Restoration and Recreation Technician

Spend a season or more working and camping outside at some of Nevada’s premier natural areas. Serve alongside AmeriCorps volunteers from across the country while making a lasting contribution to Nevada’s natural resources and heritage. Gain valuable field experience while working on habitat improvement, restoration, and recreation projects with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and many other federal and state agencies. Learn firsthand from federal employees and specialists about natural resource and conservation careers.  

Essential Duties:

• Building and maintaining trails, restoring and improving wildlife habitat, and reducing hazardous fuels in our forests and public lands, which includes herbicide/pesticide, chainsaw, power tool and hand tool usage.  
• Camping up to seven nights in wilderness setting without formal restroom facilities or running water;
• Making a commitment of national service to our landscapes and communities;
• Maintaining a positive and professional attitude at all times while providing service;
• Communicating effectively with crew members, crew leaders, NCC staff and agency project staff;
• Complying with both production and quality work standards established by NCC Administration, crew supervisors and project partners;
• Contributing to basic duties at the campsite including cooking, cleaning and organizing crew equipment;
• Showing respect when interacting with other members, leaders, staff, project sponsors and community members;
• Participating in in-field education sessions;
• Percentage of time spent on: labor– 70%, traveling– 20%, hiking– 10%;
• Lifting 25lbs continuously and 50lbs occasionally.

Make sure to check the Nevada Conservation Corps overview page here.

Season Timeline:

Spring Season

Las Vegas, NV Field Station

Start: 2/10/2025

End: 5/9/2025

Summer Season

Reno, NV Field Station 

Start: 5/19/2025

End: 8/15/2025

Several Options Available depending on lengths of service-term, Season Location, as well as opportunities for multi-season service terms.

Location:

This position is based out of Great Basin Institute's Reno and Las Vegas NV field stations. Crews will travel throughout the region to complete projects from their assigned field station.

Compensation and Benefits:

This is an AmeriCorps position; candidates will receive a living allowance dependent on their length of service. The living allowance is a fixed amount, not an hourly wage or a salary.

•Living Allowance: $676.92/week before taxes

•Per Diem: $15/day spent in the field. This is in addition to your Living Allowance and on average is $120.00 biweekly. Crews typically combine per diem funds and shop/prepare meals as a team

•TOTAL BIWEEKLY ALLOWANCE: $1,473.84 (pre-tax)

Housing stipend or Shared Housing Option:

This position offers a $100 weekly housing stipend. Alternatively, shared housing is available as an option in place of the housing stipend. Candidates can choose the option that best meets their needs at the time of hire. Housing will be sourced locally in the field station city (i.e. Reno or Las Vegas).

Optional Training & Education we will provide include:

• Defensive Driving Certification

• Off-Road Driving Class

• Native Plant Identification

• Invasive Plant Identification

• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Segal Education Award:

After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service members 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 qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Insurance:

Health, Dental, Vision insurance, and $25,000 Life/AD&D policy paid 100% by GBI. Eligible to enroll first day of month following first day of service

Position Qualifications:

• Must maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times while providing service.
• Be able to communicate effectively with members, crew leaders, NCC staff, and project partners.
• Possess the willingness and ability to work and camp up to seven nights in a row, in a wilderness setting, in all weather conditions, without formal restroom facilities or running water.
• Be able to lift 25lbs continuously and 50lbs occasionally
• Be at least 17 years of age
• Be a US citizen
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of the equivalent of two full-time education awards).
• All position offers are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.

Are you following Great Basin Institute on social media? 

@gbinstitute @GreatBasinInstitute @GBInstutute

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. Ability to perform heavy physical labor. Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds on occasion and up to 50 to 75 pounds for field-related work. The noise level in the work environment is usually mid level.

The overall nature of the position is active in nature, requiring frequent physical effort and exertion. There is frequent exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes while in the field.

Nevada Conservation Corps (NCC), a Program of The Great Basin Institute: 

Established in 1999 as a federally-funded AmeriCorps program, NCC is a vital component of the Great Basin Institute's efforts in conservation. This 21st-century service corps harnesses the enthusiasm and dedication of youth and volunteers for resource management, focusing on land restoration and conservation internships. NCC offers extensive professional development opportunities for those seeking careers in conservation and land management. Celebrating diversity, the NCC assembles members and staff from varied backgrounds to effectively address the needs of Nevada's public lands and communities. It provides a platform for students and emerging professionals to make impactful contributions to the preservation of Nevada’s natural heritage, while also gaining invaluable experience in the field of natural resource management.

The Great Basin Institute (GBI): 

Founded in 1998 at the University of Nevada, the Great Basin Institute is a leading interdisciplinary field studies organization, fostering environmental research, education, and service throughout the West. GBI specializes in applied research to support science-based management of public lands and is fervently committed to the promotion of scientific understanding through its field studies, conservation efforts, and public outreach. GBI is home to numerous influential programs, including the Nevada Conservation Corps, International Conservation Volunteer Exchange, Research Associate Program, Cultural Resource Program, Basin & Range Forestry, NEPA Services, Ecological Monitoring Program, and oversees visitor centers at Taylor Creek, Galena Creek, and the Tallac Historic Site, thereby expanding its reach and impact in safeguarding the region's natural and cultural heritage.

Disclaimer: Although the Company has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, the Company reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the Company, at any time, with or without advance notice.