Vegetation Management Steward - Northwest Youth Corps – AmeriCorps 675 Hour Coos Bay BLM
Position Summary:
Summer 2018 - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is currently recruiting for an intern to conduct noxious weed
inventory and treatments primarily in Coos, Curry and coastal Douglas counties. The internship is in North Bend Oregon
and AmeriCorps service will occur throughout the Coos Bay District of the Bureau of Land Management. Intern is
expected to work full time during the summer and may continue into the early fall part time.
Duties and Responsibilities: Major duties include driving, surveying, data entry and weed control treatments. Driving will occur in town, along highways, county roads and BLM roads (primarily gravel logging roads) in order to access BLM projects. Surveying includes looking for noxious weeds and other invasive plants along roads and rights-of-ways and entering data about populations found using a hand held Juno Trimble Geographic Positioning System (GPS) unit or similar mobile device. Generally, data entry is done at the time of surveys however, some data entry may include typing or digitizing weed infestations into a database and uploading data from the GPS unit into the National Invasive Species Information Management System, a geodatabase. BLM will provide training on use of GPS unit and geodatabase. Intern will also participate in monitoring treatments done by contractors and collecting monitoring data on the GPS. The intern will also assist with treating invasive plants to protect, rare plants, unique areas, wildlife habitat and forests, this often consists of hand pulling, but may include the use of propane torches or herbicide application. Additional duties will include assisting with collecting and processing seed, collecting and pressing plants, processing plant collections, working with other interns or youth crews, and other duties as assigned. Approximately 40% of time will be spent surveying for invasive plants, 25% of time will be spent doing weed control treatments, 25% of time will be monitoring and 10% other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
Terms of Employment: One AmeriCorps member will serve a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), starting June 4, 2018. Starting date and hours are negotiable. Time commitment is a minimum of 675 hours from June through September 2018.
Program Benefits: A $4,422.54 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis, a $2,215.00 education award upon completion of the 675 hours of service and/or position requirements. The living allowance and education award are taxable. Members are responsible for food but housing will be provided upon request. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal and driving background check.
Duties and Responsibilities: Major duties include driving, surveying, data entry and weed control treatments. Driving will occur in town, along highways, county roads and BLM roads (primarily gravel logging roads) in order to access BLM projects. Surveying includes looking for noxious weeds and other invasive plants along roads and rights-of-ways and entering data about populations found using a hand held Juno Trimble Geographic Positioning System (GPS) unit or similar mobile device. Generally, data entry is done at the time of surveys however, some data entry may include typing or digitizing weed infestations into a database and uploading data from the GPS unit into the National Invasive Species Information Management System, a geodatabase. BLM will provide training on use of GPS unit and geodatabase. Intern will also participate in monitoring treatments done by contractors and collecting monitoring data on the GPS. The intern will also assist with treating invasive plants to protect, rare plants, unique areas, wildlife habitat and forests, this often consists of hand pulling, but may include the use of propane torches or herbicide application. Additional duties will include assisting with collecting and processing seed, collecting and pressing plants, processing plant collections, working with other interns or youth crews, and other duties as assigned. Approximately 40% of time will be spent surveying for invasive plants, 25% of time will be spent doing weed control treatments, 25% of time will be monitoring and 10% other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground
- Willingness to work independently or as part of a team in an outdoor setting
- Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs
- Experience navigating by reading maps and aerial photos
- Attention to detail
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- A positive attitude
- Ability to use computer programs such as email, Word, Excel, GIS
- Current Driver's License
- Knowledge of Northwest natural resources and plants
- Coursework in biology or botany and strong interest in conservation
- Previous experience using GPS units
Terms of Employment: One AmeriCorps member will serve a term of service (length dependent on commitment of hours), starting June 4, 2018. Starting date and hours are negotiable. Time commitment is a minimum of 675 hours from June through September 2018.
Program Benefits: A $4,422.54 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis, a $2,215.00 education award upon completion of the 675 hours of service and/or position requirements. The living allowance and education award are taxable. Members are responsible for food but housing will be provided upon request. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal and driving background check.