Seeds of Success Crew Leader – Santa Fe, NM

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Agency

Conservation Corps New Mexico

Location

Based in Santa Fe, NM with travel throughout the state expected

Job Category

Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Salary

$720/week; paid training; health benefits; grocery budget while camping in the field

Start Date

05/16/2022

Last Date to Apply

05/01/2023

Website

https://jobs.silkroad.com/ConservationLegacy/Careers/jobs/3102

Description

POSITION OVERVIEW: The crew leader will supervise two crew members for a Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Seeds of Success (SOS) team, operated by Conservation Corps New Mexico. The crew will be based out of the BLM New Mexico State Office in Santa Fe, NM. The crew will collect seeds from native species in remote areas on BLM Land and on occasion State, Private, and Public Lands across NM, following SOS protocols.. The crew will collaborate with regional crews to make seed collections. The crew leader will be trained in planning techniques for a successful field season. Subsequently, the crew leader will help train the crew members and will contribute to a regional seed collection training. Crews will be required to drive to different areas throughout New Mexico, camp overnight, potentially hike several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management. This position requires significant driving relative to other types of field work. Crew leaders must be prepared for long days driving and scouting from a truck. Safety is a pre-requisite, particularly where industry development (energy extraction, e.g. Natural gas) is occurring and during hunting season, and will guide how fieldwork is conducted. The crew leader will be responsible for adhering to check-out/check-in procedures and communications via cell phone or SPOT device to ensure crew safety. Seed collected by BLM is saved in short- and long-term storage to support development of plant materials for land restoration purposes by BLM and other entities. The crew leader will oversee and be accountable for successful data management, including record filing, database input, and seed processing. The New Mexico BLM SOS program collaborates closely with the Southwest Seed Partnership, and the crew leader will be expected to contribute to regular restoration planning meetings related to ongoing seed collection efforts. Specific duties will include selecting and locating populations of plant species based on the established SOS Protocol, and locally developed target species lists. The crew leader will oversee fieldwork and work with crew members to locate populations of targeted species, monitor phenology of the population, collect botanical voucher specimens, assess seed quantity and quality prior to seed collection, collect seed, record site data, prepare documentation, and ship collected seed for cleaning and short-term storage. The ability to identify plants both in the field and in the office via dichotomous keys is an important function of the position. However, help with plant ID will be provided and IDs will be reviewed. The crew leader will use ArcGIS tablet applications (i.e. ArcCollector) software to locate and document collections. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles in rugged off highway situations is expected. Familiarity with this equipment is highly desirable, but training will be provided where needed. While Seeds of Success is the primary focus, the crew will also assist with other conservation program projects during the summer to promote additional education and experience. When or if available, interns may participate in local BLM sponsored training sessions, outside symposia, and coordination meetings. CREW LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES: Supports and manages the field crew’s safety and wellbeing, consistently exercising discretion and judgment. Plans and carries out seed collection efforts, following Seeds of Success (SOS) protocols, throughout New Mexico to support Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conservation strategies. Coordinates field logistics, scheduling, crew tasks, and management of the crew’s equipment. Is the primary contact between the crew, the CCNM supervisor, and BLM staff; effectively coordinates with BLM Staff to complete seed collection of priority species throughout New Mexico. Completes necessary administrative paperwork. Before, during, and after field data collection, the leader is responsible for the organization and quality control of all data collected. The crew leader will be required to write reports to present to various BLM offices and stakeholders. The crew leader should be passionate about sound science principles, be an advocate for the botany program at the BLM, and have a willingness to learn about the importance of native plant materials development in land management within the BLM. This is a full-time, temporary position that requires overnight camping and non-traditional work hours inclusive of weekend and evening hours.

Qualifications

MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS: • Full vaccination against COVID-19 by the first day of employment and ability to provide proof of vaccination before starting. • Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after initial training period; must be capable of performing well in an office setting, as well as the field. • Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, in remote areas on unimproved roads and driving for extended periods of time. • Ability to work in and respond to adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and sun exposure, monsoonal rains, flash flooding, lightning, and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions, bears). • College Graduate (BA/BS) with degree in botany, plant ecology, plant biology, plant systematics, ecology (preferred); or with experience in botany and a degree in environmental science, range science, wildlife biology, natural resource management, conservation biology, or a related field. • Aged at least 21 years upon hire. • Ability to produce identification as stipulated by I-9 upon hire. • Valid US driver's license and insurable driving record. • Ability to pass Conservation Legacy's Criminal History Check and DOI Background Check. • Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Suite software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). • Experience spending multiple days (1-8 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas; familiarity with and willingness to adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles. • Excellent communication, organizational, and planning skills. • Experience working as part of a team and ability to work well with others. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Previous leadership experience in botanical fieldwork leading a group of two or more people. • Seed collection experience. • 1 to 2 years of experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens. • Familiarity with New Mexico flora in general and Flora Neomexicana III. • Experience with Floras from adjacent states to New Mexico. • Experience working in regions with high floristic diversity. • Experience with ArcGIS tablet applications and basic troubleshooting (Collector and Survey 123). • Experience with ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcGIS Online interface. • Knowledge of creating maps, performing basic analysis and organizing data. • Knowledge of downloading, using, and syncing ArcGIS Online Maps. • Experience collecting, managing and summarizing data for plant monitoring programs. • Experience performing quality assurance, quality control, and data analysis using Microsoft Excel and R. • Current CPR, Wilderness First Responder and Defensive Driver Training Certificates. • Field Safety and Risk Management Training. • Previous DOI background check within the last 2 years. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: • Physically capable of standing and walking (approximately 2 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending, crouching and stooping for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds in upwards of 100 degree (F) heat while maintaining a positive attitude. • The individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. • Ability to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms. • Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain. • Ability to drive/be in vehicle for up to 10-hours per day. • This position calls for high levels of concentration. A large amount of travel is required to conduct fieldwork, provide assistance to other field offices, and to provide or receive training. • Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR: • Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to adapt to challenges and changing plans or conditions. • Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason. • Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. • Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. • Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, the BLM and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times. • Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environments. SAFETY AND JUDGEMENT: • Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. • Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds. • Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. • These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crisis. • Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. • If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others. SUBSTANCE FREE: In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property. BACKGROUND CHECK: A Department Of Interior background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report to duty. The BLM will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after the candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start the position. This process will determine the exact start date. PUBLIC LAND CORPS: The Public Land Corps (PLC) program provides the opportunity for people between the ages of 18 and 30 years to work on conservation projects on public lands. Participants must successfully complete 640 hours that include at least 120 hours on federal lands through the PLC. PLC members are not federal government employees, but those who successfully complete the PLC requirements are then eligible to use, for two years, a noncompetitive hiring status for consideration when applying to competitive service positions. https://www.blm.gov/careers/students-and-grads/public-lands-corps

Contact Person

Michelle Norris

Contact eMail

[email protected]

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