Description:

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, is recruiting one AmeriCorps Intern to serve a 6-month commitment at Ash Meadows NWR as Ecological Technicians. The interns will assist Refuge staff with a number of projects related to restoring habitat conditions on the Refuge. The Ecological Technician will focus on four major tasks within the refuge: (1) Removal of non-native and planting of native streambank vegetation, which may include the application of pesticides; (2) Restoration activities including, but not limited to, drip line instillation/maintenance, construction of fish barriers and traps, as well as native plantings; (3) Non-native aquatic fauna control/eradication (trapping, spearing, netting, electrofishing), and native and non-native aquatic fauna surveys;  and (4) Additional restoration duties may include, plant and wildlife surveys. The Ecological Technicians will maintain all field data equipment and tools, maintain accurate and detailed activity logs, collect appropriate biological data, and input current and archived paper data into electronic Access databases.

Compensation:  

Living Allowance: $8,000; Education Award: $2,775; Housing provided. 

AmeriCorps Education Scholarship may be used for past, present or future educational expenses, including payment of qualifying federal student loans.

Timeline:  

6-month contract; April 1, 2013 to September 27, 2013; Full time, some weekend service required 

Location:

Ash Meadows NWR, established June 18, 1984, is located approximately 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Ash Meadows is a literal oasis that lies within the Mojave Desert. The refuge is comprised of over 23,000 acres of spring-fed wetlands and alkaline desert uplands and provides habitat for at least 24 plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. AmeriCorps Interns will live on site at the refuge and will need a personal vehicle for non-work related trips. The nearest town is Amargosa Valley, which is located approximately 8 miles from the refuge with a single casino/restaurant. Personal amenities are available in Pahrump, NV located approximately 30 miles from the refuge. 

Qualifications:

A bachelors degree preferred or course work in environmental science, biology, ecology, limnology, or a related field and/or commensurate field experience; understanding and experience using GPS equipment and following established field collection protocols; willingness and ability to perform physical labor, including but not limited to, manual removal of non-native vegetation, and planting of native vegetation. knowledge of or experience using MS Access and Excel for database management; knowledge of Mojave desert flora/fauna, desirable; familiarity with off-road driving and/or ATV training; must possess a valid, clean state-issued drivers license; ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions year-round, traverse uneven terrain, and be in overall good physical condition; ability to work productively and cooperatively individually and as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and communicate effectively with a diverse public; and meet eligibility requirements to receive an AmeriCorps Education Scholarship: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, and (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of 4 in a lifetime or two full years of service). To qualify, you must be over 17 years of age and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards). All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.