Vegetation Technician (NPS, Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS, Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve is recruiting one (1) AmeriCorps member to serve as a Vegetation Technician. The selected AmeriCorps member will serve under the direction of the assigned Park Service Staff. Project activities may occur at other southern Idaho parks (Minidoka National Historic Site, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Big Hole National Battlefield, and possibly City of Rocks National Reserve).

Individual placements will have the opportunity to serve with park staff on resource projects for the purpose of providing the broadest range of experiences and exposure to the NPS and natural resource management. 

The Vegetation Technician will assist with and support a variety of botany-related efforts; and will identify, inventory, map, and as necessary, treat noxious and invasive weeds or non-native populations.

Primary Responsibilities:

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

Vegetation Management Duties:

• Actively participate in training sessions that include invasive plant and noxious weed identification, herbicide safety (including applicator certification if interested), technical training with associated software, UTV and 4WD operation, and first aid;
• Treat noxious and invasive weed populations by hand, mechanical treatment, or through chemical Application of herbicides;
• Monitor and inventory wilderness and non-wilderness public lands for noxious and invasive weeds, and non-native plant populations;
• Map treatment areas and plant populations using a hand-held PDR (personal data recorder) and/or GPS unit;
• Survey and map threatened, endangered, and sensitive (TES) plant species in order to refine population boundaries for species of management concern, including updates to program database(s), GIS files, and related documentation;
• Forest health monitoring including hazard tree surveys;
• Serve in a team setting; and
• Maintain equipment.

Restoration:

• Native seed collection in an effort to facilitate increased availability of local plant genotypes for reclamation of surface disturbances on public lands;
• Analyzing collecting and propagation needs;
• Maintaining program database and documents;
• Seed dispersal in restoration sites; and
• Planting seedlings in disturbed areas.

Other duties:

• Preparing print and/or oral information to educate the public about invasive species; and
• Assist wildlife team, as needed.

Timeline:

• Late May or early June through November or December 2026; 26 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: 4 days a week, 10 hours a day.

Location:

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is located in the high desert of southern Idaho. The scenic area, managed cooperatively by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management, encompasses lava fields with many volcanic features, and sagebrush steppe grasslands. Opportunities for hiking and exploring unique geologic features, wildlife, and cultural history abound.

Compensation and Benefits:

Living Allowance: approximately $1520 biweekly (before taxes); not to exceed $19,760

Segal AmeriCorps education Award (900 hours): $ 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: Park housing is available at Craters of the Moon at no additional cost.

Travel Reimbursement: Not-to-exceed $2400. 

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)

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, botany, or related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and field experience (current students welcomed);
• Enthusiasm about the position, with interest in and knowledge of botany and invasive species monitoring;
• Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the PNW and/or Great Basin;
• Proficiency using dichotomous keys, such as the Jepson Manual or Flora of the PNW to identify vascular plants;
• Experience with ArcGIS applications such as Field Maps and/or Survey 123;
• Ability to safely navigate to field sites using maps/compass and handheld GPS devices;
• High level of proficiency leading field work in dynamic field settings;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Experience with data entry and QA/QC procedures;
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills;
• Possession of a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license;
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS 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
• Applicant must meet PLC age requirements.

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.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable members with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the ability to perform strenuous fieldwork in remote and rugged environments. Vegetation Technicians should be prepared to hike several miles per day over uneven, rocky basalt, and sometimes steep terrain while carrying field gear such as backpacks, herbicide sprayers, GPS units, and monitoring equipment (up to approximately 40 lbs). Work frequently occurs outdoors in variable and sometimes extreme weather conditions including heat, sun exposure, wind, and sudden temperature changes common to high desert environments. Duties may require bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and standing for extended periods while conducting plant surveys, mapping populations, and performing weed treatments. Technicians must be able to safely operate hand tools, mix and apply herbicides according to safety guidelines, and load or unload equipment and supplies. Occasional travel in 4WD vehicles or UTVs on rough roads may be required.