Rangeland Management Technician (BLM – Casper, WY)

In cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management Casper Field Office, Great Basin Institute is recruiting two (2) Rangeland Management Technician to join our Research Associate (RA) program. This 16-week position will focus on conducting rangeland ecology monitoring and management duties under the guidance and mentorship of the Casper FO Rangeland Management Specialist(s). Information compiled by the Technician will be used in conducting assessments of vegetation conditions and will enhance BLM’s efforts to meet multiple-resource management goals and objectives. The primary duties of the Rangeland Monitoring Technician will include assisting the BLM Rangeland Management Specialist(s) with some or all of the following:

• Reviewing current and expired grazing leases and their corresponding files for deficiencies;
• Preparing the appropriate forms to initiate new grazing lease(s);
• Utilizing appropriate databases to enter data and ensuring field data collection forms are filed appropriately;
• Assisting with implementation of vegetative monitoring within the Casper Field Office, including coordinating the development of a monitoring, communication, and implementation plan to enable completion of summer field work assignments;
• Conducting assessment, inventory, monitoring and/or implementation related tasks; and
• Serving as a technical liaison between field team(s) and GBI/BLM resource staff.

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation: $18.75/hour.

Benefits:                                                                                                    

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Timeline:

• 16-week appointment, pending successful completion and passage of federal background check prior to start date; and
• Full-time (40 hrs/wk).

Location:

Based in Casper, WY, in the vicinity of Casper Mountain and southern Big Horns. The Casper Field Office manages 1,326,733 million acres of public land for diverse resources and uses, including National Historic Trails, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking and livestock grazing.

Qualifications:

• At least two (2) seasons of field experience in botany, biology, ecology, or other related field;
• Experience identifying rangeland plants to species and subspecies and noxious and invasive plants in the Rocky Mountain region;
• Knowledge of the basic methods, techniques, and procedures necessary to conduct vegetation inventories, monitoring studies, as well as data storage, retrieval, and analysis;
• Experience conducting population surveys;
• Ability to carry a backpack sprayer (30 lbs) over rough terrain and spray weeds;
• Ability to use GPS/GIS or other technology to collect, organize and display field data;
• Technical writing skills that communicate scientific results effectively and efficiently;
• Experience with internet-based data management systems;
• Experience with GIS geodatabase management;
• Familiarity with the NRCS soil survey descriptions;
• Ability to conduct field work across rugged terrain, carry personal and technical field equipment, and withstand inclement weather conditions;
• Ability to be self-motivated and willing to accomplish objectives independently with minimal supervision;
• Ability to participate in supporting an interdisciplinary team comprising various BLM resource specialists; and
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.