Noxious Weeds and Plant Monitoring Team Members

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bureau of Land Management, is seeking Two Members to contribute to the Noxious Weeds project alongside Bureau of Land Management Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: April/May 2024

Estimated End Date: November 2024

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Roseburg, Oregon

There are numerous hiking, camping, and water sport opportunities on lands managed by Roseburg BLM, Umpqua National Forest, and Crater Lake National Park. The many rivers and lakes within western Oregon provide both whitewater and flat-water boating opportunities. The North Umpqua River east of Roseburg is internationally recognized for its fishing. The larger communities of Eugene, Medford, and Portland are one, two, and three hour drives, respectively, from Roseburg. These cities have airports and all the amenities of larger communities including large music and theater venues.

The town of Roseburg is located at an elevation of 465 feet. Average temperatures range from a low of 36 degrees in the winter to a high of 86 degrees in the summer. Some 100 degree days are to be expected in the summer. Average annual rainfall is approximately 33 inches. Snowfall on the valley floor is unusual, and summer humidity and precipitation are very low.

The BLM Roseburg District stretches from the foothills of the coastal range to the foothills of the Cascade mountains. Much of the terrain is steep and uneven. Vegetation ranges from forests dominated by Douglas-fir to oak woodland and grasslands. Poison oak is common in non-forested sites. Ticks are common, especially in grassy or shrubby areas. Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are known to occur within the area. Some field locations have poor or no cell-phone reception; however, the BLM will supply two-way radios with excellent coverage and dispatch support. Most BLM roads are natural dirt- or gravel-surfaced. After completing a driving assessment conducted by the BLM, the Members will drive government owned vehicles.

For more information about Roseburg District Office, please visit https://www.blm.gov/office/roseburg-district-office.

Position Overview: This position will support the Roseburg District’s invasive plants management program. The work will be in support of various activities taking place on the Roseburg District, including timber, riparian restoration, recreation, and post-fire Burned Area Rehabilitation. Additional projects will take place at varying sites including Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), recreation sites, and habitat management areas such as the North Bank Habitat Management Area, a 6,000 acre (ACEC) managed for Columbian white-tailed deer habitat and several rare plant species.

Primary duties:

• Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (including loppers and hand saw).
• Spot application of General Use Herbicides (with oversight by Pesticide Applicator Certified staff)
• Survey and map noxious weed infestations.
• Monitor noxious weed treatment areas to determine efficacy of treatments and need for future treatments.
• Assist with other biological work as opportunities and interest allows.

Additional duties include but are not limited to:

• Planting native plants and seed in conjunction with ongoing projects including stream restoration, habitat improvements, and burned area rehabilitation.
• Vegetation monitoring (e.g. rare plant and invasive species monitoring at North Bank Habitat Management Area).
• Mobile data collection and GIS data management.
• Data entry and organization.

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.

Schedule: The work schedules will generally be five 8 hour days with weekends off. Some summer projects may require four 10 hour day work weeks. This will be primarily a field going position.

Position Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the Bureau of Land Management and ACE and is not flexible.
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
• Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Bureau of Land Management.
• Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $100.00 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.
• Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $620.00 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
• Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $500.00 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, [over the ankle boots, rubber boots, rain gear], and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.
• Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include identification of vascular plants in Western Oregon, use of a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit and GIS (Geographic Information System) software, appropriate treatment methods for target noxious weeds, and vegetation survey and monitoring techniques. Members will be provided the opportunity to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator’s License and/or BLM Integrated Pest Management Certification; training and support will be provided to help members acquire the license. In addition, the Members will have opportunities to interact with a variety of BLM specialists and learn about public land management issues.

Qualifications

Applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelor’s degree in a natural resource field, and have experience with botany, either in the field or through coursework. Prior outdoor field experience is preferred. This is a demanding outdoor position that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility, participation in the field, and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions.

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree in natural resource field and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, botany, ecology or related subject.
• All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered.
• Knowledge of Botany in an academic and/or field setting.
• Strong writing, communication and organizational skills
• Ability to follow biological protocols and procedures
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions.
• Commitment to completing tasks thoroughly and on time.
• Skills and abilities to resolved full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in a field or office setting.
• Prior experience in herbicide application.
• Experience using hand tools for physical removal of invasive species or related tasks.
• Workplace experience following protocols in support of biological surveys.
• Deep interest in Botany, Habitat Management, or Noxious and Invasive Plant Management.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: This position requires physical exertion such as hiking long distances over hot, wet and rough terrain while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment and may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Primarily outdoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.
• Ability to wear a backpack style herbicide applicator for long periods.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Bureau of Land Management, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to Bureau of Land Management and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.