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Public Land Name: BLM Taos Field Office Position Title: AIM Vegetation Monitoring Crew Lead Agency: BLM Position Type: GuestScientist Position ID Number: 2015423 Location: Taos, NM Accepting Applications? # of current Applicants: 0 Position Description: POSITION POSTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED! The GeoCorps participants will monitor previous vegetation treatments, rangeland allotments, and reference areas. The participants will manage all aspects of vegetation monitoring on the treatments using the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) methodology and an understanding and experience with identifying vegetation to species is essential for the position. Within all plots vegetation will be identified to species, line-point intercept will be used to gather species cover and composition data, shrub density will be measured, and soil descriptions will be required. All point data will be gathered using a GPS unit and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase. Once field work is completed, the data will be entered into a (Database for Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment -DIMA) database, analyzed, and synthesized into a report for future land management planning. This crew lead will head a crew of two or three individuals, depending on experience of applicants. This position is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management. Goals, outcomes, and deliverables: The participant will collect field data and complete data entry and analysis. Participants must also collect and compile GPS data into a GIS geodatabase. Data analysis must provide managers with vegetation cover, composition, shrub density, and soil results to determine treatment success. The DIMA database requires a high level of QA/QC so interns are required to pay attention to detail. Subsequent reports must be completed and will involve the presentation of scientific data and pre and post treatment analysis. Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.): The AIM crews will be paired with a Range Ecologist, Botanist, and Rangeland Technicians to provide oversight. The interns will be considered a part of the Taos BLM staff and are encouraged to network. Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.): The crew will attend a training provided by the Jornada Experimental Range and the BLM's National Operations Center. The crew will also be trained in Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health. Leadership Development: Presenting Project Results: Physical/Natural Environment: The Taos Field Office (TAFO) manages approximately 15.5 million acres of mixed ownership lands in northern New Mexico, 594,700 acres of which is BLM ownership. It included lands within Union, Mora, Colfax, San Miguel, Los Alamos, Harding, Taos, and Santa Fe counties, and the eastern half of Rio Arriba County. Range allotments across the field office will be inventoried and/or monitored for permit renewals. Within the TAFO there is the Rio Grande, Rio Chama, and Red River Wild and Scenic Rivers as well as the newly designated Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, where the bulk of the field work will be directed. The Río Grande Wild and Scenic River flows through a deep gorge at the edge of the stark and sweeping expanse of the Taos Plateau. Volcanic cones, including the Cerro de la Olla, Cerro San Antonio, and Cerro del Yuta, jut up from this surrounding plateau. Canyons, volcanic cones, wild rivers, and native grasslands harbor vital wildlife habitat, unique geologic resources, and imprints of human passage through the landscape over the past 10,000 years. This extraordinary landscape of extreme beauty and daunting harshness is known as the Río Grande del Norte, and its extraordinary array of scientific and historic resources offer opportunities to develop our understanding of the forces that shaped northern New Mexico, including the diverse ecological systems and human cultures that remain present today. This northern New Mexico landscape also exhibits significant ecological diversity in these different geologic areas. From the cottonwood and willows along the Río Grande corridor, to the expansive sagebrush plains above the gorge on the Taos Plateau, the piñons at the base of Cerro del Yuta, and the spruce, aspen, and Douglas fir covering the mountain's northern slopes, the diversity of both ecosystems and species allows for, and has been the subject of, substantial scientific research. Deep within the gorge, stands of willow and cottonwood thrive in riparian and canyon ecosystems that have been present since the river first appeared in the Río Grande Rift Valley. The river provides habitat for fish such as the Río Grande cutthroat trout as well as the recently reintroduced North American river otter. The Río Grande del Norte is part of the Central Migratory Flyway, a vital migration corridor for birds such as Canada geese, herons, sandhill cranes, hummingbirds, and American avocets. Several species of bats make their home in the gorge, which also provides important nesting habitat for golden eagles and numerous other raptor species, as well as habitat for the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. The vast plateau harbors a significant diversity of mammals and birds, from the eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls soaring above the plateau to the small mammals on which they prey. Many other bird species, including Merriam's turkey, scaled quail, mourning dove, mountain plover, and loggerhead shrike, can be seen or heard on the plateau. Large mammals, including the Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, find their winter homes on the plateau alongside a population of rare Gunnison's prairie dogs. The Río Grande del Norte also provides habitat for many species of predators, including the ringtail, black bear, coyote, red fox, cougar, and bobcat. Work Environment: Approximately 80% of the work will be outdoor field work and the remainder will be indoor office work. Office work is carried out in a normal office space, with adequate lighting, heating, ventilation, etc. Field work will be in an outdoor environment where climate, weather, and terrain require car Qualifications: Applicants should have degree in ecology, botany, range science, wildlife biology, natural resource management, biology, conservation biology, or related field. This crew lead position much have previous vegetation monitoring experience! The lead should also have experience working within crews and an understanding of working well with others. The applicant must have experience identifying plants to species and experience with a taxonomic key is essential to the position to identify flora to species. A familiarity with northern New Mexican flora is beneficial. The intern should also have experience with GPS units or the capability to learn how to use them. The successful applicant must be self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period. The applicant must be able to maneuver and operate in a mixture of office and field work, which can include long periods of standing or walking on rough, uneven ground; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching or reaching to observe occurrences or place and retrieve equipment or devices; lifting and moving moderately heavy items (e.g., computer equipment, rebar, field equipment). Applicant must be physically fit, able to stand for long periods of time and lift boxes that weigh up to 40 pounds. A government vehicle can be used for travel as they are available. The successful applicant will also attend CPR and First Aid training (or provide certification if still current). Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. Because this position does not have a strong focus on the geosciences, if you wish to apply to it, but you are not a geoscience student and are not a GSA member, please contact Matt Dawson (mdawson@geosociety.org) at GSA to discuss alternative application methods, which can be done on a limited basis. Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable): This position is a AIM crew lead position. Pay will depend on the experience of the applicant. The position will last 5-6 months depending on workload and project completion. Position Dates: May 1st – Oct 1st; Start/end dates somewhat flexible Position Duration: 20-24 weeks Hourly Wage: $606-$676 per week, depending on experience, duration, etc. Housing Details: Housing is not provided and the participant will be responsible for finding her/his own housing. There are a number of rental units within and near the city of Taos. The stipend amount includes pay for housing. If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact GSA's GeoCorps managers.  If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please direct them to the contact(s) listed in the project description. Remember, application materials can only be submitted online. The project contact(s) will not accept application materials sent to them via e-mail, mail, fax, etc. See the full program details at the GeoCorps homepage. PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION Zoe Miller Range Ecologist 226 Cruz Alta Rd Taos, NM 87571  (575) 751-4709  zmiller@blm.gov Website SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION ,       Website