Summary

The American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, is seeking 2 Hydrology and Ecosystems Team Members to contribute to the management of limited water resources through inventory and monitoring of springs, streams, and riparian areas occasionally alongside BLM staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May/June 2025 (pending federal background check)
Estimated End Date: 21 weeks after the start date
*a 21-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Winnemucca, NV

The Winnemucca District Office manages 11 million acres of public lands in northwest Nevada. The area is typical of the Great Basin, with large desert valleys surrounding numerous mountain ranges up to 9,000 feet in elevation. The vast, sparsely populated area provides many do-it-yourself outdoor opportunities for recreation. This position is based in Winnemucca, which is by far the largest town in the District and has a wide range of amenities, including rental housing, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, Walmart, and entertainment offerings. 

The closest airport is in Reno, Nevada (about 2.5 hours, 170 miles away). Other airport options are located in Boise, ID, or Salt Lake City, UT. There is an Amtrak Station in Winnemucca that travels to and from Reno, NV, or Salt Lake City, UT on most days of the week. Winnemucca is also a reasonable-sized city for bicycle commuting. A personal vehicle is NOT required for the position, but is strongly encouraged as it makes the applicant's days off much more enjoyable.

For more information about the Winnemucca District Office, please visit their website.

Position Overview:  Field work will be carried out by a team of two, and at least 50% of the crew’s time will be spent in the field monitoring springs, streams, and riparian areas. 

Fieldwork includes completing surveys, data collection using field forms or tablets, and monitoring hydrological resources both for management and research purposes. Office duties will largely consist of field preparation, GIS map making, data management, data entry, administrative work, and reporting findings to BLM staff. Data collected will include water quantity and quality, streambank stability, vegetation composition, and vegetation utilization by cattle. This team’s efforts are vital to the District’s successful ability to complete priority riparian and aquatic inventory and monitoring work. Furthermore, it’s hard to overstate the importance of BLM partnerships with local organizations to create meaningful conservation jobs.

Crews will often be working and hiking in remote locations without cell service, however, radios and satellite phones will be provided. BLM will provide 4x4 vehicles or UTVs for all fieldwork. UTVs and trailers may be needed to reasonably access some remote locations, and crews will be trained on how to operate all equipment safely.

The successful applicant will assist the Winnemucca District with the following specific projects:

• Complete 50 miles of Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) surveys throughout the District
• Complete monthly groundwater monitoring of 10 piezometers on 4th of July Meadow
• Optional additional work could involve assisting with the District’s Stream Temperature Monitoring program and Springs Inventory program

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Crews should anticipate working 40 hrs/week and will generally work Monday-Thursday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with occasional work on Fridays. Flexible start/end dates in May/November.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM and ACE and is not flexible.

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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility. 

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and is not provided by ACE or the BLM.

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $200/week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $580.00 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding the distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

Provided Training/Orientation:  ACE members will receive an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, and networks for support. Crew members will be trained in BLM Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) protocols. Springs and Stream Temperature monitoring protocol training may also be provided. Hands-on training, including field techniques, GIS, database management, UTV operation, First Aid/CPR, and plant identification will also be provided to all crew members.

Qualifications 

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas. 
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• 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.

BLM Required:

• Applicants should have or be working towards a degree in biology, hydrology, fisheries, environmental studies, or related fields.
• Pass a federal criminal background check.
• Physically capable of hiking up to 5 miles daily across rough terrain while carrying field gear.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of riparian ecosystems.
• Knowledge of riparian and wetland plants in the Great Basin.
• Experience collecting water quality/quantity measurements.
• Experience using ArcGIS.
• Experience navigating and driving in remote areas on unimproved roads.
• Experience using handheld GPS devices.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking, and hearing. Manual dexterity is required for the use of various tools. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently, working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, or resources. 

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the BLM or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to BLM and ACE equipment training, certification, and safety protocols is required.