The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with USFWS at Sheldon-Hart NWR, is recruiting one (1) AmeriCorps Volunteer to serve as refuge technician. The GBI Refuge Technician will support refuge staff in management across the refuges. 

The Technician will support invasive species management, refuge management, and recreation at Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. Occasionally, the Technician may travel to Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge to assist with projects there. Primary attention will be focused on invasive species mapping and EDRR (Early Detection, Rapid Response), invasive species treatments, boundary fence checking and repair to exclude feral horses, sign inventorying and repair, and campground management (such as cleaning privies, restocking toilet paper, etc.). Opportunities to interact with other staff and programs, such as habitat management, stream restoration, and wildlife monitoring will be offered as time allows and according to the Technician’s interests. To be safe and successful at this remote refuge, the technician will learn a suite of field skills such as remote communications (radio, inReach), safe operation of ORUVs and 4WD vehicles, and Great Basin plant ID. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Survey roads and riparian areas for priority invasive plant species;
• Operate ORUVs and 4WD vehicles safely, including when towing;
• Check and repair boundary fence;
• Inventory and repair signs;
• Manage refuge campgrounds, including cleaning privies, restocking toilet paper, etc;
• Assist with invasive species treatments, including herbicide application and mechanical removal;
• Record data in the field using mapping tools such as FieldMaps, Avenza, Survey123, QuickCapture, and ContextCam; 
• Capture photo monitoring points in treatment areas; and
• Assist other staff and programs as needed, such as wildlife monitoring, stream restoration habitat management, maintenance, and safety. 

The Fish and Wildlife Technician assists public land management agency staff with a variety of functions  including, but not limited to:

• Adhering to field protocols and office procedures to ensure timely, accurate, and safe completion  of project tasks;
• Implementing wildlife surveys and monitoring activities;
• Conducting and supporting project research, environmental policy (e.g. NEPA, CEQA, ESA  Section 7) consultations, and document preparation;
• Creating and manipulating data and maps using geographical information system (GIS);
• Entering data into databases (e.g. Microsoft Access and Excel) and completing appropriate  Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures; and
• Assisting with outreach and education activities. 

*Volunteers are required to take a mandatory 30-minute lunch break each service day. This break does not count toward their service hours for the education award.

Timeline:

• July 13th, 2026 - October 2nd, 2026, 12 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 10 hours daily.

Location:

The Sheldon and Hart Mountain Refuges are part of a Refuge Complex in the high desert of southeast Oregon and northwest Nevada, collectively managing over 900,000 acres, with our administrative headquarters in Lakeview, Oregon. Both refuges were established for the protection of pronghorn and other sagebrush dependent wildlife species. The Refuges are very remote with groceries, medical care, and other services located 2 hours away in Lakeview, Oregon. Verizon is generally the only cell service available on either Refuge but is very limited and patchy, including at the bunkhouses.  

Compensation and Benefits:

Living Allowance:  $640 biweekly (before taxes); not to exceed $10,608;

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (450): $1956.35 upon successful completion of term;

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;
• Access to Pro Deals; and
• Eligibility for SNAP benefits, Loan Forbearance, and Loan Interest Accrual Repayment.

Housing: This position will be housed primarily at the Sheldon Refuge bunkhouse. The bunkhouse has a fully equipped kitchen with stoves, microwaves, refrigerators/freezers, and cookware and flatware; a laundry room (although you need to supply your own detergent); Wi-Fi; and bedrooms with twin beds. Bedrooms will be double occupancy during busy periods. A 4-wheel-drive truck will be provided for work.

Segal Education Award:

After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service Volunteers are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Award varies based on term of service. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.

Student Loan Forbearance:

If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps Volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.

Interest Accrual Repayment:

As an AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:

AmeriCorps Volunteers are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Qualifications:

Required:

(This AmeriCorps position is open to US Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents age 17 or older)

• Education and technical experience: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed or are working towards a degree in a natural resources field;
• Interest in pursuing a natural resources career;
• Ability to live in a remote area far from medical services, groceries, etc.; 
• Willingness and ability to hike long distances in rugged terrain;
• Strong communication and organization skills;
• Ability to work safely and independently in remote areas;
• Driving: Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record;
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to [AGENCY] human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application; and
• AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of botanical terminology and plant identification;
• Experience with field work; and
• Experience with trailering, 4WD trucks, and ORUVs.