Ecological Monitoring Technician; Reno, NV

Position Type:
Temporary Position

Application Review Begins:
Thursday, January 22, 2026

Final date to receive applications:
Sunday, February 08, 2026

Department/Division:
Bureau of Land Management

Field (e.g., systematics):
Vegetation Research and Monitoring

The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and service through the west. The Institute’s mission is to advance applied science and ecological literacy through community engagement and agency partnerships, supporting national parks, forest, open spaces and public lands.

GBI’s Ecological Monitoring Program is dedicated to providing college graduates and emerging professionals with hands‑on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience in natural resource management. Extensive training and technical field skills development provides employees a unique opportunity to obtain valuable experience in executing monitoring protocols that will increase their employment success.

This video () highlights the national BLM AIM strategy for landscape-scale data capture across western states.

GBI is recruiting Ecological Monitoring Soils and Vegetation Field Technicians to work with GBI and BLM staff. Each Field Tech will work with one other technician under the supervision of a Field Lead to characterize vegetation using the terrestrial AIM core methods. In some instances, Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF), and/or other supplemental protocols will be performed, for which training will be provided.

Aside from core AIM sampling, any supplemental protocols implemented will vary by location.

• California:
  • Season Length: Approximately 22 weeks, starting in early April
  • Eagle Lake, Applegate, Redding, and Arcata: Field Offices
  • 3-person soil and vegetation monitoring crews
• Crews will be based out of the Reno GBI Office but work in the following BLM Field Office (FO’s) areas:
  • California (see above)

Total approximate compensation: $4,332.40–$4,652.40/month before taxes, plus health insurance (monthly premiums fully paid by GBI) and paid time off.

• Wage: $19.50–$21.50/hour depending on experience
• Benefits:
  • $150.00 bi‑weekly housing stipend* (Pro-rated if less than 80 hours worked)
  • $35.00 per diem for every night camped in the field (up to 7 units in an 8‑day work week)
  • Health, Dental, Vision Insurance premiums are covered 100% by GBI
  • $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost
  • Paid federal holidays
  • Paid personal time off (amount dependent on contract length)
• * Housing stipend is untaxed and can be used at the discretion of the applicant. Housing is not provided. Applicants must be able to provide their own lodging.

• Experience, education, or a combination in botany, range management, and/or soils to meet one or both of the following:
  • — Bachelor’s degree in botany, biology, ecology, or rangeland ecology or other natural resources with coursework in plant or biological sciences or a minimum of 1 year of field data collection identifying plants;
  • — Bachelor’s degree in plant or soil science or similar with coursework in soils or a minimum of 1 year of field data collection describing soils. Any of the 4 certifications from the Soil Science Society of America may substitute for education or experience.
• Technical requirements:
  • Coursework or equivalent experience in plant taxonomy and/or systematics.
  • Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous key.
  • Experience in describing and identifying soil horizons (preferred).
  • Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols, photo plots, and site observations.
  • Experience with data entry and management.
  • Ability to read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps.
  • Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads.
  • Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand‑held GPS units.
  • Experience creating maps and performing basic functions with GIS software (Arc…