Biological Resources Technician

Biological Resources Technician

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management is seeking two (2) Biological Resource Technicians to contribute to natural resources management and conservation projects alongside the BLM staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: September 8 2026

Estimated End Date: July 13 2027

Location Details/Description: Ridgecrest CA

The BLM Ridgecrest Field Office has stewardship responsibility for public lands from the eastern edge of the White Mountains outside of Big Pine CA to the eastern Scodie Mountains outside of California City CA. The Field Office oversees roughly 1.8 million acres of Public Land with the highest and lowest points within the continental U.S. a short drive from the office.

For more information about Ridgecrest CA please visit the BLM Ridgecrest Field Office website.

Position Overview: This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic professionals with a background in Natural Resource Management Biology Botany Recreation or a closely related field with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in the public sector outdoor recreation profession. The ACE members will maintain close interaction with the BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner and Natural Resource Staff to monitor sensitive species and their habitat within and adjacent to Off-Highway Vehicle recreation areas. This position monitors species and habitats outlined in a Habitat Management Plan and requires both a large amount of fieldwork and organizing the data collected in the field. Fieldwork consists of driving throughout the Field Office on a variety of 4WD routes hiking to sensitive plant populations and sensitive species habitats using a tablet for data collection and identifying sensitive plant species. There will also be opportunities to work with the restoration crews coordinate volunteer events and give educational talks to Off-Highway Vehicle recreationists.

Most of the work performed by the members will consist of:

• Monitoring sensitive species and habitats
• Collecting data on the survival of species used in restoration
• Monitoring the effectiveness of restoration
• Maintaining a GIS database
• Organizing outreach events and training for restoration crews
• Assisting with other resource-related projects as assigned.

In addition the members will complete inventories prioritize and coordinate work with staff and initiate NEPA as needed. Members will be responsible for coordinating and completing projects on the ground. The emphasis would be placed on preserving and enhancing recreational opportunities by curbing problems before they become unmanageable and subject possibly to new restrictions and closures.

The ACE members will be mentored by BLM staff. The ACE members will coordinate work regularly with the Outdoor Recreation Planner but the monitoring work will be carried out independently with little supervision. The member will work mostly from specific instructions with work reviewed for accuracy and completeness upon completion of assignments.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm. The standard schedule is 40 hours per week and will require some weekend work to do visitor outreach during the busy season. The primary holiday weekends worked will be Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving and Presidents Day weekend. Additional non-holiday weekends may also be required to do outreach and volunteer events.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $875.00/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM and ACE and is not flexible.

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $225 per week. The ACE Member will be reimbursed only for approved and documented housing expenses.

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $150 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots field equipment and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Training Assistance: ACE members will have up to $350 for training personal development-related expenses.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (16 weeks) the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (16 weeks) the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional positive and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone and be a positive contributing member of a group.
• A valid drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks

• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability and willingness to hike long distances and work alone/in a small group with minimal supervision.
• Ability and willingness to perform plant identification (fieldwork may require the collection of threatened and endangered plant species).
• Ability and willingness to safely operate a 4X4 vehicle in rugged terrain.

• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets beginning-of-term feedback forms end-of-term evaluations and for longer terms a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit the American Conservation Experience website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree in Natural Resource Management Recreation Management or related disciplines appropriate to the position and/or have relevant experience in those subject areas.
• Knowledge of general computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Previous GIS experience including but not limited to data collection in the field using mobile GIS applications and data analysis and stewardship at a desktop computer using GIS software.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome.
• Deep interest in backcountry/remote hiking.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting standing walking hiking carrying using hands to handle or feel reaching with hands and arms talking and hearing. Manual dexterity is required for the use of various tools. Required to stoop kneel climb stairs and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close distance peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Work is performed in an outdoor environment that ranges from very cold and wet to very hot and dry. This work may require physical exertion over very steep wet muddy slippery rough uneven or rocky surfaces; and may include bending crouching stooping stretching reaching and similar activities.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold rocky terrain swamp or wetland conditions biting insects and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety:If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties one will be provided by the B.L.M or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the B.L.M. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) typically provided by the B.L.M. will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to B.L.M. and ACE equipment training certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACEs online application page for this position on our website.. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager Yunielis Clemente Ortiz at

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability qualifications attitude and job-related factors. Every qualified employee member or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment hire training transfer promotion compensation demotion termination benefits employee activities and general treatment without regard to race color religion age sex creed national origin pregnancy ancestry citizenship status genetic information veteran or military status physical or mental disability sexual orientation medical condition marital or parental status political affiliation ethnicity hair texture or style arrest record caste hereditary status endogamy or any other classification protected by applicable local state or federal law.

Required Experience:

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