Biological Technician (USFWS, Southeast Idaho Refuge Complex)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is recruiting up to one (1) AmeriCorps member to serve as a Biological Technician. The Biological Technician will serve closely with the USFWS Biologists to implement a wide variety of projects that aim to maintain and enhance the quality of the National Wildlife Refuge Complex located within Southeast Idaho. The primary focus of these positions will be conducting baseline pollinator inventories, experimental wet meadow restoration in support of pollinator populations, and continuing implementation of new invasive species management programs. These pollinator-centric practices represent some of the first stages of pollinator focused monitoring and restoration at National Wildlife Refuges in this region and will set the stage for critical work in this field. They are one aspect of a larger invasive species management strategy that emphasizes habitat restoration and quantitative methods of evaluation.  Additionally, technicians will participate in other aspects of the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex biology program.

Service duties may include any or all of, but are not limited to, the following: 

Primary responsibilities:

• Conducting pollinator (butterfly and bumble bee) surveys in wet meadows to determine species richness and diversity;
• Documenting phenology of native flowering plants used and available to pollinators in wet meadows;
• Seeding, growing, watering and planting of native grasses, forbs and shrubs in our greenhouse for habitat restoration in recently burned areas, wet meadows and riparian areas;
• Treating by hand, mechanically, and chemically invasive plants on foot and vehicle;
• Conducting vegetation surveys in recently burned areas using LPI methods;
• Conducting boat surveys on the Snake River for species counts of Western and Clark’s grebes;
• Conducting Yellow-billed cuckoo presence surveys on and off the refuge;
• Safely operating an ATV, UTV, and/or 4WD truck and trailer while traveling on paved, remote 4WD roads and off road; and
• Accurately recording, entering and QA/QC-ing data collected for various projects on the refuge.

Secondary duties may include:

• Trapping and banding of various avian species to include various duck species and Western and Clark’s grebes;
• Conducting surveys for waterbirds on the Snake River and impoundments;
• Conducting elk and deer, and St. Anthony Dune Tiger Beetle surveys on the refuge;
• Acoustic monitoring and potential captures of bat species;
• Conducting submerged aquatic vegetation surveys on the Snake River and impoundments;
• Maintaining the quality of the refuge (e.g. fence repair, replacement of boundary signs);
• Collection of native seed from the refuge for habitat restoration projects;
• Helping other refuges in the Southeast Idaho NWR complex with projects as needed; and
• Partaking in educational events on and off the refuge.

Through these projects, the technician will gain a broad understanding of the habitat management and wildlife issues facing the Intermountain West, spanning various habitats including shrub-steppe, grassland, wetland, and riparian. The technician will be exposed to various elements of pollinator ecology, habitat restoration processes, and best conservation and management practices. The technician will also assist in other biological monitoring projects such as avian and mammal surveys, bird banding, bat acoustic monitoring, and various vegetation surveys. The technician will be provided with first aid, ATV/UTV, and plant and animal identification training. The technician will be stationed off-site but near Minidoka NWR in their own trailer, however, there will be opportunities to travel throughout the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex and assist in various activities. 

Timeline:

• Minidoka NWR: Late April/early May ;26 week appointment;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: 9-hour days with every other Friday off.

Location:

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Snake River Plain in south-central Idaho, 12 miles northeast of Rupert. It includes 80 miles of shoreline around Lake Walcott, from Minidoka Dam upstream about 25 miles. The refuge headquarters is located in Lake Walcott State Park. The USFWS manages the refuge. The US Bureau of Reclamation operates the dam and power plant and controls the water levels in the reservoir. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation manages Lake Walcott State Park, a 30-acre park near the dam that offers campgrounds, picnic areas, a disc golf course, cabins, and a boat ramp. About half of the refuge’s ~24,000 acres are open water and wetlands. The rest of the refuge is low, rolling uplands covered by sagebrush, grasses and isolated juniper patches amongst scattered outcrops of basalt. In this arid landscape, open water and wetland resources serve as an oasis drawing numerous wildlife species from miles around. Minidoka NWR attracts migrating and nesting waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds as well as pronghorn, mule deer, porcupine, raccoon, and mink. Rare wildlife on the refuge includes elk, moose, otter, bobcat, mountain lion and the St. Anthony Dune Tiger Beetle. Over 230 species of birds can be seen on the refuge, and from July – September, we can have over 100,000 molting ducks and geese. Groceries, medical care, and other services are 15 minutes away in Rupert and Walmart and Smiths are 30 minutes away in Burley. Larger stores and dining options can be found 1 hour away in Pocatello and Twin Falls. Minidoka NWR is central to exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities and larger cities including 2 hours to the mouth of the Sawtooth Mountains and Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, 2.5 hours from Boise and Salt Lake City, 3.5 hours from Yellowstone National Park, 4 hours from Grand Teton National Park, and 6.5 hours from Great Basin, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks.

Compensation and Benefits:

Living Allowance:  $325.00 weekly before taxes;

Segal AmeriCorps education Award : $3,697.50 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; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: Will be provided for selected participants at no additional costs;

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:

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

• Knowledge and interest in botany and plant identification;
• Prior experience with invasive plant management preferred;
• Willingness to utilize chemical herbicide treatment methods;
• Experience utilizing hand-held GPS units and/or PDRs for navigation and/or data collections, along with basic computer skills;
• Ability to carry backpack sprayer or up to 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition;
• Experience operating 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;
• Experience with towing and backing-up a trailer, desirable; and
• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record.

Additional requirements:

• Ability to self-direct and self-motivate;
• 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 terrain;
• Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and follow safe working practices;
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, GBI and agency staff, and a diverse public;
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time (e.g., digging, bending over, hauling material, hiking);
• Must pass US Fish and Wildlife Service UTV/ATV training; 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.