National Park Service Fire Ecology Program

Fire Ecology, GIS, and Botany Technician

The Pueblo and Four Winds Fire Ecology Program is stationed at Bandelier National Monument in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. The Fire Ecology Program focuses on monitoring and research, collecting both short and long-term data on permanent vegetation and fuel plots located on NPS lands in northern New Mexico. The data are used to provide information about the composition and structure of vegetation and surface fuels prior to and after management treatments (e.g., prescribed fire and thinning) with an emphasis on threatened and endangered species habitat. The data are used to evaluate if objectives are being met, to measure the effectiveness of fire and thinning prescriptions, and to determine if additional research is needed. Long-term monitoring can also reveal significant trends to help guide fire management planning and decision making.

Position Description

We are seeking motivated and hard-working individuals interested in fire ecology, botany, GIS, ecology, wildland fire, public outreach, and the integration of Indigenous Knowledge. Technicians will be part of a 4- to 6-person crew, responsible for collecting data on vegetation and fuel plots located at Bandelier National Monument, El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, and Valles Caldera National Preserve. The vegetation communities range from lower elevation pinyon and juniper woodlands to mid elevation ponderosa pine forests, and upper elevation mixed conifer and spruce forests. Primary duties include collecting data on field plots, plant identification using taxonomic keys and field guides, and data management and entry. Other opportunities may include data analysis and graphing, working on threatened and endangered species projects, participating in public outreach events, and learning about and considering ways to integrate Indigenous Knowledge into the fire ecology program. Technicians may complete an individual project. Past projects include using GIS to create plot location maps, creating data reports, newsletters, and posters to represent and communicate data collected during the field season.

Location

Technicians will be provided housing in Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico, or in the nearby town of Los Alamos. A personal vehicle is recommended. Bandelier is located an hour from Santa Fe in northern New Mexico. This 34,000-acre park, situated on the slopes of the Jemez Mountains, spans an elevational gradient from 5,500 ft. to 10,200 ft. and contains extensive ancestral Native American sites, rugged canyon country, and a diverse assemblage of plant and animal life. Fieldwork will be conducted in Bandelier, El Malpais, El Morro, Salinas Pueblo, and Valles Caldera. Approximately two weeks of overnight trips to different parks will be required. Recreational opportunities include backpacking, climbing, biking, kayaking, hiking, and skiing.

Duration

We are seeking four technicians, two 12-week (3-month) positions and two 30-week (7-month) positions. The 12-week positions have a start date of approximately June 9, 2025; a stipend of $565 per week; and a $1,956.35 education award after completion of service hours. The 30-week positions have a start date of  May 27, 2025; a stipend of $575 per week; and a $3,697.50 education award after completion of service hours.

Duties May Include

• Participating in safety briefings detailing the local potential safety issues and hazards (e.g., lightning, rattlesnakes, dehydration)
• Working collaboratively on a field crew to install vegetation and fuel plots and collect ecological field data
• Using ArcGIS Field Maps and Avenza for location and navigation
• Driving on dirt roads and hiking to plot locations
• Managing, entering, checking, and analyzing field data
• Using ArcGIS Pro to create plot location maps
• Communicating data results with park staff
• Traveling to work sites: El Malpais, El Morro, Salinas Pueblo, and Valles Caldera
• Learning local plants, how to use plant identification guides, and contributing to plant books created by the Fire Ecology Program
• Working with Resource Management divisions in parks to complete wetland surveys, forest surveys, Jemez Mountains salamander surveys, NM meadow jumping mouse surveys, beaver re-introductions, and other natural resource projects
• Contributing to the development of fire ecology materials and participating in public outreach events
• Learning about and considering the integration of Indigenous Knowledge into the fire ecology program
• Working on local prescribed fires to collect data related to spread rate, flame length, flame height, smoke, and other fire behavior elements for prescribed burns
• Monitoring weather and collect weather data, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, for prescribed burns and/or wildfires

Desired Qualifications

• BS/BA and/or interest in Forestry, Forest Sciences, Ecology, Fire Ecology, Botany, Biology, GIS, Wildlife, Physical Science, Climate-related fields, or other related field of study
• Related coursework: Ecology, Botany, Forestry, Statistics, Biology, Soils, ArcGIS, Chemistry, Natural History, Wildlife, Indigenous Knowledge and communities, climate and climate change, or similar
• Ability to use or quickly learn to use taxonomic (dichotomous) keys for plant identification
• Ability to identify or quickly learn to identify plants (grasses, herbs, shrubs, and trees) specific to the southwest region of the United States
• Ability to work in an office setting to enter, error check, and analyze ecological field data
• Ability to use ArcGIS Pro for mapping
• Ability to hike long distances in rugged terrain, carrying heavy loads, in sometimes inclement weather
• Willingness to camp in rural or backcountry settings
• Must be 18 years of age or older

Benefits

• Weekly stipend of $565 (12-week positions) or $575 (30-week positions)
• Free housing (and utilities) in Bandelier National Monument (no WiFi in housing) or Los Alamos
• AmeriCorp education award upon completion of service hours, $1,956.35 for 12-week positions and $3,697.50.00 for 30-week positions
• Opportunity to analyze, report, and present ecological field data
• Exposure to a diversity of vegetation communities in several areas in New Mexico, including Bandelier, El Malpais, El Morro, Salinas Pueblo, and Valles Caldera
• Opportunity to learn the plants of the southwest and how to use a dichotomous key
• Exposure to a variety of fire ecology, forestry, and vegetation sampling techniques, helping to obtain future employment in environmental fieldwork
• Opportunity to learn about the National Park Service Fire Management and Fire Ecology Programs and how these programs contribute to the restoration of natural areas
• Opportunity to learn about prescribed fire and the fire ecology of southwestern ecosystems
• Learn to work cooperatively on a field crew and have the opportunity to create both personal and professional relationships
• Possibility to receive wildland firefighter training and work on local prescribed fires
• Opportunity to live, work, and explore National Parks and mountain towns with access to outdoor adventures and spectacular views in the southwest