditions. 

Training 

These positions are ideal for people who are committed to ongoing learning and development. You will receive paid training on AIM protocols and associated methodology. UM ecologists will also provide additional training on safety protocols and plant identification for the area in which you will be working, and ongoing field-based support and training from specialists during the field season. You will have the opportunity to interact with seasoned staff scientists from both the BLM and UM throughout training and field work.  

Employment Eligibility.  All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).