Upland and Riparian/Aquatics Team Members

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bureau of Land Management, is seeking Two Upland and Riparian/Aquatics Team Members to contribute to Upland and Riparian/Aquatic habitat monitoring projects alongside the Vale District BLM Staff.

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

Start Date: May 2024

Estimated End Date: 26 weeks after the start date

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Vale, OR

The main duty station for this position will be Vale, OR. Some work, no more than 10%, may occur out of the Baker City, OR office, so travel will be required for this position. The Vale District is 5.2 million acres and has lands boarding Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. Much of the work will be accomplished in very remote locations on rugged terrain that require a 4×4 truck to access, it may take 4 hours of driving to reach a work site. Because of the long drive times it may be necessary to work 12 hour days to complete the work. Members will need to be able to spend multiple nights away in the field, either camping or staying in government provided bunkhouses. Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees from June through August, there are few shade trees at the work sites so sun/heat tolerance is a must.

Vale, OR has a rich ranching and rural history; there are ample rodeos and county fairs to attend during the summer. Nearby Weiser, ID annually hosts the national old-time fiddle competition in June. Outdoor recreation near Vale is expansive with public lands surrounding the area ranging from arid desert to montane ecosystems. Although abundant, facilitated trails and access are limited, with just a few established hiking trails, most recreation requires horses or all-terrain vehicles for access. It is 1.5 hours driving to the W, N or E to reach forested recreation. Shopping is limited in Vale (grocery store, hardware store, and gas stations), but Ontario OR, 20 minutes to the E provides a larger selection including a natural foods store. If you are willing to travel 1 hour you are in the Boise, ID area with unlimited cultural events and shopping opportunities. For more information about Vale District Office: Please visit Vale District Office for further location details.

Position Overview:

Duties for Botany include monitoring upland vegetation within areas previously burned by wildfire using established protocols. Monitoring would occur at established points within projects, though there will be a need to establish some new plots. Monitoring will entail identifying plants and recording data on forms. Other fieldwork may include monitoring upland vegetation in Research Natural Areas. The office portion for Botany will include managing the data collected and assisting with summarizing the data for annual reports.

Duties for Riparian/Aquatics include monitoring riparian vegetation, geomorphic, and water quality attributes to ensure management objectives for habitat and watershed function are being met. Site visits will entail navigating to established remote sites, 1-5 mile hikes on steep rocky terrain, identifying riparian plant species, filling out site forms according to protocol, and entering data into specific BLM databases. Additional hydrology tasks include establishment of new monitoring transects and water quality stations with mentor. The office portion of Riparian/Aquatics will include managing Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) databases for Vale District. The MIM database is based in Microsoft Access with embedded macros to calculate measured metrics and statistics. Spatial data will be entered into GIS using OR/WA BLM Aquatic Data Tools.

The majority of the work to be accomplished will be completed in the field.

• Gather field information to inform the success of post fire treatments and assess the health of vegetation post fire.
• Monitor riparian vegetation, geomorphic, and water quality attributes to ensure management objectives for habitat and watershed function are being met. Parameters measured on each waterbody are used to inform compliance with the Endangered Species Act-Section 7 Consultation, Land Use Plans, and policy set forth by state and national regulatory agencies.

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: Anticipated work schedule will be Monday through Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm Mountain Time Zone. Days and hours may vary throughout the position and there is some room for occasional flexibility in the work schedule for specific circumstances.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/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 BLM.

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $138 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses. A car is necessary if you want to venture outside of Vale.

Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

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 4×4 driving, Upland monitoring protocols, Riparian/Aquatic monitoring and inventory protocols (MIM, PFC, Aquatic AIM), Use of Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) database (Microsoft Access), Minimal training in the use of ArcPro (GIS) will be available so a base understanding of ArcGIS/ArcPro is preferred.

Qualifications

Applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelor’s degree in a natural resource field, and have experience with botany or aquatics, either in the field or through coursework. 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

BLM Required:

• Must have a high fitness level and an interest in camping, with potential for backcountry work trips.
• Ability to work alone/in a small group with minimal supervision
• Experience and/or ability to learn use of a tablet for data collection and navigation
• Must be able and willing to work outdoors in rugged terrain and be capable of lifting 50 lbs.
• Must be able to operate 4×4 vehicles and drive on back country roads.
• Must have completed a plant taxonomy class or aquatic ecology related class
• Must be able to take initiative, work independently, and participate in collaborative efforts
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professional
• Pass a federal background check

Preferred:

• Experience with ArcGIS and Database management
• Competent with maps and navigation
• Base understanding of watershed management or stream ecology

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 BLM or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to BLM and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.