Multiple Locations, ID

Position Title: Biological Technician

Organization: Great Basin Institute 

Location: Multiple Locations, Idaho

Organization Overview: The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and service throughout the West. Founded in 1998 at the University of Nevada, GBI advances applied research to support science-based adaptive management of public lands. The Institute is dedicated to the promotion of science through field studies programs, conservation practices, and public outreach.

Position Overview: The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is recruiting up to eight (8) Biological Technicians: three at Camas National Wildlife Refuge, two each at the Bear Lake and Minidoka National Wildlife Refuges, and one at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The primary focus of these positions will be conducting baseline pollinator inventories, experimental wet meadow restoration in support of pollinator populations, and continuing implementation of new invasive species management programs. These pollinator-centric practices represent some of the first stages of pollinator focused monitoring and restoration at National Wildlife Refuges in this region and will set the stage for critical work in this field.  They are one aspect of a larger invasive species management strategy that emphasizes habitat restoration and quantitative methods of evaluation.  Additionally, technicians will participate in other aspects of the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex biology program.

Duties: 

Inventory distribution and conduct treatment of invasive plants in wet meadow habitats
• Inventory distribution of and collect seed from native flowering plants of value to pollinator species
• Baseline invasive plant inventory
• Document phenology of native flowering plants
• Baseline pollinator species richness and diversity surveys
Secondary duties may include:
• Monitor hydrology, riparian and wetland vegetation, and wildlife response to wetland restoration (All refuges);
• Activities related to common carp control (Bear Lake, Minidoka);
• Long-term vegetation monitoring (Camas);
• Pollinator garden maintenance and enhancement (Camas);
• Growing ~90,000 native grass, forb, and shrub plugs for plantings (Minidoka)
• Chemical control of noxious weeds (All refuges);
• Invasive weed treatment efficacy monitoring (Camas, Minidoka, Bear Lake);
• Early detection of & rapid response (EDRR) for rush skeletonweed and white bryony (Camas);
• Russian olive removal and riparian habitat restoration (All refuges);
• Monitoring of and/or surveillance for invasive submerged aquatic vegetation (Eurasian watermilfoil, Curly leaf Pondweed) (All refuges);
• Monitoring of and/or surveillance for invasive emergent vegetation (hybrid cattail, phragmites) (Grays Lake);
• Invasive weed inventory and mapping (All refuges);
• Shelterbelt and riparian habitat restoration and monitoring (Camas, Minidoka);
• Assist with maintenance and operation of 36 water control structures/fish screens (Bear Lake);
• Assist with fence installation for grazing units (Grays Lake);
• Grazing efficacy surveys (Grays Lake);
• Banding of various avian species to include various waterfowl (Camas, Minidoka), songbirds (Camas), White-faced Ibis (Bear Lake), and Western and Clark’s grebe (Minidoka);
• Acoustic monitoring and potential captures of bat species (All refuges)
• Vegetation and wildlife surveys tracking abundance and trends of species on the refuge (All refuges);
• Trumpeter swan capture and tracking (Camas and Bear Lake)

Through these projects, the technicians will gain a broad understanding of the habitat management and wildlife issues facing the Intermountain West.  These projects span habitats (shrub-steppe, grassland, wetland, and riparian) and encompass three categories of tools available for invasive species control (mechanical, chemical, biological).  Furthermore, the technicians will be exposed to various elements of pollinator ecology and the habitat restoration process.  The technicians will be provided with first aid, ATV/UTV, and plant identification training.  Technicians will also assist in other biological monitoring projects such as bird banding, bat acoustic monitoring, and a variety of avian surveys as opportunities arise.  Each technician will be stationed at a specific refuge, however, there will be opportunities to travel throughout the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex and assist in various activities.

Qualifications:

Technical requirements:
• Knowledge and interest in botany and plant identification
• Prior experience with invasive plant management preferred;
• Willingness to utilize chemical herbicide treatment methods;
• Experience utilizing hand-held GPS units and/or PDRs for navigation and/or data collections, along with basic computer skills;
• Ability to carry backpack sprayer or up to 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition;
• Experience operating 4WD trucks on and off-road, including mountain forest roads;
• Knowledge and experience in operating off highway vehicles, which includes Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), desirable; and
• Experience with towing and backing-up a trailer, desirable.

Additional requirements:
• Ability to self-direct and self-motivate;
• Possess good organizational skills;
• Tolerant of working in variable weather conditions, willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, and able to hike 2-5+ miles daily on uneven terrain;
• Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and follow safe working practices;
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, GBI and agency staff, and a diverse public;
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging, bending over, hauling material, hiking);
• Valid, state-issued driver’s license; clean driving record; and ability to safely operate a 4WD truck on paved and unpaved roads, including narrow, mountain forest roads;
• Must pass US Fish and Wildlife Service UTV/ATV training;
• Must pass US Fish and Wildlife Service background check to obtain Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card; and
• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Start/End Dates: Dependent on location, 6 month positions beginning in April, May or June 2024

Salary/Pay:

• Total Living Allowance: $650 biweekly before taxes
• Education Award: $2,626.27 for 19-22-week positions and $3,447.50 for 26-28-week positions upon successful completion of full service term. (May be used for past, present or future educational expenses, including payment of qualifying federal student loans.)
• Free on-site housing available for Camas NWR, Grays Lake NWR, and Minidoka NWR
• Housing stipend provided for Bear Lake NWR
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance provided at no cost to participant
• Eligibility for SNAP benefits, Federal Student Loan Forbearance, & Federal Interest Accrual Repayment

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