Job Description

Job Title: Ecological Monitoring Project Manager

The Great Basin Institute is recruiting a committed Ecological Monitoring Project Manager to work with agency staff, GBI staff, and GBI field crews to assist in the implementation of Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) and allied projects located in multiple western states (position located in Reno, NV). Within GBI’s Ecological Monitoring Program, the overall objective of the AIM program is to provide quality land management assistance by producing consistent, landscape-scale monitoring data in support of the BLM national strategy for standardized resource monitoring. Sampling sites are predominantly located in sage grouse habitat, on public rangelands, or within designated priority areas. Field crews collect biotic, hydrologic, and soil qualitative indicators in conjunction with quantitative data to inform conservation planning and adaptive management decisions.

 Please follow this link for a video that highlights the BLM’s national strategy for landscape-scale data capture across the western states using AIM: http://youtu.be/LciTBPG2-Ss  

 The Project Manager will manage multiple projects and multiple field crews (5) across the western U.S. and will work with the Ecological Monitoring Program Manager and Program Director to oversee all aspects of implementation including planning, recruitment, training, deployment, logistics, and crew safety; project budgeting and responsible fiscal management; building and maintaining project partner relationships; and ensuring data quality and accuracy. 

 This position requires both office and field work, with frequent travel during the field season. Qualified applicants will have a background in Great Basin ecology, GIS, rangeland inventory methodologies, relational database concepts, project management including basic budgeting, and excellent written and oral communication skills. Extensive field experience including 4x4 navigation on backcountry roads, knowledge of GPS units and tablets for data collection, and well-developed observational skills are required.

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

Project Management & Coordination

• Proactively maintain regular communication with agency partners to coordinate and promote adaptive management, development and budgeting, and compliance with contract terms;
• Oversee and coordinate recruitment, management, training, and deployment of multiple field crews and personnel;
• Develop project plans, budgets, and ensure completion of project deliverables and objectives;
• Oversee equipment organization and maintenance, vehicle coordination, and team deployment;
• Oversee data management and delivery, which includes executing quality-assurance measures, performing quality-control data checks periodically throughout the field season;
• Travel to perform site visits, particularly during the field and shoulder seasons, to BLM districts/offices and field sites in designated western states;
• Collaborate with other GBI staff to ensure compliance with contract, grant, and agreement terms and conditions, including: budget management, financial reporting, payroll and invoice review and processing, and compliance with employer rules and regulations; and
• Promoting a culture of safety and maintaining safety communication and best practices with AIM crews during the field season.

Data Support

• Perform and improve upon the process of advanced quality control checks of extensive Microsoft Access, ArcGIS Online, and other datasets;
• Prepare and conduct formal and informal trainings remotely and in-person on data management, QA/QC procedures, GIS basics, and navigation using a GPS;
• Provide technical advice to crews on sampling protocols, database use, equipment (i.e., field tablet computers, GPS devices, software use), and implementation of the field season;
• Write technical reports summarizing data for partner agencies; and
• Conducting interim reporting and drafting summary reports.

Other

• Travel, camping, and site visits to ensure crews are collecting data accurately and efficiently and to meet with agency personnel.

Requirements/Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• College degree majoring in Natural Resources, Ecology, Botany, Soil Science or related field and at least three years of experience; those with an advanced degree are encouraged to apply;
• 2 years of experience in a leadership position overseeing personnel, budgets, and project deliverables; experience in project management strongly preferred;
• Relevant or related field experience – knowledge of and/or experience in sagebrush and desert ecosystems of the western United States preferred;
• Special attention will be given to applicants with experience working with the BLM and/or rangeland management agencies and to those familiar with Nevada;
• Understanding and proficiency in QA/QC of large databases as well as using and developing SQL queries;
• Understanding of GIS theory and application, including experience with ArcGIS Online;
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistical theory and application as it relates to rangeland ecology is a plus;
• Willingness to travel for site visits;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to work as a team member, occasionally in remote, backcountry settings under harsh and demanding physical conditions;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience including members of the public, agency resource and management staff, and GBI program and administrative staff;
• Willingness and ability to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the mission of GBI; and
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license; ability to operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads preferred.

LOCATION

Based at GBI offices in Reno, NV The “Biggest Little City in the World” the greater Reno-Sparks metropolitan area has a population of over 435,000. The city is a high desert landscape ~4,500 feet above sea level, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains along the Truckee River, as it flows from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. Weather is mild, but with distinct four seasons. Reno offers easy access to world-class outdoor recreation including driving distance to Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks, the Pacific Ocean, and California redwood forests. Closer to home, Nevada offers more natural hot springs than any other state in the country, over 150 named mountain ranges, and 30 peaks over 11,000 feet. Recreation and entertainment includes eight major ski resorts in proximity to the Reno-Tahoe airport; fishing and boating on Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, and Pyramid Lake; cultural festivals throughout the summer along the banks of the Truckee River; a thriving food scene and more.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Starting annual salary is $60k - $64.5k DOE. In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time, onsite position includes company paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members.  Mental health support resources are employer provided, as is 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match, competitive PTO accrual, paid holidays (10 per year), and family leave. Total compensation package is $67.7k - $72.3k per year, DOE.  This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

While the overall nature of this position is sedentary, this role will require in-field support of our field crews in the form of training and logistical support for 6-8 weeks out of the year. As a result, there will be exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.