AmeriCorps Vegetation Technician (USFWS, Sheldon-Hart National Wildlife Refuge)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with FWS at Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC), is recruiting four (4) AmeriCorps members to serve as Vegetation Technicians who will work alongside FWS to support post-wildfire vegetation monitoring.

Vegetation Technicians will support all aspects of the wildlife habitat programs at Sheldon-Hart Mountain NWRC. Primary attention will be focused on post-wildfire vegetation monitoring to assess restoration actions on several wildfires, ranging from 1 to 7 years old. Other vegetation work will include habitat condition assessments in sage-grouse and bighorn sheep habitats, surveying for invasive species, and native seed collection to support fire restoration. Through these projects, technicians will gain a broad understanding of wildfire and juniper issues facing the Intermountain West, and the tools/methods available for assessment and restoration. These projects span sagebrush-dominated systems on both refuges, including important habitat for sagebrush-dependent wildlife such as sage-grouse and bighorn sheep. Technicians will be provided with first aid, ATV/UTV, and plant identification training. Technicians will be stationed at both Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, working as a team on both refuges throughout the season.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Post-wildfire vegetation monitoring using both quantitative and qualitative survey protocols;
• Photo point monitoring;
• Habitat condition assessments;
• Invasive species surveys and treatment;
• Native seed collection; and
• Wildlife surveys (e.g., pygmy rabbits and pika) as time allows.

* Members are required to take a mandatory 30-minute lunch break each service day. This break does not count toward their service hours for the education award.

Timeline:

• May 4, 2026 – August 8, 2026; 13 Weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 10 hours daily.

Location:

Sheldon-Hart Mountain NWRC is located in the high desert of southeast OR and northwest NV, collectively managing over 900,000 acres with our administrative headquarters in Lakeview, OR. Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is located in Denio, NV and Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge is located in Plush, OR.  Both refuges were established for the protection of pronghorn and other sagebrush dependent wildlife species, and the refuge complex is one of the few intact sagebrush steppe ecosystems remaining in the Great Basin. The landscape is vast, rugged, and punctuated with waterfalls, narrow gorges, and lush springs among rolling hills and expansive tablelands of sagebrush and mountain mahogany. Summers are typically warm and dry with cool nights, whereas early spring temperatures can be below freezing and sometimes snowing. The refuges are very remote with groceries, medical care, and other services located 2 hours away in Lakeview, OR.

Compensation and Benefits:

Living Allowance:  $1,280 biweekly (before taxes); not to exceed $23,522.00;

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (450 hrs): $1956.35 upon successful completion of term;

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Access to Pro Deals; and
• Eligibility for SNAP benefits, Loan Forbearance, and Loan Interest Accrual Repayment.

Housing: Will be provided to the selected participant at no additional costs

This position will be housed at both the Hart Mountain and Sheldon bunkhouses, depending on which habitat monitoring project you are working on. The bunkhouses are fully equipped to meet basic living needs, including a full kitchen with dishes and other supplies, a laundry room, and bedrooms with twin beds. Both bunkhouses have potable water, hot water, heat, and air conditioning. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and living rooms are communal. Each bedroom has two beds. We attempt to provide everyone with a private room when possible, but rooms are generally double occupancy during busy periods. Wi-Fi is usually available at both bunkhouses, although it can be erratic in speed and availability given the remoteness of the area. The refuges are very remote with groceries, medical care, and other services located 2 hours away in Lakeview, OR. A personal vehicle is recommended, but not required. A 4WD truck will be provided for all work-related travel.

Segal Education Award:

After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Award varies based on term of service. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.

Student Loan Forbearance:

If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.

Interest Accrual Repayment:

As an AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:

AmeriCorps Volunteers are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Qualifications:

Required:

Technical requirements:

• Interest in botany and plant identification;
• Interest in fire ecology and wildfire restoration;
• Willingness to live remotely;
• Ability to utilize hand-held GPS units or mobile phones for navigation and/or data collection, along with basic computer skills;
• Ability to hike rough, rocky, and steep terrain;
• Ability to operate 4WD trucks on and off-road;
• Knowledge and experience in operating off highway vehicles, which includes Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), desirable; and
• Experience with towing and backing-up a trailer, desirable.

Additional requirements: 

• Ability to self-direct and self-motivate;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Possess good organizational skills;
• Tolerant of working in variable weather conditions, willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, and able to hike 2-5+ miles daily on uneven and steep terrain;
• Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and follow safe working practices;
• Communicate effectively with a diverse public;
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; and
• 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 the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (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) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

(This AmeriCorps position is open to US Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents age 17 or older)

• Education and technical experience: A relevant degree or coursework towards a relevant degree (e.g., jobshiringnearme.org Science, Fisheries and Wildlife, Ecology, Environmental Science) is preferred but not required. Additional preferred technical experience includes plant identification skills, field-based plant surveys, and proper Application of quantitative and qualitative habitat monitoring techniques;
• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record; and
• AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Preferred:

• Positive attitude and a willingness to learn;
• Strong work ethic;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Effective organization and data management skills;
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to adapt and problem-solve, especially in the face of unexpected, changing, or adverse conditions; and
• Experience living and/or working in a remote area.