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Public Land Name:
BLM San Luis Valley Field Office Position Title:
AIM Vegetation Monitoring Crew Lead Agency: BLM Position Type: GuestScientist Position ID Number:
2015420 Location:
Monte Vista, CO Accepting Applications? # of current Applicants: 0 Position Description:
POSITION POSTED UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED! The GeoCorps participants will monitor areas within the 500,000 acres of public lands managed by the BLM’s San Luis Valley Field Office (SLVFO). This area presents myriad ecosystems, ranging from alpine desert to the majestic Sangre de Cristo Wilderness on the eastern side of the Valley. Range allotments across the field office will be inventoried and/or monitored for permit renewals as well as determining the overall condition of the landscape. 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. A crew of two or three individuals will be hired, 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 staff Biologist to provide oversight. The interns will be considered a part of the SLVFO 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 SLVFO is located in south-central Colorado, the San Luis Valley covers Alamosa, Rio Grande, Costilla, Conejos, Saguache, and Mineral counties. Within the SLVFO, there are seven Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, three Wilderness Study Areas, and four Solar Energy Zones. 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. 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 southern Colorado and 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.
The SLVFO is home to the Congressionally-designated Rio Grande Natural Area. It is also deeply connected on a landscape scale with the recently named Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in the Taos Field Office. The San Luis Valley has a rich cultural landscape that includes traces of the mammoth hunters of the Late Pleistocene (ca. 12,000 BC), Hispanic settlements and the gold mining camps of Bonanza and Duncan. Stone structures throughout the Valley suggest a possible Puebloan influence, and culturally peeled trees reflect the migrations of the Utes and Jicarilla Apaches. The Valley’s wetland environments drew people from as far away as the high plains to exploit the rich game resources that included waterfowl, fish, elk and bison. The Valley also boasts segments of the Old Spanish Trail (1829-1848) and the newly established Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. The SLVFO manages a diversity of wildlife habitat ranging from low-elevation wetlands to mid-elevation ponderosa pine forests. Waterfowl, shorebirds, amphibians and other wildlife inhabit the rich wetlands, while species such as the Gunnison prairie dog live in the dry low elevation grasslands. Black bear, mountain lion and mule deer are prevalent in the low and mid-elevation forests and bighorn sheep inhabit some of the steep rock terrain managed by the field office. Special status species in the area include: Mexican spotted owl, Mountain plover, the Southwest willow flycatcher, Gunnison prairie dog, and the Yellow-billed cuckoo. 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 around the Alamosa area. 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
Joel Humphries
Wildlife Biologist
1803 W. Hwy 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144
(719) 852-6257
jhumphries@blm.gov
Website
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