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Invasive Plants Survey Technician – Great Basin Institute
(CA) Bridgeport, (NV) Austin, Carson City, Wells, Ely, Las Vegas, Paradise Valley, Nevada
Invasive plants have been identified as a major threat to the biological diversity and ecological integrity in and near the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (HTNF). Invasive plants displace native plants; reduce the forest’s capacity for carbon sequestration, reduce habitat and forage for wildlife and livestock; diminishing populations of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species; alter soil properties and productivity; change the intensity and frequency of wildfires; and impact recreation opportunities.
The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, is recruiting (15) AmeriCorps Biological Science Technicians to participate in non-native, invasive plant species survey, treatment, and monitoring for the forest’s noxious weed control program. The primary focus of this position will be the manual and chemical treatment of invasive and noxious weeds. Most of this work is conducted using backpack sprayers, UTVs, and large 4WD spray vehicles traveling on remote 4WD roads. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be supplied by the Forest Service and always utilized by Technicians. A tablet with FieldMaps, Avenza Maps, and EDDMapS West will be used to record plant populations. A Garmin InReach device will be provided for added safety measures.
Primary duties:
- Treat invasive plant infestations (Treatments primarily involve using herbicides but may also be accomplished by hand-pulling and/or using hand tools, power tools, mowers, and other standardized control methods);
- Identify non-native plant species using various field guides and survey methods for target plants;
- Collect data on infestation location and status;
- Accurately record data related to invasive plant treatments according to specific protocols; and
- Perform basic mathematical calculations related to herbicide mixing and applications.
Additional Experience Opportunities:
- Learning new monitoring methods and participating in range and ecology vegetation surveying.
- Post-fire restoration efforts.
- Improving GIS skills through database management.
- Assistance with federal resume building and navigating USAJobs.
Although a small portion of time may be dedicated to data entry and other office tasks, this is primarily a field-based position which requires physical labor and daily hiking. Technicians will often navigate using GPS, topographic maps, and/or compass to remote locations in rugged terrain under possible adverse weather conditions.
A training session, including plant identification, herbicide safety, use of tablets and associated software, UTV operation, trailer towing, and first aid, will be provided at the beginning of the field season.
