Position Title: LiDAR Monitoring Technician Intern (Region 1) – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements – East

Site Location:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Region

911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232

Terms of Service: 18 Weeks

• Start Date: 05/05/2025
• End Date: 09/05/2025 (End Date Flexibility)
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placement Program (STE) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants within the program work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to build institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards Individual Placements, an AmeriCorps affiliated program, is partnering with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to host a LiDAR Monitoring Technician Intern.

STE in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Region 1 is looking for individuals to serve as interns in the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Monitoring Project. LiDAR integrates the latest forest vegetation and ecosystem surveying technology into land management practices. Terrestrial LiDAR scanning (TLS), surveying, and monitoring protocols gather empirical data to inform active habitat management on refuges.

The primary purpose of this position is to apply a systems approach to the study and analysis of ecological systems and the effects of wildland fire management activities. The incumbent assists with monitoring as well as the planning and implementation of ecological surveys and ecosystem management practices for various refuge programs within the region.

Work is tentatively planned at Little Pend Oreille NWR in NE Washington, for the refuges in the Willamette Valley in western Oregon, and Klamath Marsh/Bear
Valley refuges in eastern Oregon. Additional work sites may be identified over the next few months. It is anticipated that 3-4 weeks will be spent at each refuge.
Training will include Terrestrial LiDAR Systems training and collection of field data in support of installing tier 2 monitoring plots. Various refuge activities will also be accomplished to diversity the work experience

Click here to visualize and learn more about the Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging Monitoring Program!

Description of Duties:

• Operate LiDAR Technology/ Data Collection: Coordinate with supervisor to receive required training on LiDAR use and maintenance for proper data collection in the field.

*Training will include terrestrial LiDAR system operation and tier two monitoring plots designed to collect information on fuel loading and vegetation type.

• Driving to/from duty station to field sites: Practice proper vehicle maintenance and inspection as well as defensive driving

*Training will include defensive driving course and vehicle evaluation.

• Data evaluation and quality control: Ensure proper data collection is conducted, and data management processes are followed to ensure quality data is recorded and stored on appropriate databases.

*Training will include collecting and processing LiDAR and other monitoring
information given specific protocols.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Between the ages of 18 – 30, Veterans up to 35 years of age
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal format
• Background in botany, biology, or other natural science areas is preferred
• Candidates with experience in driving 4x4 trucks in remote locations are preferred.
• Ability to learn and apply new technologies in remote field settings
• Ability to work and live in remoter areas is required
• Must be willing to to hike off trail and navigate using GPS systems
• Must be able to work with and coordinate activities with other team members.

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Working Conditions/Physical Effort:

The LiDAR Interns may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on varying terrain and potentially under physically demanding circumstances.

These conditions:

• Present the possibility of injury and exposure to hazards such as heat, humidity, and insects.
• Require long hours in isolated settings
• Require physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions on potentially difficult or hazardous terrain
• Require the ability to occasionally use hand tools and/or light machinery
• Require the willingness to travel frequently, work varying shifts, and potentially overnight stays.

Time Requirements:

• Exact service schedules may vary. Work week can be Monday-Friday, Monday-Thursday or Wednesday to Wednesday. A half-hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
•  Members must commit to a 36-to-40-hour work week schedule to meet AmeriCorps Ed Award Requirements.

Orientation and Training:

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
•  Members will receive a Stewards New Member Orientation with assigned program support.
• Stewards will provide Stewards 101 Training within the beginning of the term ‘s start to familiarize members with Stewards Model and service expectations amongst peers.
• Members will receive training by collaborating with staff throughout organization and meetings with local organizations with a shared mission.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $300 per week.
• Field Gear Stipend of $500, as needed
• Relocation Stipend of $500 ($250 at the start and $250 at the end of service)
• Housing will vary based on refuge location. Additional benefit will supplement housing costs.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

STE Program Staff:

Kahla Stewart

Program Coordinator

Stewards Individual Placements

(423) 402-6004

kstewart@conservationlegacy.org

Service Site Staff:

Todd Rankin

Regional Fuels Specialist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Region 1

todd_rankin@fws.gov

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.