The Great Basin Institute’s Ecological Monitoring Program focuses on collecting monitoring data to inform conservation and management of natural, cultural, and recreational resources in the Intermountain West, while providing emerging professionals opportunities to begin or enhance their careers. This program provides hands-on experience with rangeland surveys, terrestrial vegetation monitoring, and field data collection.  

One component of the program works in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) to implement a suite of Rapid Ocular Assessment Monitoring methods across Nevada’s rangelands.  The goal of this program is to provide ecological monitoring data to inform conservation planning and adaptive management decisions. This data is used by resource specialists and land managers to inform future resource management decisions focused on protecting Nevada’s biodiversity and restoring productive terrestrial ecosystems to support wildlife. 

For the 2026 field season, GBI is recruiting a Rangeland Assessment Specialist to work with GBI and NDOW staff. The Specialist will work with and supervise one field technician to characterize vegetation and soil surface conditions on various sampling sites across northern Nevada. Additionally, the Specialist will assist with report generation once data collection is completed.  Monitoring projects are predominantly located in sagebrush ecosystems and focused on post-fire restoration and habitat improvement. 

During the first two weeks of training, the typical schedule is 5 days on (Monday-Friday) and 2 days off. During field work, car camping for 8 day “hitches” (Wednesday-Wednesday) in remote locations will be required, followed by 6 days off (Thursday-Tuesday). At the end of the field season, there are three weeks of office work, primarily focused on data QC and season wrap-up. 

Field work will include:

• Maintaining safety awareness and practices; 
• Extensive 4x4 driving on unmaintained roads;
• Navigating off-trail to sampling sites; 
• Establishing or revisiting sampling plots and transects; 
• Collecting vegetation data (including species inventory, forb diversity, species abundance, sagebrush shape, foliar cover, canopy gap, and herbaceous and woody heights);
• Making qualitative treatment assessments; and
• Taking photo-points.

Additional duties include:

• Regular communication with GBI support staff and agency staff;
• Participation in GBI and agency trainings;
• Entering data into both Field Maps and Survey 123 software;
• Identifying plants to species using dichotomous keys;
• Supporting extensive QA/QC data checks; and
• Assisting in report and project site summary generation.

Timeline and Location: 

• 4-person vegetation monitoring crew
• Based out of NDOW Field Office in Reno, Nevada
  • Crews will travel across Nevada to monitoring sites on BLM land
• Duration: 21 weeks from early March – August
  • Tentative start date: March 9, 2026

Compensation & Benefits: 

Wage:

• $25-27 per hour, depending on qualifications

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• Paid state holidays
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• $150 bi-weekly housing stipend; untaxed, used at applicant’s discretion as housing is not provided
• $41 camping per diem for every night in the field (up to 7 units in an 8-day work week)
• $32.30 monthly cell phone stipend
• Access to Pro Deals;

Qualifications

Experience, education, or a combination of both in botany and/or range management to meet the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in botany, biology, ecology, or rangeland ecology or other natural resources with at least 9 semester hours in plant or biological sciences;  
  AND/OR
• A minimum of 3 years of field data collection identifying plants;
• A minimum of 2 years’ worth of experience with Great Basin botany;
• A minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience;

Technical requirements:

• Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key; 
• Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols, including standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots, and site observations;
• Experience with data entry and management;
• Ability to read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps;
• Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units;
• Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads;
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access); and
• Experience with Field Maps, Survey 123, and ArcGIS Online.

Additional requirements:

• Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of NDOW and the mission of GBI;
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;
• Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the sampling area and associated natural resource issues preferred;
• Ability to work productively independently or as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals;
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public;
• Ability to accurately complete timesheets in a timely manner;
• Possess excellent organizational skills or willingness to learn;
• Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles;
• Experience in and willingness to spend up to seven consecutive nights camping with no amenities in remote locations;
• Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights); and
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition.

Notes: 

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.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer: 

Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice