ECDP Natural Resources Technician – Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA

position Summary

One Natural Resources Technician (Seasonal Worker, Full-time, 40 hours/week) position is available with the Colorado State University (CSU) Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML). This position will provide entry-level training and experience on a range of natural resources projects supporting the Natural Resources Management (NRM) program at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA.

ECDP participant will assist VSFB NR personnel and contractors/cooperators in conducting NR tasks. These will primarily include species specific wildlife or plant surveys. Primary work tasks will be assistance with the western snowy plover program, bat acoustic collection, marine mammal surveys, and assistance organizing data/files. ECDP participant may assist with other staff in the office, including NEPA, cultural resources, rangeland management, and/or compliance if a need arises and timing doesn’t conflict with higher priority NR tasks. NR managers and staff will train ECDP participant and if they are able to work independently, tasks will be assigned as appropriate to the skill level.

This position is not-to-exceed 168 working days.

Potential work activities may include but are not limited to the tasks listed. The technician will assist with and once trained, potentially work independently on:

• Species specific wildlife or plant surveys
• Assist with vegetation mapping
• Supporting the western snowy plover program through:
• Maintaining fences
• Public outreach and education
• Assist with Feral Pig trapping/removal
• Assist with nesting bird surveys and response to human/wildlife interactions.
• Assist with bat monitoring program – roost surveys and/or placement of bat acoustic detectors per established protocol
• Design informational signs about natural resources for the public
• Site assessments for various projects
• Assist with marine mammal surveys
• Rattlesnake relocation
• GIS coordination/data collection
• Records management
• Other INRMP related tasks, to include administrative work as needed
• Troubleshoot solutions to issues that arise on above topics with guidance from NR managers.

This position is onsite, and the Natural Resources Technician must have reliable transportation to the site. The ECDP is unable to provide relocation or housing stipends.

Full Consideration Date is 23 March at 12:00 am.

CEMML’s Early-career Development Program provides students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals the opportunity to learn more about land management in the military and federal lands context. ECDP positions are the perfect opportunity to build connections, be mentored, and gain hands-on experience. Working under the guidance of seasoned natural or cultural resource professionals, participants learn practical applications and techniques. Participants contribute to conservation efforts and increase their understanding of the regulatory framework and the complexities of managing natural and cultural resources.

To learn more about CEMML’s contributions to land management, our mission, vision, and values, visit http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/.

Essential Job Duties:

Fieldwork

• Conduct field work, which can include management for wildlife, vegetation, invasive species, threatened and endangered species, wetlands, forests, and/or outdoor recreation areas, GPS data collection, field mapping, photography, public outreach and/or education, etc.

Administrative

• Office-based tasks can include data entry and management, public outreach, preparing site forms, writing technical reports, compliance documents, database and data management, spatial analysis, and/or preparing correspondence and other documentation.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; the department will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Must be able to pass a federal background investigation to obtain a Department of Defense Installation Access Pass. You will need to possess a Real ID or passport
• Must be able to work long hours independently in remote, rugged field conditions under harsh weather conditions.

Supervision:

None

Minimum Qualifications

• Pursuing a B.S. in natural resources-, cultural resources-, ecosystem science-, or environmental policy-related field (at least a senior standing).
• At least 3 months and no more than 3 years of relevant experience, which may include internships, fieldwork, seasonal jobs, volunteer work, or applied coursework.
• Basic field data collection skills (eg. Vegetation surveys, wildlife monitoring, GPS-based mapping; academic or field school experience would count)

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently enrolled or holder of a Graduate Degree in natural resources-, biology-, or environmental science-related fields.
• Experience using GPS equipment to collect field data.
• Experience flora and/or fauna monitoring or management (specify taxa/ecosystem/regions of prior experience).
• Experience with threatened and endangered/sensitive species monitoring and management.
• Experience performing habitat restoration or invasive species management.
• Experience with manual labor using powered tools and heavy equipment such as chainsaws, weed-eaters, mowers, tractors, ATVs/UTVs etc.
• Proficiency with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro) and database management.