Application Deadline: December 17, 2012
Location: Carson City, NV
Agency: Bureau of Land Management
Start Date: February 1, 2013
Application Closing Date: Monday, December 17, 2012 Internship duration: 10 months To apply: visit www.clminternship.org Position Reference Code: CCBotany2013
As part of the Conservation and Land Management Internship Program, botany seasonals will be working within the Carson City District Office area. This area, in western Nevada, encompasses 5 million acres with a varied landscape made up of: coniferous forests of the Eastern Sierra Nevada; pinyon-juniper woodlands/sagebrush dominated areas; and salt desert shrub dominated areas.
Local ecosystems include: high-altitude montane, sand dunes, alkali playas, meadows, and areas recovering from wildfire.
Duties include:
Work as part of the Seeds of Success program to collect seeds from native plants within the Carson City District Office Area. Locate areas with sufficient plants of the targeted species to make seed collections from. Identify, collect, press and mount vegetation on herbarium sheets, to be used as voucher specimens for each of the species of interest. Participate with other seasonal staff in the collection of seed from the species of interest. Use GPS/GIS to map vegetation collection areas.
Assist BLM staff with ongoing noxious weed mapping and treatment. Assist BLM staff with other conservation field work such as rare plant and habitat degradation monitoring. Assist BLM staff with occasional volunteer events designed to increase public participation with public land stewardship. Assist BLM mentor with youth program designed to involve youth with outdoor educational activities.
In general, the time spent on the various activities is as follows: Seeds of Success – 30%, noxious weeds – 20%, fire rehabilitation 20%, rare plant monitoring – 10%, range 10% and environmental education – 10%
Knowledge Required by the Position:
Sufficient knowledge of plant biology is important along with the ability to identify plants down to the species level using appropriate botany manuals and keys. Knowledge of Great Basin vegetation is a plus, but that knowledge may also be gained while on the job. Knowledge of seed collection techniques (training will be done at Field Office or other locations). Ability to operate an All- Terrain-Vehicle (ATV) training and safety certification will be provided by the Field office as needed.
Physical Demands:
Duties require outside work involving walking, bending, climbing hills, lifting and carrying various materials or supplies, which are occasionally heavy. Use of an ATV will be routine. Remote field sites will likely require frequent camping out at the site for a period of 1-3 nights. During camping trips or while on any extended travel, alcohol or any illegal controlling substances are not permitted. Violation of this policy will result in immediate dismissal. Daily work shifts of 8 to 10 hours are anticipated within a 40 hour work week. The work week is Monday through Friday.
Occasional circumstances require adjusting the work week to accommodate special environmental education events which typically take place on Saturday.
Work Environment:
Approximately 90 percent of the work is in the field. The fieldwork will involve driving and walking over rough and sandy terrain with wide variations in temperature ranging from below freezing in the fall and winter to above 90 degrees F during the summer. Approximately 10 percent of the work is in the office. Office work involves the following: Use GIS to create maps and conduct analysis. Visit the University Herbarium to collect data on plant locations and to verify plant specimen identification. Mount pressed specimens on herbarium sheets and process into our herbarium. Enter data into Access and Excel databases. Process seed collections and ship to appropriate destination. Conduct internet literature research on a variety of restoration topics.
Create documents and reports based on various projects.
**Please note that you MUST include the Position Reference Code, CCBotany2013, when you complete the online application. In addition, your resume should provide an employment history along with contact information for supervisor/mentor at each position for the last 3 positions held.
Questions about the CLM Program or interested in applying?
Please visit www.clminternship.org