- Agency
- Great Basin Institute
- Location
- Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Camas National Wildlife Refuge, Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge (ID)
- Job Category
- Temporary/Seasonal Positions
- Salary
- Living Allowance: $500-700 biweekly. Education Award: $2,474.27.
- Start Date
- 04/24/2023
- Last Date to Apply
- 04/01/2023
- Website
- https://www.vscyberhosting.com/greatbasin/Careers.aspx?rf=TAM&req=2022-ACI-071
- Description
- Description: The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is recruiting six (6) Biological Technicians: two each at the Bear Lake, Camas and Minidoka National Wildlife Refuges. The primary focus of these positions will be conducting baseline pollinator inventories and experimental wet meadow restoration in support of their populations. These 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. Additionally, technicians will participate in all aspects of the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex biology program. Primary duties (all refuges): • 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 • 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 (Camas, Minidoka); • Activities related to common carp control (Bear Lake, Minidoka); • Long-term vegetation monitoring?(Camas); • Pollinator garden maintenance and enhancement?(Camas); • Growing ~12,000 native grass, forb, and shrub plugs for plantings (Minidoka) • Chemical control of noxious weeds?(All refuges); • Invasive weed treatment efficacy monitoring?(Camas, Minidoka); • 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); • 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); • 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. Contract Timeline: •Bear Lake NWR: (2) Appointments between 20 and 26-weeks beginning late May. •Camas NWR: (2) 26-week appointments beginning in late April or May •Minidoka NWR: (2) 26-week appointments beginning in late April or May •All positions are Full time (40 hours/week) Location: Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1968 to protect and manage habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Located seven miles south of Montpelier, ID, the refuge encompasses 18,200 acres of bulrush marsh, open water, and flooded meadows that are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge provides valuable habitat for waterfowl and colonial nesting water birds. Portions of the refuge include scattered grasslands and brush-covered mountain slopes. Primary management species of focus are redhead ducks, sandhill crane, Bonneville cutthroat trout, and Canada goose. With close proximity to the highly utilized recreational area of Bear Lake and its beaches, U.S. Forest Service lands, and several National Parks that are within reasonable driving distances, there are many outdoor recreational opportunities in close proximity to the duty station. Camas National Wildlife Refuge was established for the protection of migratory waterbirds and is a mosaic of wetland, grassland, and sage-steppe habitat.? It is located approximately 40 miles north of Idaho Falls, Idaho near the small rural community of Hamer, Idaho.? The area is fairly remote, with the nearest gas station existing 20 miles away (to the north in Dubois or to the south in Roberts).? Groceries, medical care, and other services are available ~40 miles away (to the south in Idaho Falls or to the east in Rexburg).??The refuge is set within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem which provides ample world-class outdoor recreation activities.? Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are approximately a 2 to 3 hour drive east.? Craters of the Moon National Monument, the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, and the Salmon-Challis National Forest are a 1 to 3 hour drive to the west.? The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is a 45 minute to an hour drive to the north and east. ?The refuge is set within the Snake River Plains, at an elevation of about 4500 feet.? Summers are typically warm and dry with cool nights.? Daily highs are in the 80s and low 90s. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.?? Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Snake River Plain in south-central Idaho, 12 miles northeast of Rupert. It includes 80 miles of shoreline around Lake Walcott, from Minidoka Dam upstream about 25 miles. The refuge headquarters is located in Lake Walcott State Park. About half of the refuge’s ~24000acres is open water and wetlands. In this arid landscape, these resources serve as an oasis drawing numerous wildlife species from miles around. Many species use the bulrush and cattail habitat that lines the lake’s small bays. Others use the willows, cottonwoods and other trees growing near shorelines. The rest of the refuge is low, rolling uplands covered by sagebrush, grasses and isolated juniper patches amongst scattered outcrops of basalt. The USFWS manages the refuge. The US Bureau of Reclamation operates the dam and power plant and controls the water levels in the reservoir. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation manages Lake Walcott State Park, a 30 acre park near the dam that offers campgrounds, picnic areas, a disc golf course, cabins, and a boat ramp. Compensation and Benefits: •Total Living Allowance: Approximately $500-$700 biweekly before taxes •Education Award: $2,474.27 for 20-week position and $3,247.50 for 26-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, Minidoka NWR •Housing stipend provided for Bear Lake NWR •Medical, dental, and vision insurance provided at no cost to participant
- 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; • Ability to work productively both independently and as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; • 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); • Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition; • 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.
- Contact Person
- Kaelyn
