Crew Lead: Aquatic Ecological Monitoring in New Mexico

Company: Conservation Legacy
Location: Las Cruces
Posted on: February 13, 2020

Job Description:

Job Type Temporary Salary Details $685/week, plus health benefits, plus camping food budget Deadline Mar 03, 2020 A scene from training. Position Type: Full-time, temporary, 33 weeks with possible extension of Number of Positions: 1 Location: Las Cruces, NM Salary: $685/week Benefits: Paid training; camping food allowance; health benefits package Hiring Benefits: Public Land Corps hiring authority: eligible to use, for two years upon completion of term, a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions for a federal agency. Program Dates: From early April 2020 to late November 2020 Southwest Conservation Corps's Mission It is the mission of the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment. For more information, visit . Program Overview: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Aquatic Monitoring Center have developed the National Aquatic Monitoring Framework to fulfill the aquatic Assessment, Inventory, Monitoring (AIM) initiative. The National Aquatic Monitoring Framework (NAMF) uses the most common indicators within the land health standards (and to functioning stream systems). The NAMF promotes integrated data collection throughout the BLM by providing guidance for selection of sample reaches, electronic data capture and storage, tools for consistent data analysis and interpretation to inform management questions. The NAMF is a standardized approach for how the BLM can meet multiple monitoring requirements in a consistent, quantitative and credible manner. Lead and technician (crew member) will work together to sample streams and rivers on BLM land using the National Aquatic Monitoring Framework. They will collect water quality data, stream habitat data, and benthic macroinvertebrate samples, entering all appropriate data directly into SARAH (Stream and Rivers Assessment Hub), a tablet based data-recording database, while on site. All data will be georeferenced using a GPS unit and stored in an ArcGIS geodatabase. Work will be completed in remote areas on BLM lands. Crews will be required to drive to several different areas of the sample area throughout a four- to eight-day work week (hitch), camp overnight, hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management. The crew may also have the opportunity to assist with other public land management projects involving fisheries, wildlife, range, forestry and others. Crew Lead's Responsibilities Supports and manages the field crew's safety, wellbeing, and development. Consistently exercises discretion and judgment. Coordinates field logistics, scheduling, crew tasks, and management of the crew's equipment. Provides/asks for feedback to/from crew member regarding performance. Is the primary contact between the crew and the SCC supervisor/BLM staff. Completes necessary administrative paperwork. Before, during, and after field data collection, the lead is responsible for the organization and quality control of all AIM data collected in SARAH. The crew lead will analyze, interpret, or make deductions for varying data, and will be required report data to various BLM offices and stakeholders. Written reports will be completed and involve the presentation of scientific data and pre-/post-treatment analysis. The crew lead should be passionate about sound science principles, be an advocate for the AIM program in the Field or District Office, and have a willingness to learn about how AIM data could be used in range, forestry, fire and wildlife programs within the BLM. The crew lead should be passionate about facilitating the crew member's experience similarly, especially via SCC's program structure. Minimal Qualifications: - College Graduate (Bachelor's, at minimum) with degree in hydrology, fisheries, water resources science, ecology, natural resource management, or a related field. - OR previous experience performing AIM or similar methodology - Aged at least 21 years upon hire - Ability to produce identification as stipulated by I-9upon hire - Valid US driver's license and insurable driving record - Ability to pass Conservation Legacy's and the Department of Interior's background checks - Experience working as part of a team and be able to work well with others - Have excellent communication, organizational, and planning skills - Experience with and knowledge of some data-collection software - 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 fieldwork - Willing to empower crew members to improve in performing their responsibilities - Physically capable of standing and walking (at a minimum 6 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds, in upwards of 100 degree (F) heat while maintaining a professional attitude - Experience and willingness to spending multiple days (1-6 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas; familiarity with and willingness to adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles - Willingness to spend several hours per day and/or per week riding in, navigating, and driving a work vehicle on- and off-highway - Ability to work in and respond to adverse weather conditions including extreme heat, monsoonal rains, and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions) - Current or ability to obtain CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and Defensive Driver Training Certificates Preferred Qualifications: - At least 6 months' experience in aquatic or terrestrial monitoring and leading a crew - Applicants with previous aquatic or terrestrial AIM experience is highly preferred. - Education and/or experience in hydrology, fisheries and/or water resource science - Familiarity with the dynamic nature of streams and river systems dependent on monsoonal precipitation - Experience determining bank-full in dynamic stream systems - Experience or interest in large scale, spatially-balanced monitoring designs, and how extensive sampling can assist in the understanding of dynamic aquatic systems - Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads - Willingness to constantly teach and demonstrate best driving practices - ATV/UTV training and experience - Experience with handheld GPS units and External GNSS GPS antennae and basic troubleshooting - Experience with ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcGIS Online interface - Knowledge of creating maps, performing basic analysis, and organizing data - Knowledge of downloading, using, and syncing ArcGIS Online Maps - Field Safety and Risk Management Training Public Land Corps: The Public Land Corps (PLC) program provides the opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 30 (civilian) or 35 (veteran) years to work on conservation projects on public lands. Participants must successfully complete 640 hours that include at least 120 hours on federal lands through the PLC. PLC members are not federal government employees, but those who successfully complete the PLC requirements are then eligible to use, for two years, a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions.

Keywords: Conservation Legacy, Las Cruces , Crew Lead: Aquatic Ecological Monitoring in New Mexico, Other , Las Cruces, New Mexico