ACE: Lead Range Technicians, Bridger-Teton National Forest- Blackrock Ranger District

ACE EPIC USFS (WY): Bridger-Teton National Forest, Lead Range Technician

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bridger-Teton National Forest is seeking two Lead Range Technicians for 16 weeks. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals with a background in Rangeland Management or a related field, with a deep interest in jointly advancing their career goals and the stewardship of Wyoming's natural resources through purposeful fieldwork and research.

The leads will assist the Forest Service on the North Zone (Jackson and Blackrock Ranger Districts). Some project work may occur on other districts across the forest. This opportunity will allow the leads to work under the supervision and guidance of professional range and natural resource specialists performing a variety of duties related to rangeland management including allotment inspections, monitoring and implementation of on the ground noxious weeds and invasive plant control. Less frequently, the participant may conduct monitoring of sensitive plant species populations.

Start Date: May 24th or as soon as available

End Date: September 17th

Location: Bridger-Teton North Zone: Blackrock & Jackson Ranger Districts . Duty Station will be Blackrock Ranger Station.

The North Zone includes both the Teton Wilderness and Gros Ventre Wilderness. The district borders Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It is home to the headwaters of the Yellowstone River and the Continental Divide.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest offers more than 3.4 million acres of public land for your outdoor recreation enjoyment. With its pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands, the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprises a large part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 United States. Offering nearly 1.2 million acres of designated Wilderness, over 3,000 miles of road and trail and thousands of miles of unspoiled rivers and streams.

Project Websites: For more information regarding Bridger-Teton National Forest, please click here.

For more information regarding the ACE EPIC program, please click here.

Living Allowance: The members should anticipate serving 40 hours/wk and will receive a living allowance of $600/wk for food and incidentals, dispersed bi-weekly. There is possibility for camping in remote locations for backcountry work trips over an extended period of time. Per diem will be provided for camping and any training that requires travel off the North Zone.

Housing: Housing is available at the Blackrock Ranger Station as shared housing and full RV hookups. Cost generally ranges from $5 - 7 per day depending on occupancy.

Training Provided: This is a leadership role, and members will be expected to train team members in a variety of capacities. That being said, Leads will still have the opportunity to be mentored by Forest Service permanent staff in a variety of disciplines related to this role. Members can expect training and mentorship in landscape level planning, general-broad scale plant identification, invasive mitigation planning and techniques, horseback riding, data collection and reporting, among other things.

Work Schedule: Work schedules are flexible through the season and may be greater than 40 hours during a seven day work week, not to exceed 80 hours over a two week pay period. Members should generally expect to work 10 hours days.

Project Objectives:

• Operate, maintain, and inventory weed management equipment.
• Mix, maintain, and calibrate herbicides and pesticides for use in rangeland environments.
• Inventory, monitor, and map existing weed populations utilizing agency data collection applications, commercial global positioning systems and topographic maps.
• Conduct rangeland rehabilitation and restoration projects.
• Work with permittees, partners and cooperators within the geographic area to ensure weed management efforts are successful.
• Checks range allotments to assess appropriate time to graze, compliance with management plans and operating instructions, number of livestock, herding procedures, salting, range improvement, and maintenance.
• Inspects allotments before and after grazing for trespass stock and if found, gathers necessary brands, numbers, dates, and locations. Reports non-compliance or other management needs to the supervisor.
• Estimates the utilization of available forage by all grazing animals and determines as closely as possible the percent of use by each class of animal.
• Using accepted indicator plants determines range readiness and advises supervisor. Surveys known plant populations to determine trends.
• Conducts surveys of project location to determine presence/absence of plant species.

• Completes necessary data entry and management.
• Provides bi-weekly reports on accomplishments.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a degree in Range/Natural Resource Management or relevant professional experiences in closely related fields. Candidates with Masters Degrees and an interest in a career in public lands management are strongly encouraged to apply. Resumes and cover letters must show detailed key project experiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience using saddle and pack stock to perform field duties is a desired skill, although not a requirement for the position.
• Wyoming QAL license preferred, members will have the opportunity to take the exam in their first two weeks of service.
• 4x4 vehicle and ATV experience
• Members should be capable of working alone, or with other people, during early morning hours, night, or during the day.
• Members should be capable of working in remote locations for backcountry work trips over an extended period of time, primitive camping

Required:

• Experience and/or ability to learn the use of GPS units.
• Database management and ArcGIS software experience.
• Members must have a high a high fitness level, be able and willing to work outdoors and be capable of lifting 50 lbs
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Proven ability to be both self-directed/work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a team.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals
• Proficient in English
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request)
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check
• ACE is a drug free workplace and reserves the right to drug test at any time Members must be at least 21 to apply for any ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency/ACE vehicles for duties.

The member must be willing to represent ACE and the Forest Service in a professional, positive and enthusiastic manner.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/. If use of saddle and pack stock are indicated, please provide one reference who has supervised your use of stock while performing duties.

Note: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE USFS Recruitment Coordinator Jack Hall at Jhall@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.