Biological Technician - Palm Springs South Coast Field Office

Biological Team Members - BLM Palm Springs South Coast Field Office

SummaryThe American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ and Salt Lake City, Utah in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM California Desert District Office is seeking Two Biological Team Members to dedicate a 16-week term to assist in conducting vegetation and habitat monitoring in the Dos Palmas Area of Critical Environmental Concern in the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: ASAP

Estimated End Date: *16 weeks from the official start date

*16 minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Palm Springs, California.

BLM California's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office ("PSSCFO") manages a complex variety of public lands: about 3.6 million acres. This office serves a diverse public: home to more than 22 million people and host to millions of annual visitors. The PSSCFO stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River and from the International border with Mexico to where the mountains meet the Mojave Desert: encompassing an area larger than the state of Maryland. Renewable energy, recreation, and conservation drive PSSCFO's multiple-use and sustained-yield programming. PSSCFO's workload includes multiple utility-scale solar and wind projects, an ever-expanding number of visitors and varieties of ways to experience and enjoy America's public lands, and year-round operations to protect lives, property, and resources through robust and integrated fire and law enforcement programs. The office manages fourteen Wilderness areas, twenty-four Areas of Critical Environmental Concern ("ACECs"), all or part of four National Monuments (Sand to Snow, Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains, California Coastal, and Mojave Trails), and three National Scenic and Historic Trails (the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail, and the historic Juan Bautista de Anza and Old Spanish trails).

Visit the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office website for more information on the Field Office. https://www.blm.gov/office/palm-springs-south-coast-field-office

Position Overview: This is a primarily field-based position. ACE Members will perform Desert Riparian Restoration (DRR) monitoring with the relevé method at the Dos Palmas Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). This monitoring effort has occurred at the Dos Palmas ACEC in 2017 (351 acres), 2018 (305 acres) and 2020 (402 acres). The 2023 monitoring effort will include 360 acres of habitat, completing approximately 120 relevé surveys. The project will be completed in two stages, Data Collection which includes project preparation and field data collection, and Data Management, which includes the development of a report analyzing the findings, managing the GIS data, and creating BLM-quality maps. Both stages of the project are expected to be primarily completed by two American Conservation Experience (ACE) Interns. The general schedule for interns to complete fieldwork most efficiently is 4 days per work week.

The member will be responsible for:

• Generating maps and monitoring plots in ArcGIS to navigate and record data collected in the field.
• Collecting Geographic Information System (GIS) data, mapping monitoring plots, and managing GIS data using Global Positioning System (GPS) apps Survey 123, Field Maps, and other similar products.
• Occasional 12 hours field days (in the field and travel); potential for overnight camping stays.
• Drafting and finalizing a report discussing monitoring findings and providing recommendations for future monitoring.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing Allowance: Housing is the responsibility of the member and is not provided by ACE or BLM. The ACE Member will receive a housing allowance of $200/wk to offset the high cost of housing in Coachella Valley.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding the distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of botany and/or environmental sciences.
• Ability and willingness to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and participate effectively in collaborative efforts
• 4WD experience in both sandy and rocky conditions

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Elyse Cogburn, ACE EPIC Member Manager at ecogburn@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.