Range Technician III (Range Specialist Lead) - 1219 at North Wind Resource Consulting in Yuma, Arizona

Job Description:

Location: Yuma, AZ
Title: Range Technician III (Range Specialist Lead)
Schedule (FT/PT): FT/Temporary
Travel Required: Yes
Clearance: No

Incorporated in 2011, North Wind Resource Consulting's core capabilities include environmental documentation and permitting; natural and cultural resource surveys; wildlife and botanical expertise; National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) technical services; historic and prehistoric surveys; environmental consultation such as Section 106 for cultural resources, Section 404 for wetlands, and Section 7 for endangered species); and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping capabilities. North Wind Resource Consulting maintains offices across the country.

Job Description

North Wind Resource Consulting has multiple openings for a Range Technician III in the following locations: Northern Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Idaho Falls, ID. Qualified candidates will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• Lead a team of 2 - 3 entry level and mid-level Range Technicians on field sampling assignments.


• Follow established field protocols in performing vegetation sampling (including species inventory, foliar cover, canopy gap, species abundance, and herbaceous and woody heights).


• Collect and maintain field data pertaining to vegetation sampling (including species inventory, foliar cover, canopy gap, species abundance, and herbaceous and woody heights) at pre-determined sampling locations.


• Provide guidance to entry level range technicians on the collection and maintenance of field data.


• Establish sampling plots and transects.


• Dig soil pits to identify and characterize soil horizons to correlate sites with ecological site descriptions (ESDs).


• Make qualitative range assessments.


• Take photo-points of range assessments and vegetation samplings.


• Enter data into handheld Trimble CASI units and uploading photographs to the NRCS server.


• Identify plants to species using dichotomous keys.


• Employ extensive QA/QC data checks.


• Extensive 4x4 driving on unmaintained roads with and without lower level technicians as needed.


• Navigate off-trail to sampling sites with and without lower level technicians as needed


• Identify and describe soil horizons to help verify ecological site descriptions (ESDs).


• Maintain safety awareness and practices.


• Regular communication with North Wind support staff and NRCS range staff.


• Participation in North Wind and NRCS training.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in botany, rangeland science, biology, natural resource management, soils, ecology or closely related field and three (3) years of experience to include:
  - Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key;
  - Experience in describing and identifying soil horizons preferred;
  - Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols, including standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots, and site observations;
  - Experience with data entry and management;
  - Reading, interpreting and navigating using topographic maps;
  - Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads; and
  - Experience navigating with hand-held GPS units; OR


• A combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.


• Special consideration given to candidates with a Master's Degree in botany, rangeland science, biology, natural resource management, soils, ecology or closely related field and one (1) year of experience.


• Special consideration given to candidates with 1000 field hours with North Wind.


• Strong work ethic required.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and attention to detail.


• Ability to follow written and oral instruction.


• Ability to provide guidance and instruction to lower level technicians.


• Ability and willingness to travel to various field locations, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather and rugged terrain.


• Ability to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads required.


• Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.


• Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights).


• Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of the NRI program and North Wind's commitment to providing the NRCS with the highest quality data.


• Flexibility with position location within field district offices.


• Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the sampling area and associated natural resource issues preferred.


• Experience in and willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field.


• Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles.


• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check.


• Must have REAL ID ACT compliant documentation at time of hire and nothing on record that would prohibit employment on Federal Government contracts.
  
  

North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work-life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people! For more information about our benefits or hiring philosophy, visit the North Wind Career Opportunities Page.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The nature of those accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Helpline +1.208.528.8718 or use the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form to get assistance.

North Wind is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, religion, or other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Proof of citizenship will be required as a condition of employment.