Crew Members: Ecological and Botanical Survey in Carlsbad and Roswell, New Mexico
Position 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%). Data are georeferenced and entered into an ArcGIS database on site with ruggedized tablets, to be later synthesized into various reports for future land management planning.
- Crews will maintain and track botanical specimens of known and unknown species throughout the field season and keep records updated as needed. The crew member will continuously learn the local flora and build botanical knowledge. The crew member should be curious about the natural systems they encounter and have a passion to grow and share that curiosity and knowledge with their teammates.
- 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, depending on crew preference. Trips to the field are mostly day trips, returning to town each night, though a couple of camping hitches are necessary. An unconventional schedule and a level of flexibility are necessary to be successful.
- With the unconventional and sometimes unexpected schedule, a level of flexibility is necessary to be successful. Fieldwork, by nature, is challenging, and we need folks who can be taken outside of their comfort zones. Especially while camping, crews should be willing to cultivate a positive, functional crew culture both during and outside of project hours. Because of the amount of time spent together, crew members should maintain awareness of their personal needs, too.
- Crews return to the office for equipment and data management, unknown plant identification, and field work planning (20%). 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.
- 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 Member’s Responsibilities:
- Participates in and contributes to all aspects of data collection, management, and quality control. Participates in and contributes to hitch preparation and planning, transportation of crew in the work vehicle, navigation to plots, equipment maintenance, and time tracking/management. Continuously learns the local flora and soils and builds botanical, soils, and landscape knowledge. Takes an active role in communicating their personal and professional development goals throughout the season.
- Consistently exercises discretion and judgment. Takes an active role in identifying, communicating, and maintaining awareness of, and mitigating safety issues. Identifies, communicates, and solves problems ranging from technical, logistical, and interpersonal as they arise. Initiative and participation are expected at every step. Completes mid-term and end-of-term written evaluations for self and crew lead. Maintains adequate and professional communication and systems of feedback between fellow crew folk. The crew member should be passionate about sound science principles and have curiosity as to how the AIM data might be utilized.