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AmeriCorps Soil Sampling Technician

The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and service through the west. The Institute’s mission is to advance applied science and ecological literacy through community engagement and agency partnerships, supporting national parks, forest, open spaces and public lands. 

The Ecological Monitoring Program at GBI serves as an excellent professional development opportunity for natural resource professionals looking for experience in botanical, soil, and rangeland surveys. This Program is a component of our well-established Research Associate Program, which focuses on the conservation and management of natural, cultural, and recreation resources in the Intermountain West while providing emerging professionals opportunities to begin or enhance their careers. 

GBI’s Ecological Monitoring Program is dedicated to providing college graduates and emerging professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience in natural resource management. Extensive training and technical field skills development provides employees a unique opportunity to obtain valuable experience in executing monitoring protocols that will increase their employment success.  

In partnership with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, GBI is recruiting two AmeriCorps members to serve as part of a soil sampling team. The overall objective of this soil sampling effort is to collect data at locations where habitat restoration projects will be undertaken and at sites where restoration is underway. Restoration project sites are located in Wyoming sagebrush, pinyon-juniper woodlands and mountain sagebrush communities across northern Nevada. Restoration projects are focused on wildlife habitat including Sage Grouse, Mule deer, and a variety of other species. Site locations include land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and private landowners. Collected data are used to help guide proper treatment design and to provide a baseline data set against which treatment effects may be measured.  

Duties:  
General field duties include regular use of best practices for safety, carrying heavy equipment while walking long distances over uneven and sometimes steep terrain, collecting soil samples with a two-person motorized auger, and collecting GPS locations of sampling plots and other plot-specific data. This position will require travel to and from field sites and extended field camping to ensure that all sampling objectives are fulfilled during the field season. Implementation may require long hours including early mornings and weekends. The timeframe for field data collection will generally be 8 days on and 6 days off or 4 days on and 3 days off. Time will also be spent at the NDOW office completing training tasks, data entry and potentially lab-related duties. 
 
Requirements:
•Ability to carry heavy equipment (approximately 60 pounds) over rugged terrain in sometimes inclement weather;
•Ability to operate heavy equipment and endure strenuous physical activity for long periods using best safety practices;
•Willingness to work and camp in primitive locations with no amenities for up to eight consecutive days;
•Strong interest in soil science, natural resource management, ecology, environmental science, or related field;
•Ability to navigate and set a bearing using a compass, navigate to predetermined locations using GPS, and read a topographical map;
•Ability to work in a team setting and contribute to a positive work environment;
•Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting; 
•Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; and
•Ability to meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime, or equivalent of two full-time terms of service), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement;