Natural Resources Field Team Technician (CARE)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service and Capitol Reef National Park, is recruiting 1 lead natural resources Technician under GBI’s Research Associate Program. The technician will support the Capitol Reef National Park Division of Resource Management & Science and serve as the lead member of the natural resources monitoring crew conducting surveys of federally listed plants, rangeland forage species, native species seed collection, Mexican spotted owls, neotropical migrants, bighorn sheep, and riparian ecosystems. The position will also include data management, quality assurance and control, data summary and reporting, and maintenance of monitoring field equipment and tools. 

Primary responsibilities for vegetation field work will include leading and organizing other technicians in surveys associated with listed and endemic plants, general vegetation and rangeland monitoring and collection of native seeds for restoration projects, assisting with revegetation projects and collecting data or assisting in implementing NPS funded research projects. Training in field protocols and methodologies will be provided. A general knowledge of plants, in particular grasses, of the southwest is helpful but is not required. Vertebrate species work will include placement and retrieval of acoustic and game camera monitoring devices, assisting at a MAPS banding station, participating in avian surveys, and setting small mammal traps.  Team members will utilize GPS units to navigate to field sites and survey plots.  In the office, field team members will use computer software, including MS Access, Excel and various ESRI products (Survey 123, Field Maps, ArcGIS), to organize, manage and summarize field data. 

Survey work requires attention to detail, long hours in the field in remote areas of the park, hiking off trail 2 to 10 miles per day, camping and possibly backpacking. Weather conditions will vary from cold winds or rain in the early spring to temperatures nearing 100° F in the summer. Other challenging field conditions include high winds and gnats or other biting insects. Experience driving four-wheel drive vehicles on high clearance, dirt roads would be beneficial, but is not essential. Office work consists of entering data into an Access database and Excel spreadsheet, labeling photos, summarizing datasets, and GIS.  The Technicians must be able to work well with other team members and ensure that safety protocols are adhered to. Work includes operating vehicles to transport team members and equipment safely on high clearance dirt roads in NPS four-wheel drive vehicles and assist with completing weekly reporting of accomplishments. The Technicians will work to ensure that all GBI and NPS policies are adhered to.

The Technician may also assist natural resource staff with a variety of other vertebrate and invertebrate species surveys, invasive plant control and mapping, restoration/revegetation, assessment and monitoring of disturbed areas and riparian condition assessments.  Technicians will be supervised by the park Biologist.

Contract Timeline:
37- week appointment (March 3, 2024 – Nov 16, 2024)

Location:
Capitol Reef National Park is located near Torrey, UT. The location is remote. The nearest gas station is 10 miles away and the nearest grocery store is approximately 30 miles away. A personal vehicle is required for travel/transport outside of work. No cell service is available in housing or near the duty station. WiFi is available in park housing. Reliable cellular service is found when nearing Torrey. The intern should find living in a remote location desirable. Located in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef is filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges. In addition to unique geological resources and spectacular scenery, the park also has a rich cultural history.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage: up to $15.50/hr for 37 week appointment (allocated biweekly)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost
• Camping Per Diem: $35/day (when applicable)
• Housing: The Park will provide housing in a 5-6-bedroom dormitory. The interns will have a private room with a shared bath, shared kitchen and common areas. The dormitory includes all appliances, washer and dryer, some kitchen pots, pans and dishes, and internet service. Heat, electricity and water are included. A phone is available in each dorm and long distance calls can be made with a calling card. Housing is located approximately a 5-minute walk from the duty station.

Job Qualifications:

Technical requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Plant Taxonomy, Wildlife, Range Management or other related field, or combination of related coursework in and direct experience and knowledge of plant taxonomy and ecology, including use of technical botanical keys (dichotomous plant key without pictures)
• Familiarity with plants of the Colorado Plateau, including endemic, threatened and endangered plants, preferable; knowledge of native grasses also highly desirable.
• Experience identifying birds by call and conducting avian surveys is desirable.
• Experience with small mammal trapping, use of acoustic recording devices or game cameras for wildlife surveys is desirable.
• Familiarity with, or proven ability and desire to learn, specific State and Federal laws and Park Service policies related to plants;
• Experience (one year) conducting floristic field surveys or vegetation monitoring (e.g., repeat photography, or transect and quadrat systematic sampling) is desirable.
• Experience with invasive plant control is (highly desirable, but not required).
• Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and data collection;
• Knowledge of GIS software (highly desirable, but not required);
• Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project/grant reports;
• Experience using digital cameras and computer software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Access, Excel); and

Additional requirements:

• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, GBI and agency staff, and a diverse public;
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging, bending over, hauling material, hiking);
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition;
• Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field, if necessary;
• Good organizational skills; and
• Valid, state-issued driver’s license; clean driving record; and ability to safely operate a 4WD truck on paved and unpaved roads, including narrow, sandy or muddy desert roads.