Biological Technician Intern - Bureau of Reclamation- Glendale, AZ

Title: Biological Technician Intern – Bureau of Reclamation (1 opening)

Start/End Date: October 2, 2023 – May 31, 2024 (anticipated)*

Living Stipend: $520/week

Term: 35 weeks

Reports To: Thomas Bommarito (Bureau of Reclamation Wildlife Biologist)

Location: Phoenix Area Office (6150 West Thunderbird Road, Glendale AZ 85306)

Status: 1200-hour AmeriCorps Service Term, full-time, temporary

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,546.50; Public Lands Corps Certificate**; both with successful completion of the service term.

*A Department of Interior (DOI) background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report to duty.

**To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, or 35 if a military veteran, inclusive, at the time the member begins their term of service.

About Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC):

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff and Tucson. 

About the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR):

Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation is best known for the dams, powerplants, and canals it constructed in the 17 western states. The Lower Colorado Region (LCR) is one of five Bureau of Reclamation Regions working to implement Reclamation’s mission to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. The Region’s programs and projects cover over 202,000 square miles of the West with a focus on the lower 688 river miles of the Colorado River system from Lee’s Ferry in northern Arizona to the border with the Republic of Mexico.

Position Summary:

The purpose of this internship will be to monitor the 23,043-acre Green Up Area along the 336-mile Central Arizona Project canal that delivers Colorado River water from Lake Havasu to Phoenix and ends just south of Tucson. The Green-Up Area was set aside as mitigation for the loss of wildlife habitat from the construction of the canal and the establishment of a Right-of-Way for its operation and maintenance. Along the canal are a series of wildlife bridges and other structures placed to help minimize the isolation of wildlife populations while also allowing their natural movement. Areas of dense xeroriparian habitat have formed as a result of the aqueduct and supporting structures temporarily retaining water. Xeroriparian habitat is typically found in dry washes and occupies less than five percent of the Sonoran Desert, but support 90% of its bird life while also acting as high-quality habitat for many other species of wildlife.

The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Phoenix Area Office is providing an opportunity for a qualified individual to be brought on for 35 weeks to work closely with the BOR on its Green-Up Area project.

The purpose of this proposed project is the survey and assessment of the Green-Up Area, which will involve a number of duties such as data gathering, documentation of conditions and features, mapping, and other assignments to aid in the creation of a final report at the end of the internship, which will then be used to create a better understanding of natural resource conditions along the canal and what changes can be made to improve their management. The selected intern will be trained, shadowed, and mentored by a BOR wildlife biologist. They will receive exposure to staff that hold other natural resource management positions such as fish biologists, environmental protection specialists, cultural resource specialists, and GIS specialists.

 Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Evaluate bosques and xeroriparian habitat patches using a Trimble T-10 or iPad GPS enabled tablet. Take GPS points and photos of patches and other notable features.
• Evaluate and map fence lines that serve as the boundary for the Green-Up Area.
• Evaluate and inspect Wildlife Bridges, Game and Cattle Crossings and Concrete Overchutes, and culverts that aid in the movement of wildlife across the canal.
• Evaluate culverts for wildlife use which includes the presence of any obstructions such as riprap, gates, barbed wire or other materials.
• Identify and note other characteristics of interest such as high mortality, harvest, or cutting of a particular tree species.
• Document and identify wildlife tracks, scat and trails. Identify and individually GPS and photograph wildlife scat, wildlife tracks, and trails and describe their abundance or use within the patch or general area.
• Identify and map areas where cattle grazing is occurring, and the conditions found in these areas.
• Document location and assess condition of water catchments.
• Establish photo points to document vegetation and ecosystem change over time.
• Document findings in a final report due at the conclusion of the internship.

Qualifications:

• Education and/or a chosen career path in biology, zoology, or other natural resource-related discipline.
• Applicants should possess strong organizational skills, data collection skills, strategic thinking abilities, be flexible and resourceful, be able to work well with others in a professional setting and be self-motivated and able to work independently or as part of a team with limited supervision.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn.
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Upon employment, complete DOI’s Information Management and Technology (IMT) Awareness Training.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in extreme temperatures, remote working conditions, uneven terrain, hiking off-trail and along unmarked paths, as well as driving on primitive roads.
• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements:

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all agency/team activities.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. 
• Appropriately represent Arizona Conservation Corps and the Bureau of Reclamation to the public and partners at all times.

Safety and Judgment: 

• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. 
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time.
• Respond appropriately to stress or crisis.
• If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

Substance Free:

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

Background Check:

A Department of Interior (DOI) background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report to duty. The BOR will provide instructions for completing the clearance after an intern has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start the internship. This process will determine the internship’s exact start date.

To Apply:  

Please submit an your resume and cover letter along with the online application using the APPLY NOW link below. If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator, Preston Sands, at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit www.azcorps.org. Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.