Regional Job Board

Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species Specialist – Great Basin Institute

Reno, Nevada

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, is recruiting a Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species Program Specialist, housed within the BLM Nevada State Office in Reno, NV (remote option may be considered). Under the direction of the BLM 1170 program lead, the selected candidate will assist with tasks related to BLM special status species, including BLM sensitive and T&E species, ESA, reporting, and presentations. This includes development of conservation strategies/plans that include best management practices.

Duties Include:

• Planning and implementing actions related to conservation and restoration of Nevada wildlife and plant resources, and their habitats.
• Maintain databases and summarize data.
• Develop outreach tools to share with wildlife, range and botany staff at BLM. Compile a Special Status Species (SSS) desk guide for the 1170 program (Wildlife, Fisheries, T&E, Sage-Grouse, Plant Conservation Programs ). This will act as a resource on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for new and current biologists and NEPA planners.
• Develop the 1170 special status species Sharepoint.
• Develop habitat accounts for special status species. Compile special status species reference guides for habitat and survey timing.
• Create maps and habitat models.
• Develop protocols for T&E and sensitive baseline surveys. Work with BLM GIS and 1170 staff to manage the BLM Nevada Special Status Species Observations ArcGIS Online groups. Provide training materials for BLM staff on the Survey123 Observation form.
• Assist NatureServe to coordinate with field on entering legacy data. Work with 1170 program lead, state office renewable biologist, and PCRP senior ecologist on renewable projects. Help coordinate NDNH rare plant seed collection for renewable energy program. Identify what species could occur in project areas to inform recommended surveys for species. Pre-field review and desk analysis to determine habitat suitability for plant species.
• Serve as a liaison between and with both GBI and BLM staff;
• Ensure that all administrative paperwork is completed and submitted on time and correctly; and
• Ensure GBI and agency equipment are maintained and treated properly.

As an employee of Great Basin Institute’s Research Associate (RA) program, the RA is expected to satisfactorily complete the following tasks:

• Adhere to daily/weekly work schedules that are subject to change in response to project needs;
• Participation in GBI and/or BLM training opportunities;
• Complete and submit quarterly progress reports to GBI staff. Reports are due on January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, and October 15th; a final report, describing activities during your last quarter, will be due no later than one week before the end of contract;
• Other duties as assigned by GBI and agency staff.

This position is office based. BLM will provide a computer and office space. This position will work with software including, but not limited to Microsoft Office suite, Microsoft Sharepoint and Teams, ArcPro, ArcGIS Online, Survey123, NatureServe Explorer, and R. Remote work may be authorized for the right candidate.

Contract Timeline:

• 52-week appointment beginning in January/February 2024, pending availability and completion of DOI Background Investigation.
• Full-time (40 hrs/wk)

Location:

Position will be based out of the BLM Nevada State Office in Reno, NV. Remote work may be considered for the right candidate.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage: $31/hr with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week.
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance premiums are covered 100% by GBI. Available on the first day of the month following the start of employment.
• Paid leave and holidays
• 401K

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Botany or Wildlife Biology, or related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and field experience; master’s degree preferred;
• Enthusiasm about the position, with interest in and knowledge of threatened, endangered, and sensitive status species;
• Familiarity with native and rare flora and fauna of the state of Nevada;
• Familiarity with the Endangered Species Act, Nevada state code/statutes pertaining to  special status species, and BLM rules and regulations on specials status species;
• Experience with Nature Serve products and ArcGIS applications such as Survey123;
• Experience maintaining databases and summarizing data;
• Previous experience developing species habitat models;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Experience with data entry and QA/QC procedures;
• Familiarity with seed collection protocols for rare plants;
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills.

Click here for more information and to apply.