Position Title: LiDAR Monitoring Technician Intern (Region 2) – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements – East

Site Location:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

4400 Masthead St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

Terms of Service: 26 Weeks

• Start Date: 06/02/2025
• End Date: 11/28/2025
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 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 2 is looking for individuals to serve as an intern crew of three in the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Monitoring Project. LiDAR integrates the latest forest vegetation and ecosystem surveying technology into land management practices.

The interns will utilize TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanners) to capture pre and post prescribed and wildfire fuels vegetation data. TLS is a terrestrial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) remote sensing technology. Interns will collect scans from the lasers along with cover vegetation and overstory tree data at various wildlife refuges throughout the Southwest. This position is primarily field based, however, data processing in the form of offloading scans will be a daily occurrence.

This position is field based, and camping during the work week is possible, though most refuge’s offer government housing in the form of shared bunkhouses. Plot locations are typically within walking distance of a vehicle and road, but inclement weather and adverse field conditions are likely throughout the season. The crew will monitor plots in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona

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

Description of Duties:

• Collecting TLS Scans: Member will participate in 1 week-long training at the start of their term to learn about the BLK 360 Gen 2 lasers, and the protocol for taking scans in the field
• Collecting vegetation transect data: Member will participate in 1 week-long training at the start of their term to learn about vegetation cover data collection and following monitoring protocols
• Navigating to field locations: Member will learn about field navigation using GPS units and basic field etiquette and safety during week-long training at start of term

- Travel to remote sites, drive 4x4 vehicles, and navigate through rugged terrain using GPS.

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.
• A degree or progress towards one in forestry, biology, natural resources management, GIS, or related field. (Relevant experience can be substituted)
• A minimum of one full field season conducting vegetation monitoring data collection
• Experience using Field Maps and Survery123
• Experience with following established field monitoring protocols and field data collection
• Demonstrates ability to work well with others in a crew setting
• Ability to interact professionally with U.S. Fish and Wildlife refuge staff including ecologists, biologists, and fire managers and personnel
• Ability to manage field gear and equipment
• Comfort with field work and an inconsistent schedule are crucial
• Eagerness to learn new technology and trouble-shoot
• Candidates with experience in driving 4x4 trucks in remote locations are preferred

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:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. 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.
• Members will participate in a weeklong program/project specific training with USFWS staff.
• UTV Training

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Living Allowance equivalent to $15/hr
• Field Gear Stipend of $500 as needed
• Relocation Stipend of $500 ($250 at the start and $250 at the end of service)
• Housing at each location to be determined
• S-130/190 Fire Fighter Type 2 Training

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:

Sam Brodley

Ecologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Region 2

Samantha_brodley@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.