Wildlife Service Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), is recruiting a Biological Technician Research Associate (RA) to support invasive species management, habitat restoration, and natural resource conservation efforts at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. The RA will assist refuge staff with implementing invasive plant management projects, native habitat restoration, biological monitoring, volunteer stewardship activities, and environmental outreach. Responsibilities include collecting and managing field data, utilizing GPS and GIS technologies, assisting with project planning and implementation, maintaining restoration sites and native plant materials, and supporting a variety of biological and operational programs across the Refuge.

The Research Associate will work closely with refuge staff, volunteers, partner organizations, and stakeholders to accomplish conservation objectives while helping coordinate stewardship projects and community engagement efforts. Daily and weekly work schedules will vary to accommodate project needs, and occasional weekend work may be required. Work will take place both indoors and outdoors in a wide range of environmental conditions, including extreme heat, cold, wind, and rugged terrain. The selected candidate must be comfortable working in remote field locations, hiking long distances over uneven, off-trail terrain while carrying field equipment, and camping in the backcountry for multiple consecutive days to accomplish work in remote areas of the Refuge.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct invasive plant monitoring, inventory, and integrated management throughout the refuge using manual, mechanical, and chemical control methods.
• Collect, manage, and analyze field data related to invasive plant distribution, treatment activities, and treatment effectiveness to inform adaptive management strategies.
• Track project activities and accomplishments, preparing summary reports that document completed work, management outcomes, and recommendations for future invasive species control efforts.
• Utilize handheld GPS units, GIS software, and other field technologies to collect spatial data, create maps, and support invasive species management planning and decision-making.
• Develop invasive species identification guides, educational materials, and outreach resources for refuge staff, volunteers, partners, and the public.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead invasive species monitoring and treatment events involving volunteers, stewardship groups, partner organizations, and community members.
• Provide field supervision, training, and technical guidance to volunteers, stewardship groups, and Regional Invasive Species Strike Teams to ensure safe, effective, and consistent implementation of invasive species management activities.
• Develop promotional materials, including flyers, educational displays, presentations, and social media content, to support invasive species awareness, public education, and volunteer recruitment.
• Assist refuge staff with biological monitoring, habitat management projects, visitor services, and light maintenance duties as operational needs and individual skills allow.
• Collaborate closely with refuge staff, partner agencies, stakeholders, and volunteers to support refuge operations and accomplish conservation objectives.
• Camp in remote backcountry locations for multiple consecutive days to conduct fieldwork and accomplish projects in areas with limited access.
• Propagate, care for, and maintain native outplants in greenhouse and nursery settings to support habitat restoration efforts.
• Install native plants and seeds at restoration sites, following established restoration plans and best management practices.
• Monitor the survival, health, and growth of native outplants and restoration plantings, documenting performance and recommending adaptive management actions as needed.
• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair irrigation systems supporting native plant production and restoration sites.
• Develop and implement appropriate irrigation schedules and fertilizer prescriptions based on plant species requirements, seasonal conditions, and restoration objectives to promote healthy plant establishment and growth.
• Organize, coordinate, and lead volunteer workdays focused on native planting, invasive species treatment, habitat restoration, and other stewardship activities, providing training, supervision, and ensuring the safe and effective completion of project objectives while strengthening relationships with volunteer groups, partner organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Timeline:

• September 2026 – September 2027, 52 weeks.
• Full time (40 hours/week).
• Schedule: Flexible, weekend work required.

Location:

Las Vegas, Nevada

The duty station is at the Corn Creek office building for Desert NWR, just Northwest of Las Vegas. DNWR is the largest National Wildlife Refuge outside of Alaska and was designated in 1936 to provide habitat and protection for desert bighorn sheep. The Refuge encompasses six major mountain ranges and boasts over 500 plant species as it transitions from the Mojave to the Great Basin Desert. Corn Creek is a spring-fed riparian area amid the arid desert that is important to migratory and resident birds as well as countless other wildlife. It is also the location of the refuge visitor center and offices. The Desert Refuge Complex also includes Ash Meadows, Pahranagat, and Moapa NWRs, showcasing the abundance and variety of nature found in Southern Nevada. In addition to the scenic desert beauty at the Refuge, there are several other recreation opportunities to explore close by. Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and more are within a few hours driving distance and afford a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking rock climbing, fishing, boating, and skiing/snowboarding.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $19.94 to $24.70 /hour, depending on experience.

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Competitive PTO accrual and paid holidays;
• Eligible for 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match;
• Access to Pro Deals;
• PLC eligible, but not required. See below for details.

Housing: Shared bunkhouse housing is available for rent.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, or a related field, and corresponding field experience.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and implement multiple field projects simultaneously.
• Experience with invasive species management, habitat restoration, native plant propagation, or related natural resource management activities.
• Ability to develop project plans and schedules, keep multiple project components on track, and maintain accurate, detailed records.
• Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing biological or ecological field data.
• Detail-oriented and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility to manage competing priorities and adapt to changing project needs.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in harsh, remote, and rapidly changing environmental conditions.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GIS software, and other applications used for communication, project management, and data management.
• Experience using handheld GPS units, mobile mapping applications, and other field technologies.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse audiences, including staff, volunteers, partners, and the public.
• Comfortable with flexible daily and weekly work schedules to accommodate refuge and project needs, including occasional weekend work.
• Ability to work independently for long days in remote field locations and willingness to camp in the backcountry for multiple consecutive days as project needs require.
• Ability to work productively and collaboratively as part of a team to accomplish shared conservation goals.

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 employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires extensive outdoor fieldwork in remote desert environments and involves a high level of physical activity. The successful candidate must be able to hike long distances over uneven, rocky, and off-trail terrain while carrying field equipment weighing up to 30 pounds. Duties regularly require frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, digging, planting, and performing repetitive manual tasks associated with invasive species management, habitat restoration, and greenhouse operations. Work is performed in a variety of environmental conditions, including prolonged exposure to extreme heat, cold, wind, dust, and sun, and may require camping in remote backcountry locations for multiple consecutive days. The position also requires the ability to safely operate government vehicles, hand tools, herbicide application equipment, GPS units, and other field equipment while working around wildlife, thorny vegetation, and other natural hazards. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

How to Apply:

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:

This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.

Notes:

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer:

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