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Biological Technician (Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge)

Description:

The Great Basin Institute AmeriCorps Program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is recruiting one Biological Technician at Deer Flat NWR. The technician would participate in all aspects of the Deer Flat NWR invasive species/habitat restoration programs for the 2023 season, including the following priority projects:

•Invasive species mapping and EDRR species surveillance (April to July)
•Invasive species treatment (April to July)
•Wetland plant inventory (May to July)
•Retired agricultural field restoration (April to September)
•Wet meadow restoration for pollinators (continuous)
•Native plant seed collection (June to September)

Through these projects, the technician will gain a broad understanding of the invasive species issues facing the Intermountain West, and the tools/methods available for prevention, surveillance, detection/ monitoring, control, and restoration. These projects span habitats (shrub-steppe, wet meadow, wetland, and riparian), and the fallow ag field restoration project will expose the member to the entire process of a strategic habitat restoration including training on prevention/biosecurity; noxious weed inventory and mapping; invasive species control; native grass and forb restoration; and quantitative monitoring methods. 

The technician will also have the opportunity to participate in the following projects:
•Waterfowl banding (August to September)
•Bald eagle nest monitoring (continuous)
•Western and Clark’s Grebe Monitoring (May – September)

The technician would receive the following formal training as a part of this position: ATV/UTV training course, upland and noxious weed identification course, and herbicide application license.


Contract Timeline:

•20-week duration beginning late April/early May 2023 (to early/mid Sep)
•40 hours/week


Location:

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, established in 1909 by Theodore Roosevelt. Nestled between the Owyhee Mountains and the lovely city of Nampa, it encompasses over 11,000 acres. The Refuge provides a mix of wildlife habitats from the open waters, wetland edges, and sagebrush uplands of the Lake Lowell Unit to the sagebrush uplands, grasslands, and riparian forests on the Snake River Islands Unit.


Compensation and Benefits:

•Total Living Allowance: Approximately $500-$700 biweekly before taxes
•Education Award: $2,474.27 upon successful completion (May be used for past, present or future educational expenses, including payment of qualifying federal student loans.)
•Free on-site housing available
•Medical, dental, and vision insurance provided at no cost to employee


Job Qualifications:

Technical requirements:

•Knowledge and interest in botany and plant identification
•Prior experience with invasive plant management preferred; 
•Willingness to utilize chemical herbicide treatment methods;
•Experience utilizing hand-held GPS units and/or PDRs for navigation and/or data collections, along with basic computer skills;
•Ability to carry backpack sprayer or up to 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition;
•Experience operating 4WD trucks on and off-road, including mountain forest roads;
•Knowledge and experience in operating off highway vehicles, which includes Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), desirable; and
•Experience with towing and backing-up a trailer, desirable.


Additional requirements: 

•Ability to self-direct and self-motivate;
•Possess good organizational skills;
•Tolerant of working in variable weather conditions, willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, and able to hike 2-5+ miles daily on uneven terrain;
•Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and follow safe working practices;
•Communicate effectively with a diverse public; and
•Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record. 
•The successful applicant(s) must complete the following background checks: (1) AmeriCorps Criminal History Check (state and federal), (2) National Sex Offender registry check, and (3) USDA Forest Service background investigation.