Ecological Monitoring Position, PG Environmental

various locations

Position Title: Ecological Monitoring Position

Organization: PG Environmental

Location: Denver or Golden, CO and Salt Lake City, UT 

Position Overview: PG Environmental is seeking potential candidates to support the United States Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, & Monitoring (AIM) efforts during the 2023 field season. More information on the BLM’s AIM strategy can be found on the AIM website. Crews consist of three individuals: two crew technicians and one crew lead. Together, they will assess the health of BLM lands across Utah and Wyoming, including National Monument lands, rangeland allotments, or reference areas using AIM methodology.

Duties: PG’s Ecological Services Team is currently soliciting multiple ecological monitoring field crew member positions (Field Ecologists). Basic responsibilities include; following established field protocols to conduct vegetation identification to species; gathering species cover and composition data; collecting soil stability and soil profile descriptions; plant production; collecting data utilizing ruggedized tablets; and assessing special sage grouse habitat. The crew may also assist with other public land management projects involving wildlife, range, and forestry. The crew member will continuously learn the local flora and build botanical knowledge of common species.
PG anticipates most crews finishing up work by mid to end of August with the potential of staying on through end of September (dependent on assigned work location, performance, and need).  There may be other opportunities within PG to continue onto other projects, based on work performance and skill.

Minimum Qualifications: Crews will be based out of our Salt Lake City, UT or Golden, Colorado locations.  You do not have to live in these locations, but you would be required to start and end your hitches there with the rest of your crew. Depending on applicant pool, we may start crews earlier in Golden CO to assist in Utah. Please state availability in cover letter.

During periods of field work, camping will be required, typically on a rotating 7-8 days on (Tues-Tues) and 6 days off schedule throughout the summer, however you must be willing to stay out in the field for up to 10 days at a time depending on plot completion and goals. Overtime is paid at time and a half, for both technicians and crew leads.

  • B.S. or working toward a degree in a natural sciences field.
  • Field experience, including the ability to work in and respond to adverse weather conditions for extended periods of time including extreme heat, monsoonal rains, and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions).
  • Experience and willingness to spend multiple days (up to 10 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas; familiarity or willingness to learn and adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles.
  • Excellent communication skills, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Positive attitude and attention to detail.
  • Valid US driver’s license and insurable driving record.
  • Ability to pass background checks (federal, state, education, criminal and driving record).
  • Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Suite Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
  • Willingness to spend several hours per day and/or per week riding in, navigating, and driving a 4WD vehicle on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads and driving for extended periods of time (2-3 hours at a time).
  • Physically capable of standing and walking (up to 6 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending and crouching for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds, in variable weather conditions, including heat upwards of 100-degrees (F).
  • Passionate about learning the world of plants, soils, and rangeland ecology.

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • College Graduate (Bachelor’s, at minimum) with degree in ecology, botany, soil science, agriculture, range, plant ecology, natural resource management, or a related field.
  • Current or ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and Defensive Driver Training certificates.
  • At least one year of experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens.
  • Familiarity with Utah and Wyoming flora (generally sagebrush steppe, Great Basin, and Colorado Plateau).
  • Experience or education using taxonomic soil keys or equivalent mechanism to identify ecological sites and using soil series descriptions or equivalent soil datasets.
  • Experience digging quality soil pits to characterize and document soil horizons and hand texturing various types of soils.
  • Experience managing field crews.
  • UTV and trailer towing experience. Please highlight this if you have this experience

Start Dates:

  • April 3rd for Salt Lake City, UT based positions
  • May 1st for Golden, CO positions

Salary/Pay: 

  • Base pay for Crew Leads starts at $21/hour; and Technicians at $18/hour
    • frequent overtime paid at time and a half, even for Crew Leads
    • up to $40/day per diem ($15 camping per diem for each night camped and $25 Meals and   Incidentals or ‘M&IE’ per day for a total of an additional $280- $305 per hitch, untaxed)
    • Accrued Sick Leave & medical insurance offered

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.

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