Vegetation Monitoring (AIM) Technician 

POSITION TITLE: Vegetation Monitoring (AIM) Technician 

STATUS: Seasonal (April to August 2026 with potential of extension) full-time, Non-exempt.   

REPORTS TO: Crew Lead and Conservation Science Coordinator or Conservation Science Specialist  
POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: None 

LOCATION: Topaz Ranch Estates, NV 

EXPECTED PAY RANGE: $20-22/hr, plus $40/night per diem while on hitch  

Description: The Walker Basin Conservancy partners with the Bureau of Land Management to implement Assessment Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) surveys in western Nevada and eastern California. The AIM strategy is designed to collect standardized inventory and long-term vegetation and soils data to monitor habitat at multiple scales across the Western U.S. The Vegetation Monitoring Technicians will work in teams of three (two technicians and a Crew Lead) to conduct vegetation and ecological monitoring surveys within western Nevada (Carson City District) or eastern California (Bishop Field Office). There will be two crews in NV and two in CA. Crews will work on eight-day hitches, from Wednesday to Wednesday (10hr/day), with six days off in-between hitches.  

The ideal candidate will  

• Possess experience, knowledge and skills related to natural resources sampling, and data management. 
• Comfortable performing repetitive tasks with high accuracy and precision. 
• Be organized and efficient in the field and work well in a small team. 
• Comfortable working outside in remote settings and camping in the field.  

Requirements 

• Foster a positive and productive team by fostering a cooperative and supportive environment.  
• Ability to collaborate and communicate in a small team setting and work individually when necessary. 
• Ability to keep organized and capture detailed and complete data records utilizing ESRI applications (Survey123 and FieldMaps). 
• Collect vegetation and soil data (i.e. species richness, canopy cover, soil texture). Working knowledge of plant identification utilizing dichotomous keys, as well as experience with habitat monitoring, particularly Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) methods strongly preferred.  
• Ability to work outside in remote locations in extreme weather conditions. Past backcountry camping or hiking experience is preferred, but not required.  
• Navigate to field sites on rough roads with 4x4 trucks or UTVs. 
• Hike up to 6 miles a day carrying up to 40lbs.  
• Demonstrate Conservancy’s Core Values: Make a Difference, Ensure Excellence, and Own It. 

Benefits 

• Employer paid health, dental and vision plans. 
• Generous vacation, holiday time, and sick leave. 
• Gear stipend of $100 
• Pro-deals for outdoor industry.  
• Employer paid professional development.  

Location 

The conservancy’s field office is located in Topaz Ranch Estates in Wellington, Nevada, a rural farming community located approximately 75 miles south of Reno, NV. Employees live in neighboring communities like; Gardnerville, Yerington and Reno. Some of the nearby attractions, activities, and recreational opportunities include: 

• Camping, biking, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and paddling 
• Fishing, hunting, boating and OHV trails 
• Ghost town exploration 
• Walker Lake and Topaz Lake 
• Lake Tahoe (1 hour away) 
• Yosemite National Park (via Tioga pass, 2 hours away)