The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with BLM at Ridgecrest Field Office, is recruiting one (1) Recreation Planning Technician to participate in supporting the Ridgecrest Field Office by conducting recreation planning projects in the Ridgecrest Field Office. This project will support the BLM by increasing capacity to initiate and complete several larger planning initiatives within the Field Office.  

This project will assist with off-highway vehicle recreation and resource management objectives in several high-use areas. The technician will be tasked with route inventory, campsite inventory, updating GIS databases, and working with staff specialists to ensure accuracy of BLM route maps. The technician will also be organizing data on previous restoration projects, working with restoration technicians to complete data collection and planning projects, and beginning an updated NEPA documentation process for two environmental analyses. Some minor recreation projects may be completed as well including, but not limited to, minor fence repair, sign installation, and sweeping out vehicle tracks.

Primary Responsibilities:

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Fieldwork to complete motorized route and campsite inventories;
• Data collection using ESRI mobile applications Field Maps and Survey123;
• Data stewardship, analysis, and map creation using ArcGIS Pro;
• Preparing project descriptions and analysis for NEPA compliance documentation;
•  Working with staff specialists to obtain input for NEPA and NHPA processes; and
• Upkeep of minor recreation structures such as fences and signs.

Timeline:

• Start Date: October or November, 52 weeks (1 year);
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: 5/8 schedule or 4/10 schedule.

Location:

Located in California's western Mojave Desert, Ridgecrest is a community of about 30,000 people that serves as a gateway to some of the state's most unique public lands. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada to the west and vast desert landscapes in every direction, the area offers easy access to hiking, camping, climbing, off-highway vehicle recreation, and countless opportunities to explore. While Ridgecrest is considered a remote community, it has the amenities needed for day-to-day living, including grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, medical facilities, and other essential services. Larger cities such as Bakersfield and Lancaster are about two hours away, providing additional shopping, entertainment, and travel options. The BLM Ridgecrest Field Office manages more than 1.8 million acres of public land, including iconic desert landscapes, important wildlife habitat, and some of the most popular recreation areas in the western Mojave Desert. 

Benefits and Compensation:

Compensation: $27 hourly;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Competitive PTO accrual and paid holidays;
• Eligible for 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Experience with recreation site inventories, travel and transportation management, GIS data management, and/or NEPA document preparation is preferred;
• Candidates with a strong interest in learning these skills and developing proficiency are encouraged to apply;
• Ability to work independently in remote desert environments;
• Comfortable driving 4WD vehicles on rough, unpaved roads;
• Willingness to spend extended periods working outdoors in varying weather conditions;
• Ability to perform physical tasks, including repairing and maintaining fencing and signage, lifting equipment, and hiking over uneven terrain;
• Proficiency with computers and the ability to complete office-based tasks, including data entry, GIS work, and technical documentation;
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills;
• Valid driver's license and safe driving record; and
• Must be able to pass a U.S. Department of the Interior security background check.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The overall nature of the (Indoors/Office) position is sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.