Botanical Society of America
AmeriCorps Vegetation Technician (USFWS, Sheldon-Hart National Wildlife Refuge)
Botanical Society of America, Oregon, Wisconsin, United States, 53575
AmeriCorps Vegetation Technician (USFWS, Sheldon-Hart National Wildlife Refuge)
Position Title: AmeriCorps Vegetation Technician (USFWS, Sheldon-Hart National Wildlife Refuge)
Position Type: Temporary Position
Application Review Begins: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Department/Division: Research Associate Program
General Information The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with FWS at Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC), is recruiting four (4) AmeriCorps members to serve as Vegetation Technicians who will work alongside FWS to support post‑wildfire vegetation monitoring. Vegetation Technicians will support all aspects of the wildlife habitat programs at Sheldon‑Hart Mountain NWRC. Primary attention will be focused on post‑wildfire vegetation monitoring to assess restoration actions on several wildfires, ranging from 1 to 7 years old. Other vegetation work will include habitat condition assessments in sage‑grouse and bighorn sheep habitats, surveying for invasive species, and native seed collection to support fire restoration. Technicians will gain a broad understanding of wildfire and juniper issues facing the Intermountain West, and the tools/methods available for assessment and restoration. The projects span sagebrush‑dominated systems on both refuges, including important habitat for sagebrush‑dependent wildlife such as sage‑grouse and bighorn sheep. Technicians will be provided with first aid, ATV/UTV, and plant identification training. Technicians will be stationed at both Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, working as a team on both refuges throughout the season.
Timeline
May 4, 2026 – August 8, 2026 (13 weeks)
Full time (40 hours/week)
Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 10 hours daily
Location Sheldon‑Hart Mountain NWRC is located in the high desert of southeast Oregon and northwest Nevada, collectively managing over 900,000 acres. Administrative headquarters are in Lakeview, OR. Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (Denio, NV) and Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (Plush, OR) protect pronghorn and other sagebrush‑dependent wildlife species, and hold one of the few intact sagebrush steppe ecosystems remaining in the Great Basin. The landscape is vast, rugged, punctuated with waterfalls, narrow gorges, and lush springs among rolling hills and expansive tablelands of sagebrush and mountain mahogany. Summers are typically warm and dry with cool nights; early spring temperatures can be below freezing and sometimes snowing. The refuges are remote, with groceries, medical care, and other services located two hours away in Lakeview, OR.
Compensation and Benefits
Living Allowance: $1,280 biweekly (before taxes); not to exceed $23,522.00
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (450 hrs): $1956.35 upon successful completion of term
Company‑paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost; access to Pro Deals; eligibility for SNAP benefits, loan forbearance, and loan interest accrual repayment.
Housing Housing is provided at both the Hart Mountain and Sheldon bunkhouses, depending on project assignment. Bunkhouses are fully equipped with a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and bedrooms with twin beds. Both bunkhouses have potable and hot water, heat, and air conditioning. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and living rooms are communal. Each bedroom has two beds; privacy is attempted, though double occupancy is common during busy periods. Wi‑Fi is usually available, but speed may be erratic due to remoteness. A personal vehicle is recommended but not required; a 4WD truck will be provided for all work‑related travel.
Segal Education Award After completing an AmeriCorps term, members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used to repay student loans or pay educational expenses at eligible institutions.
Student Loan Forbearance Members may put federal student loans into forbearance during service, allowing them to cease payments while serving.
Interest Accrual Repayment As an AmeriCorps alum, members may receive payment of accrued interest on qualified student loans by the National Service Trust, adding to the Education Award.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility AmeriCorps Volunteers are eligible for SNAP.
Qualifications / Requirements
Interest in botany and plant identification
Interest in fire ecology and wildfire restoration
Willingness to live remotely
Ability to use hand‑held GPS units or mobile phones for navigation and data collection, basic computer skills
Ability to hike rough, rocky, and steep terrain
Ability to operate 4WD trucks on and off‑road
Knowledge and experience operating off‑highway vehicles (UTV/ATV), desirable
Experience with towing and backing‑up a trailer, desirable
Ability to self‑direct and self‑motivate
Strong attention to detail
Good organizational skills
Tolerant of variable weather conditions; willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather; able to hike 2–5+ miles daily on uneven and steep terrain
Ability to work productively as part of a team, following safe working practices
Effective communication with a diverse public
Valid, state‑issued driver’s license with a clean driving record
U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status; eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or two full‑time awards); pass National Sex Offender Public Website and federal criminal background checks; adhere to rules, regulations, and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; not engage in prohibited activities.
A relevant degree or coursework towards a relevant degree (e.g., Conservation Science, Fisheries and Wildlife, Ecology, Environmental Science) is preferred but not required
Positive attitude and willingness to learn
Strong work ethic
Effective organization and data management skills
Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
Ability to adapt and problem‑solve in unexpected, changing, or adverse conditions
Experience living and/or working in a remote area
Responsibilities
Post‑wildfire vegetation monitoring using quantitative and qualitative survey protocols
Photo point monitoring
Habitat condition assessments
Invasive species surveys and treatment
Native seed collection
Wildlife surveys (e.g., pygmy rabbits and pika) as time allows
Members are required to take a mandatory 30‑minute lunch break each service day. This break does not count toward service hours for the education award.
Application Instructions Please apply online through the application link by submitting an up‑to‑date resume, a one‑page cover letter detailing your interest, any additional qualifications, and contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions and sign the application.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants may be eligible for PLC non‑competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants to meet age and U.S. citizenship requirements. Further information is available on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.
Note This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive; employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.
Disclaimer Although the organization has attempted to accurately describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the duties outlined, add to or subtract from them, at any time, with or without advance notice.
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Position Type: Temporary Position
Application Review Begins: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Department/Division: Research Associate Program
General Information The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with FWS at Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC), is recruiting four (4) AmeriCorps members to serve as Vegetation Technicians who will work alongside FWS to support post‑wildfire vegetation monitoring. Vegetation Technicians will support all aspects of the wildlife habitat programs at Sheldon‑Hart Mountain NWRC. Primary attention will be focused on post‑wildfire vegetation monitoring to assess restoration actions on several wildfires, ranging from 1 to 7 years old. Other vegetation work will include habitat condition assessments in sage‑grouse and bighorn sheep habitats, surveying for invasive species, and native seed collection to support fire restoration. Technicians will gain a broad understanding of wildfire and juniper issues facing the Intermountain West, and the tools/methods available for assessment and restoration. The projects span sagebrush‑dominated systems on both refuges, including important habitat for sagebrush‑dependent wildlife such as sage‑grouse and bighorn sheep. Technicians will be provided with first aid, ATV/UTV, and plant identification training. Technicians will be stationed at both Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, working as a team on both refuges throughout the season.
Timeline
May 4, 2026 – August 8, 2026 (13 weeks)
Full time (40 hours/week)
Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 10 hours daily
Location Sheldon‑Hart Mountain NWRC is located in the high desert of southeast Oregon and northwest Nevada, collectively managing over 900,000 acres. Administrative headquarters are in Lakeview, OR. Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (Denio, NV) and Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (Plush, OR) protect pronghorn and other sagebrush‑dependent wildlife species, and hold one of the few intact sagebrush steppe ecosystems remaining in the Great Basin. The landscape is vast, rugged, punctuated with waterfalls, narrow gorges, and lush springs among rolling hills and expansive tablelands of sagebrush and mountain mahogany. Summers are typically warm and dry with cool nights; early spring temperatures can be below freezing and sometimes snowing. The refuges are remote, with groceries, medical care, and other services located two hours away in Lakeview, OR.
Compensation and Benefits
Living Allowance: $1,280 biweekly (before taxes); not to exceed $23,522.00
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (450 hrs): $1956.35 upon successful completion of term
Company‑paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost; access to Pro Deals; eligibility for SNAP benefits, loan forbearance, and loan interest accrual repayment.
Housing Housing is provided at both the Hart Mountain and Sheldon bunkhouses, depending on project assignment. Bunkhouses are fully equipped with a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and bedrooms with twin beds. Both bunkhouses have potable and hot water, heat, and air conditioning. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and living rooms are communal. Each bedroom has two beds; privacy is attempted, though double occupancy is common during busy periods. Wi‑Fi is usually available, but speed may be erratic due to remoteness. A personal vehicle is recommended but not required; a 4WD truck will be provided for all work‑related travel.
Segal Education Award After completing an AmeriCorps term, members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used to repay student loans or pay educational expenses at eligible institutions.
Student Loan Forbearance Members may put federal student loans into forbearance during service, allowing them to cease payments while serving.
Interest Accrual Repayment As an AmeriCorps alum, members may receive payment of accrued interest on qualified student loans by the National Service Trust, adding to the Education Award.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility AmeriCorps Volunteers are eligible for SNAP.
Qualifications / Requirements
Interest in botany and plant identification
Interest in fire ecology and wildfire restoration
Willingness to live remotely
Ability to use hand‑held GPS units or mobile phones for navigation and data collection, basic computer skills
Ability to hike rough, rocky, and steep terrain
Ability to operate 4WD trucks on and off‑road
Knowledge and experience operating off‑highway vehicles (UTV/ATV), desirable
Experience with towing and backing‑up a trailer, desirable
Ability to self‑direct and self‑motivate
Strong attention to detail
Good organizational skills
Tolerant of variable weather conditions; willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather; able to hike 2–5+ miles daily on uneven and steep terrain
Ability to work productively as part of a team, following safe working practices
Effective communication with a diverse public
Valid, state‑issued driver’s license with a clean driving record
U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status; eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or two full‑time awards); pass National Sex Offender Public Website and federal criminal background checks; adhere to rules, regulations, and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; not engage in prohibited activities.
A relevant degree or coursework towards a relevant degree (e.g., Conservation Science, Fisheries and Wildlife, Ecology, Environmental Science) is preferred but not required
Positive attitude and willingness to learn
Strong work ethic
Effective organization and data management skills
Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
Ability to adapt and problem‑solve in unexpected, changing, or adverse conditions
Experience living and/or working in a remote area
Responsibilities
Post‑wildfire vegetation monitoring using quantitative and qualitative survey protocols
Photo point monitoring
Habitat condition assessments
Invasive species surveys and treatment
Native seed collection
Wildlife surveys (e.g., pygmy rabbits and pika) as time allows
Members are required to take a mandatory 30‑minute lunch break each service day. This break does not count toward service hours for the education award.
Application Instructions Please apply online through the application link by submitting an up‑to‑date resume, a one‑page cover letter detailing your interest, any additional qualifications, and contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions and sign the application.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants may be eligible for PLC non‑competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants to meet age and U.S. citizenship requirements. Further information is available on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.
Note This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive; employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.
Disclaimer Although the organization has attempted to accurately describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the duties outlined, add to or subtract from them, at any time, with or without advance notice.
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