Noxious Weeds Team Member
Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with BLM Roseburg District Office, is seeking One Noxious Weeds Team Member to contribute to invasive plants management projects alongside BLM Staff.
The BLM will strive to provide the members with opportunities to shadow conservation professionals to learn about botanical disciplines. However, a foundational knowledge of botany and plant identification is required for this position and prior experience in the field is preferred.
Start Date: March 2023
Estimated End Date: * 26 weeks from start date
Location Details/Description: Roseburg, Oregon
There are numerous hiking, camping, and water sport opportunities on lands managed by Roseburg BLM, Umpqua National Forest, and Crater Lake National Park. The many rivers and lakes within western Oregon provide both whitewater and flat water boating opportunities. The North Umpqua River east of Roseburg is internationally recognized for its fishing. The larger communities of Eugene, Medford, and Portland are one, two, and three hours drive, respectively, from Roseburg. These cities have airports and all of the amenities of larger communities including large music and theater venues.
The town of Roseburg is located at an elevation of 465 feet. Average temperatures range from a low of 36 degrees in the winter to a high of 86 degrees in the summer. Some 100 degree days are to be expected in the summer. Average annual rainfall is approximately 33 inches. Snowfall on the valley floor is unusual, and summer humidity is very low.
The BLM Roseburg District stretches from the foothills of the coastal range to the foothills of the Cascade mountains. Much of the terrain is steep and uneven. Vegetation ranges from forests dominated by Douglas-fir to oak woodland and grasslands. Poison oak is common in non-forested sites. Ticks are common, especially in grassy or shrubby areas. Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are known to occur within the area. Some field locations have poor or no cell-phone reception; however, the BLM will supply two-way radios with excellent coverage and dispatch support. Most BLM roads are natural dirt- or gravel-surfaced. After completing a driving assessment conducted by the BLM, the Members will drive BLM vehicles.
For more information about Roseburg District Office, please visit Roseburg District Office | Bureau of Land Management for further location details and check out this great video of the area https://youtu.be/5cCT71knkyY.
Position Overview: This position will support the Roseburg District's invasive plants management program. The work will be in support of various activities taking place on the Roseburg District, including timber, riparian restoration, recreation, and post-fire Burned Area Rehabilitation. Additional projects will take place at the North Bank Habitat Management Area, a 6,000 acre Area of Critical Environmental Concern managed for Columbian white-tailed deer habitat and several rare plant species.
Primary duties:
- Survey and map noxious weed infestations.
- Treat noxious weed infestations using integrated pest management methods including manual treatment (hand tools), mechanical treatment (e.g., weed whips), and herbicide.
- Monitor noxious weed treatment areas to determine efficacy of treatments and need for future treatment.
Additional duties include but are not limited to:
- Planting native plants and seed in conjunction with ongoing riparian restoration projects and burned area rehabilitation.
- Rare plant monitoring at North Bank Habitat Management Area.
- GIS data management.
- Data entry.
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Schedule: The work schedules will generally be five 8 hour days with weekends off. Some summer projects may require four 10 hour day work weeks. This will be primarily a field going position.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or BLM. However, a housing allowance will be included at $100/week. There is limited public bus service within the Roseburg area. Roseburg itself is fairly compact and bike commuting is a reasonable option in town. A car is necessary to enjoy the majority of the region.
Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.
The members can expect to learn (or improve upon) the following skills: identification of vascular plants in Western Oregon, use of a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit and GIS (Geographic Information System) software, appropriate treatment methods for target noxious weeds, and vegetation survey and monitoring techniques. Members will be required to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's License; training and support will be provided to help members acquire the license. In addition, the Members will have opportunities to interact with a variety of BLM specialists and learn about public land management issues.
Qualifications
Applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, and have experience with botany, either in the field or through coursework. Prior outdoor field experience is preferred. This is a demanding outdoor position that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility, participation in the field, and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions.
ACE Required:
- Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
- Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
- Willing to undergo and must pass the required [two-part criminal history check].
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
- ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.
BLM Required:
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals.
- Members must have experience with Botany in an academic and/or field setting.
- Members must be comfortable using herbicide. Training on safe herbicide use will be provided.
- Must be comfortable working long hours in the field under sometimes arduous conditions (heat, cold, rain, biting/stinging insects) and able to travel long distances on foot over rugged terrain with a backpack sprayer.
- Pass a federal background check.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager, Celia Demers at cdemers@usaconservation.org
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.