EagleJobs

Job Description

BLM-Upper Snake Field Office is recruiting two (2) AmeriCorps Member beginning May 1, 2024, for natural resource conservation work in sagebrush steppe communities on public lands in Eastern Idaho. The members would work as a team collecting vegetation indices and conducting vegetation/range improvement treatments relevant to multiple resource program efforts.

Focal components include pre and post treatment vegetation inventories of fuels reductions treatments, post-fire vegetation recover inventories, sagebrush recovery inventories for wildfire impact areas less than 5 years old, noxious weed control, and fence-line inventories in strategic wildlife use or migration areas to identify opportunities for modifications to reduce impediment to natural movements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Specific activities include:
• Pre and post fuels reduction treatment and post fire vegetation recovery inventories using line-point intercept, line intercept, step-point, and/or fixed area plot methods: Plant identification skills are required for at least one of the two members. Vegetation indices include species identification, height, cover, composition, and health. Approximately 25% of the season or 6 weeks are anticipated for this task.
• Sagebrush recovery inventories in vegetation communities impacted by wildfire: When wildfires overlap with habitat for greater sage-grouse, the status of impacted habitat moves out of key habitat to restoration habitat. Recovery of the sagebrush component to an overstory cover of >10% takes time, generally longer than the emergency stabilization monitoring period. Conservation members would employ a standardized monitoring method across sagebrush steppe communities in areas impacted by older fires to determine the current sagebrush cover and inform annual GRSG habitat suitability mapping updates. Approximately 30% of the season or 7 weeks are anticipated for this task.
• Noxious weed control and inventory: Implement noxious weed and invasive species treatments through the application of herbicides, or use of mechanical and manual equipment under the supervision of the noxious weed program lead. Noxious weeds are invasive exotic plants that are highly competitive and have the ability to permanently degrade native plant communities. Infestations spread and establish due to increasing human activity primarily within travel corridors and increased site vulnerability from wildfire and other natural and man-made disturbances. Approximately 20% of the season or 5 weeks are anticipated for this task.
• Fence-line condition assessment inventory: The field office has an ongoing effort to inventory the existing condition of fences on public lands, particularly in strategic wildlife use or migration areas to identify opportunities for modifications to reduce impediments to natural movements. Members would inventory using a tablet employing a program in ArcMap to capture specific fence characteristics such as construction method, condition level, wire heights, etc., Members may also participate in the removal or modification of fences previously identified. Approximately 25% of the season or 6 weeks are anticipated for this task.

While the above four items are the core duties of the position, the field office is flexible in accommodating members interests in specific natural resources programs such as fuels, fire rehabilitation, fisheries, rangelands, weeds, and wildlife management. There are active projects ongoing, and participation has historically been encouraged and welcomed by field office staff and management.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
• Valid Driver’s License (nonrestricted)
• ATV/UTV Operation Experience (BLM ASI and/or ROHVA training provided)
• Basic First Aid and CPR (potential for participation in BLM training)
• Defensive Driving (BLM training)

Desired Qualifications:
• Ability to identify plants common to the Snake River Plain and Middle Rockies Region to the species level
• Ability to safely operate a four-wheel drive vehicle, such as a ½ ton pickup, on two-track or other low maintenance roads
• Ability to safely operate an ATV/UTV on restricted use trails or rugged terrain
• Ability to navigate to remote work sites
• Ability to work in the field in a wide range of weather conditions
• Ability to follow instruction with limited direct supervision following training

Benefits

Upon successful completion of program requirements, education award amount of $1,824. The position will also include a housing stipend of $800