ACE Easement Monitoring Technician - EPIC NRCS

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit Conservation Corps, is seeking an experienced Easement Monitoring Technician to support the implementation of conservation easement monitoring and reporting on Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) easements nationwide.

This opportunity is intended for emerging professionals with a background in natural resource management, conservation, environmental law, remote sensing, botany, ecology, planning, landscape architecture, or a related field with an interest in jointly advancing their career and the stewardship of private lands conservation through purposeful fieldwork, programmatic support, and hands-on training and experience with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Title: Easement Monitoring Technician

Department: EPIC Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

Reports to: Program Manager, NRCS Division

Location: Remote or Salt Lake City, UT

Status: Regular Full-Time (Term), Exempt

Compensation: Full-Time, 40 hours/week within a flexible schedule.

$48,000.00- $50,000.00 starting annualized salary range based on experience.

ACE offers a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision and supplemental insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, designated holidays, and 401k retirement for qualified employees.

Term: This full-time position is funded through September 2023

Travel: Significant domestic travel required, up to 25% time

Start Date: July 2021

Program Background and Objectives: NRCS manages the voluntary Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) programs to conserve, protect and enhance the nation's wetland ecosystems. These programs promote restoration, enhancement, protection and management of wetlands and their associated upland habitats on private lands. Private lands provide social, economic and environmental value on a local, national and global scale. Therefore, it is imperative to encourage and enhance sustainable practices to retain and enhance the value of such lands. To that end the NRCS is authorized to enter into these easement programs with private landowners and is responsible for the implementation and compliance upon these resources.

ACE supports NRCS at national and state levels by monitoring existing easements for compliance with deeds, assessing results of restoration work, and developing clear and informative reports to aid in the management decisions made by NRCS. We complete monitoring using both onsite and offsite techniques. We work closely with local, state and national level NRCS staff; technical restoration experts; engineers and lead field staff to provide efficient and high-level field work, remote monitoring, and reporting. Typically, 10-13 weeks/year will be devoted to travel related to onsite monitoring field work. Currently, onsite monitoring for this position has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of this position will be monitoring that can be completed from aerial imagery (offsite monitoring) until travel is deemed safe by ACE and our project partners.

For more information about NRCS easement programs, please visit: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/easements/ https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045079.pdf

For more information regarding ACE, please visit: http://www.usaconservation.org/

Essential Duties: The Easement Monitoring Technician will assist in key deliverables and outcomes of ACE's NRCS Division by conducting offsite and onsite monitoring; documenting ecological observations related to wetland vegetation, wetland hydrology, quality and significance of surrounding upland habitat, invasive and noxious species, wildlife habitat; and drafting deliverables including field reports, maps and photo documentation.

• Serve as lead monitor in offsite monitoring efforts on NRCS wetland easements by: carrying out review of aerial photography from various sources, producing high-quality deliverables, coordinating with sub-contractors tasked with monitoring, tracking progress, and providing regular updates to Program Manager and project partners.
• Travel on assignment to various states to conduct onsite field work on private conservation lands enrolled in NRCS easement programs:
  • Comprehensively review technical documents, property deeds and compatible allowed uses for each field site, and appropriately interpret findings with observations in the field.
  • Collect field data per established protocols and tools; report findings and observations through existing templates and platforms in a timely way.
  • Work collaboratively with partners (federal and state NRCS staff, consultants, scientists, engineers, landowners) and maintain strong professional relationships.
  • Assist in other compliance, restoration, monitoring and project implementation projects as requested.
• Conduct background research and reference document development in preparation for onsite monitoring in various states.
• Uses ArcGIS products to create maps and develop and maintain geodatabases.
• Assist Program Manager in the development and maintenance of process documentation and standard operating procedures for tasks related to monitoring.
• Maintain detailed records of travel expenses and logistics; report in a timely manner.
• Provide specialized assistance to the NRCS and/or consulting partners in data processing and report writing, as assigned.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a degree in natural resource management, remote sensing, environmental law, environmental science, ecology, biology, botany, range science, wildlife biology, conservation biology, land use planning, or a related field. Candidates with an advanced degree and an interest in a career in habitat restoration and/or resource management and monitoring are strongly encouraged to apply.

Required:

• Undergraduate degree (BS) in environmental science, remote sensing, land management or closely related field
• Genuine interest and/or knowledge in ecological restoration and land resource management
• Experience using satellite or aerial imagery to detect land uses and land use changes
• Plant identification skills that can translate to multiple habitats and landscapes
• Some field work experience; wetland exposure is a bonus
• Proficient research, analytical, organization and writing skills
• Strong time management skills; ability and desire to perform multiple and variable tasks
• Flexible and adaptable; capable of working well as part of a highly mobile, highly functional team with members located throughout the nation
• Comfortable communicating directly with resource professionals, landowners, consultants, contractors and federal agency staff
• Proven ability to work independently and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• Strong computer management skills including experience with online personnel databases and email, iOS, Google Docs, Excel, and MS Office
• Knowledge and experience with GPS units and ArcGIS software
• Ability to work independently in remote outdoor areas; able to hike and walk for extended periods of time, and be capable of lifting up to 50 lbs
• Proficient in English
• Must be able to legally work in the US
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record; comfortable driving ACE and/or government vehicles as needed
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check
• Willing to be drug free throughout position term. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in remote sensing, biology, botany, ecology, natural resources management or related field
• Knowledge of ecological functions and plant communities associated with wetlands and riparian habitats
• Experience creating process and/or procedural documentation
• Experience and/or familiarity with legal methods for private land conservation, e.g. conservation easements
• Experience identifying invasive and noxious plant species
• Practical knowledge of the general land use-planning process and land management programs
• Experience with various field data collection methods
• Proven communication skills with diverse audiences including landowners, contractors and scientists

To Apply: Please visit https://usaconservationstaff.applicantpool.com/jobs/ and select the "Easement Monitoring Technician" job posting to submit the following:

(1) your resume

(2) a cover letter describing why you are a good fit for this position

(3) contact information for three professional or academic references

Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview.

Deadline to apply: Position open until filled. Interviews will begin June 7, 2021. Target start date: July 2021.

EOE: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for ACE Easement Monitoring Technician EPIC NRCS Jobs in st-george, Utah (UT) at American Conservation Experience - Staff