Vegetation Member (USFWS, Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the Fish & Wildlife Service at Sheldon Hart National Wildlife Refuge, is recruiting Four (4) AmeriCorps members to serve as Vegetation Technicians alongside FWS staff. 

The Vegetation Technician will participate in various aspects of the habitat restoration programs. Through these projects, the technicians will gain a broad understanding of fire, juniper, and stream restoration issues facing the Intermountain West, and the tools/methods available for assessment and restoration.  These projects span habitats occupied by sage grouse to bighorn sheep in the sagebrush dominated systems at both refuges.  The technicians will be provided with first aid, ATV/UTV, and plant identification training.  Technicians will be stationed at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge but will work as a team on both refuges throughout the season.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Post-fire treatment vegetation monitoring;
• Juniper assessments in sage grouse and bighorn sheep habitats;
• Stream restoration using low-tech process-based techniques;
• Spring and playa assessments; and
• Seed collection to support fire restoration.

* 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:

• Term Length: 14 wks;
• Term dates: June 8 – September 13, 2025 (or as soon as possible);
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule:  9-10 hours days.

Location:
Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge is one of two refuges within the Sheldon-Hart Mountain NWR Complex.  The 270,000-acre refuge was established for the protection of antelope and other sagebrush dependent wildlife species.  It is located approximately 65 miles northeast of Lakeview, Oregon near the small rural community of Plush.  The area is remote, with the nearest gas station, groceries, medical care, and other services are available in Lakeview.  Additional services and amenities are available in Bend, OR, a 3-hour drive northwest of the Refuge.  Summers are typically warm and dry with cool nights.  

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is located about 90 miles east of Lakeview, OR and 100 miles west of Winnemucca, Nevada, near the small rural town of Denio, NV.  The 570,000-acre refuge was established for the protection of antelope and other sagebrush dependent wildlife species.  The area is remote, with the nearest groceries, medical care, and other services are available in Lakeview and Winnemucca.  There is a gas station available in Denio Junction, NV. Summers are typically warm and dry with cool nights.  

Compensation and Benefits:
Living Allowance: approximately $640 biweekly (before taxes); not to exceed $8960;
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award 450hrs: $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. Housing is a shared dormitory complete with kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, showers, living area, and Wi-Fi.  

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 qualify 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)

• Interest in botany and plant identification;
• Willingness to live remotely;
• Ability to utilize hand-held GPS units and/or PDRs for navigation and/or data collections, 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;
• Experience with towing and backing-up a trailer, desirable;
• Driving: Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record;
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to [AGENCY] human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application; 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: 

• 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 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.