Crew Member: Ecological Monitoring (Vegetation & Soil Survey) in Las Cruces, NM - Las Cruces, New Mexico
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Las Cruces, New Mexico Ag Jobs
| Job Ref: | 57057743 |
| Employer: | Ag Jobs |
| Company Name: | Conservation Legacy |
| Category: |
Biotech – R&D – Science
Equipment - Machinery Horticulture Information Technology – IT Livestock Maintenance – Repair Operations Quality Control Training – Education Trucking – Logistics – Transportation |
| Job Type: | Full Time |
Location | |
| Country: | United States |
| State: | New Mexico |
| City: | Las Cruces |
| Map: | United States, New Mexico, Las Cruces (Show on map) |
Description | |
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Job Description Ecological Monitoring (Vegetation & Soil Survey) with Southwest Conservation Corps in partnership with The Bureau of Land Management Position Title: Crew Member Bureau of Land Management Office Location: Las Cruces District Office (Located in Las Cruces, NM) Program Dates: April 15th-December 20th, 2024. (36 weeks) We prefer candidates who can attend and commit to the full term. Weekly Schedule: Hitches vary between 8 days on/6 days off and 4 days on/3 days off, camping with a government or company vehicle most nights. Office days will occur regularly throughout the season, with more near the end. Living Allowance: $600-$640/week DOE Plus Housing Allowance: $140/week. Housing allowance may be lower if Member secures agency-subsidized housing. Benefits:
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. Position Overview: Crews conduct vegetation monitoring using the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, & Monitoring (AIM) methodology. To dive deeper into the AIM methodology, visit the following websites: https://www.blm.gov/aim/. Crews typically consist of three individuals: two crew members and one crew lead. Together, they monitor land health on BLM lands, including National Monument lands, vegetation treatments, burn scars, rangeland allotments, and wilderness study areas. In collecting data, observing the soil, and examining the diverse vegetation using the AIM methodology, crews contribute to a massive, publicly available dataset that is used by land managers and in academia to inform and assess land management decisions. Our crews begin the season with intensive technical training and SCC cultural orientation at the BLM office and various sites within the state. After this foundational period, the term is characterized by routine fieldwork to sample a target number of plots using the AIM methodology. Within each plot, our crew members are tasked with identifying vegetation to species, recording species cover and composition data via line-point intercept and gap measurements, evaluating soil stability, and describing site conditions and soil pits. The crew's data is georeferenced and entered into an ArcGIS database using ruggedized tablets. These records will be later synthesized for critical land management planning reports. Our crew members are also responsible for maintaining and cataloging botanical specimens throughout the field season. As the season progresses, members cultivate a deep understanding of the diversity of the local flora, learning tens to hundreds of plants by scientific name. Curiosity about the natural systems they encounter and a desire to share that curiosity and knowledge with their team are prerequisites for success. Our crews operate from BLM Field Office bases, working directly with BLM personnel who provide invaluable mentorship to early-career individuals, investing in the future of natural resource management. This position offers an opportunity to build relationships within the agency and gain an understanding of its operations. The crew may also contribute to other public land management projects, encompassing wildlife, range, recreation, rare plant monitoring, and forestry. Fieldwork is a dynamic experience, with crews navigating remote areas spanning the diverse ecosystems of the Southwest. Our teams must be prepared to drive long distances in company or government vehicles to various Field Office locations, hike several miles daily, often off the beaten path, while carrying equipment. These "hitches" involve long 10-hour workdays, with schedules typically structured as 8 days on and 6 days off or 4 days on and 3 days off. Camping for multiple nights and sharing camp duties is the norm, though occasional day trips may require a return to town at night in preparation for the next day's work. It's important to note that camping is the standard arrangement. Given the unconventional and occasionally unpredictable schedule, adaptability is necessary for success. Fieldwork is, by nature, challenging, and we seek individuals who thrive outside their comfort zones. While camping, our crews should foster a positive and functional crew culture during and after project hours, recognizing the significance of attending to personal needs. At the end of a hitch, crews return to the office for equipment management, data processing, unknown plant identification, and fieldwork planning (20%). Please note that we do not provide housing, but we can discuss your options during the interview and hiring processes. If you still need some pieces of personal camping gear by the start of the season, we can loan the necessary equipment until you can acquire your own. It's essential to be aware that, as a partnership with a federal agency, we are subject to potential work stoppages and a lack of backpay in the event of a government shutdown. Crew Member's Responsibilities: The crew member actively contributes to data collection, management, and quality control. They assist with hitch preparation, planning, crew transportation using work vehicles, navigation to designated plots, equipment maintenance, and practical time tracking and management. Continuously, they expand their knowledge of local flora, soils, and landscapes, enhancing their expertise in botany, soil science, and the broader ecosystem. The crew member takes the initiative to communicate and pursue their personal and professional development goals throughout the season. We seek individuals who consistently demonstrate discretion and judgment, embracing the responsibility of identifying, communicating, and proactively addressing safety issues. Whether these issues are technical, logistical, or interpersonal, the crew member partakes in problem identification, communication, and resolution. We expect their proactive approach and active involvement at every step. Furthermore, they complete mid-term and end-of-term written evaluations, both for self-assessment and for the crew lead. The crew member maintains effective and professional communication, fostering feedback systems among their fellow crew members. We value crew members who are passionate about sound scientific principles and are genuinely curious about the potential applications of AIM data. These individuals are driven to explore the intricacies of our natural world, recognizing the immense value of their contributions to preserving and understanding our precious ecosystems. Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Public Land Corps: The Public Land Corps (PLC) program provides the opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 30 (civilian) or 35 (veteran) years to work on conservation projects on public lands. Participants must complete 640 hours, which include at least 120 hours on federal lands through the PLC. PLC-certified alumni are not federal government employees, but they are then eligible to use, for two years, a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions. https://www.blm.gov/careers/students-and-grads/public-lands-corps To apply, go to the position announcement HERE and click "APPLY" at the bottom. 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 a conventional candidate. PLEASE make sure that your cover letter and resume file names are named using the following format: Lastname_Firstname_AIM_CoverLetter and Lastname_Firstname_AIM_Resume Example: Smith_John_AIM_CoverLetter Application involves 1) cover letter, 2) resume or CV, 3) at least two academic or professional, non-peer reference contacts, 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 performing the terrestrial AIM methodology. If you are interested in multiple locations, please describe your preference in the application questionnaire and the 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 Coordinator Michaela Grubb (she/her/hers) at mgrubb@conservationlegacy.org with questions. Keywords: ecological monitoring, botany, plants, botanical surveys, vegetation monitoring | |
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