Crew Lead: Vegetation Monitoring on Colorado's Western Slope

Locations in Colorado:  

Tres Rios BLM Field Office in Dolores (1 position)*

Uncompahgre BLM Field Office in Montrose (3 positions)* † 

Grand Junction BLM Field Office (1 position)* 

April 3, 2023-November 3, 2023* 

April 3, 2023-March 29, 2024†  

 Salary:

Benefits:   

Hiring Benefits:  Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions for a federal agency. Eligible to be used for two years upon completion of term. Must be under age 31 upon issue of certificate.  

Southwest Conservation Corps’s Mission 

It is the mission of the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment.   

Bureau of Land Management’s Mission 

The Bureau of Land Management's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. 

Program Overview: 

Crews conduct vegetation monitoring using the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, & Monitoring (AIM) methodology. More information on the BLM’s AIM strategy can be found on the AIM website: http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/. Crews typically consist of three individuals: two crew members and one crew lead. Together, they monitor land health (i.e., soil and vegetation) on BLM lands including National Monument lands, vegetation treatments, burn scars, rangeland allotments, or reference areas using AIM methodology. 

Crews undergo extensive technical training and orientation to SCC culture for the first 4+ weeks in the Field Office and at sites on the CO western slope. The rest of the term is typically routine, with the goal to sample a target number of plots using the AIM methodology. 

Within all plots, the crew identify vegetation to species, gather species cover and composition data using line-point intercept and gap measurements, measure soil stability, and describe the site and soil pits (50%). All data are georeferenced and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase. Data are entered into a database on site with ruggedized tablets to be later synthesized into various reports for future land management planning. The crew may also assist with other public land management projects involving wildlife, range, recreation, rare plant monitoring, or forestry (5%), contingent on sampling productivity and BLM staff availability.   

Crews maintain and track botanical specimens of known and unknown species throughout the field season and keep records updated as needed. The crew lead will continuously learn the local flora and build botanical knowledge. The crew lead should be curious about the soils, botanical, and other natural systems and have a passion to grow and share that curiosity and knowledge with fellow crew member(s). 

Crews are based out of BLM Field Office buildings, and will be under the direct mentorship and technical guidance of BLM staff personnel. This position uniquely provides the opportunity to develop relationships within and become familiar with the workings of the agency. 

Fieldwork is in remote areas. Crews are required to drive a company or government vehicle to several different areas of the Field Office and hike several miles per day, off trail, carrying equipment (25%) throughout a “hitch”. Hitches are typically 10 hour days, either 8 days on/6 days off or 4 days on/3 days off. They usually camp multiple nights and share camp meals and chores. One should be personally prepared to occasionally visit the field only for a day trip, returning to town that night in preparation for the next work day.  Camping out as the default is expected. Some crews camp more than others due to various factors. An unconventional schedule and a level of flexibility are necessary to be successful. 

Crews return to the office for equipment and data management, unknown plant identification, and field work planning (20%). 

Housing is not provided, but we are glad to talk through your options with you in the interview and onward. Certain BLM FOs have limited partially subsidized housing or domicile parking available. For those lacking personal camping gear, we may be able to loan you gear.  

As we are a partnership with a federal agency, we are subject to halting work and pay in the case of a government shutdown, and backpay is not typical. 

Crew Lead’s Responsibilities 

The Crew Lead takes ownership of, supports, and manages the field crew’s risk management, schedule, scientific integrity, efficiency, and professional development. Plans accordingly to reach sampling volume target by end of field season. Consistently exercises discretion and judgment. Coordinates and delegates field logistics, hitch plans, food budget scheduling, crew tasks, debriefs, and management of the crew’s equipment. Provides and asks for feedback to and from crew members regarding performance. 

The Crew Lead is the primary contact between the crew and the SCC supervisor and the crew and BLM staff. Completes administrative tasks. Holds a company credit card and documents spending. Before, during, and after field data collection, the Lead is responsible for the organization and quality control of all AIM data collected in Field Maps for ArcGIS.  

At the end of the season, the Crew Lead may analyze, interpret, or make deductions for varying data, and will report data to various BLM offices and stakeholders. Especially in the longer contracts, written reports are completed and involve the presentation of scientific data and pre/post treatment analysis. The Crew Lead should be passionate about sound science principles and plant identification, be an advocate for the AIM program in the Field Office, and have a willingness to learn about how AIM data could be used in range, forestry, fire and wildlife programs within the BLM. The crew lead should be passionate about facilitating the crew members’ experience similarly. 

Minimal Qualifications: 

Preferred Qualifications:  

Public Land Corps:  

The Public Land Corps program provides the opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 30 years to work on conservation projects on public lands. Participants must successfully complete 640 hours that include at least 120 hours on federal lands through the PLC. PLC members are not federal government employees, but those who successfully complete the PLC requirements are then eligible to use, for two years, a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions.  

We accept applicants with a range of backgrounds. This entry-level position is part of a developmental program that receives plenty of support. In your application, please write about how your experiences, personality, and motivations could make you a great fit, even if you don’t think you are the conventional candidate. 

Application involves 1) cover letter, 2) resume/CV, 3) at least two academic or professional, non-peer references, and 4) screening questions.  

No letter of recommendation is needed. Incomplete applications are given less weight. Please apply with your full legal name, preferred name, and pronouns.  

 SCC offers several Ecological Monitoring crew positions across Colorado and New Mexico, mostly performing the terrestrial AIM methodology. If interested in multiple locations, please mention and rank location (dis)interest in both the application questionnaire and cover letter. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  

 We are accepting applications and offering interviews now. Feel free to reach out to Ecological Monitoring Program Manager Cassandra Owen (she/her/hers) at cowen@conservationlegacy.org with questions.