Support Great Basin Institute in Serving Public Lands in the West
Support Great Basin Institute in Serving Public Lands in the West
Research Associates provide technical assistance, research, analysis and data to support the conservation and management of natural and cultural resources in the West.
The RA Program presents undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates and emerging professionals, with opportunities to enhance their careers in resource management, conservation, stewardship, and related fields. Additionally, GBI fosters a collaborative association between university academics and resource management agencies. University credit can be available to those interested in using field experience to support their academic goals. A Research Associate position can be the next best step for recent graduates to apply academics to practical resource management.
GBI Research Associates provide the technical support, data and expert analysis resource managers require in order to make informed management decisions. By partnering closely with resource professionals, RAs establish professional credentials while furthering their opportunities for public service.
The Research Associates program partners with federal, state, local land management agencies, and nonprofits to provide individuals with paid opportunities in various conservation related fields aimed at the enhancement of public lands. Participants may serve as an individual placement or as a member of a crew at an agency location. Some of our agreements are funded through the Public Land Corps Authority
and require participants to be aged 16 -30; up to 35 if a veteran. Positions are offered year round and may last for as short as 8 weeks to as long as a year. Project locations occur across the West. Those seeking an intellectually rigorous and challenging experience will not be disappointed. Whether you’re a current college student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, we may have the perfect opportunity for you!
The Research Associates Program connects individuals to rewarding conservation experiences on our nation’s public lands. Program offerings cover a variety of activities related to natural resource management, including wildlife monitoring, habitat restoration, vegetation surveying, GIS, environmental education, and more! The program also includes several robust projects under the BLM Direct Hiring Authority and Seeds of Success.
Seeds of Success – Seeds Of Success (SOS) is a national seed collection program implemented by various federal agencies to support native plant materials development. SOS wildland seed collections are used for research, germplasm preservation, and ecosystem restoration. GBI partners with multiple federal land management agencies and nonprofit organizations to support SOS efforts across the Western United States. Our placements follow national SOS protocols for scouting target species, seed collection, and post-collection processing and development.
BLM DHA: The BLM Direct Hire Authority program is an 11-week opportunity for current students and recent graduates to gain experience through the Bureau of Land Management in various fields related to public land management. Successful candidates will receive up to two years of special hiring authority that enables recent graduates to apply and be considered for permanent placement within the BLM.
The Great Basin Institute Research Associates Program offers valuable partnerships for collaborative environmental research. By joining forces with this program, individuals and organizations can contribute to impactful projects focused on conservation, ecological studies, and sustainable practices.
For partnership info and request please contact:
National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Services:
Deanna Stark, Associate Director – dstark@thegreatbasininstitute.org
Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and non federal organizations
Kelly Barrett, Program Director – kbarrett@thegreatbasininstitute.org
Our dedicated program staff can help guide you towards a partnership or serving with Great Basin Institute.
Learn about current and past projects of the Research Associate Program’s partnerships, including Wildlife Studies and Habitat Assessment; Ecological Restoration; Invasive Species Inventory and Management; Travel Management; Wilderness and Recreation Management; and Environmental Outreach and Education.
GBI’s RA program supports wildlife studies and habitat assessments such as assisting the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Clark County Desert Conservation Program (DCP), which monitor the health and trends of desert tortoises; the data help determine compliance with Clark County’s Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
Research Associates support sage-grouse conservation through habitat monitoring and assessments, as well as assisting NDOW with capture and telemetry operations.
Research Associates track and monitor endangered California condors, assist with wildlife refuge management and engage citizen volunteers to aid in condor recovery efforts.
Research Associates can serve as project managers for hard-working Nevada Conservation Corps crews by establishing the scope and logistics of projects, managing crews and monitoring work in order to gather data on the efficacy of the efforts.
If you need an expert who knows the difference between native and invasive thistles, you need a GBI Research Associate.
Research Associates support agency Travel Management Planning by creating mapping databases, complete with route inventories and evaluations, restoration needs and inventories of signs and their condition, to aid in long-term management of recreation and access.
Building trails is one thing; building them right is something else entirely. Research Associate Vince LaPlante aligns and designs trails in accordance with BLM and Forest Service standards, and ensures proper trail construction standards.
The institute is dedicated to providing environmental education and interpretative services for the public. Through academic and agency partnerships, GBI offers a wide array of educational delivery positions. Below are a few examples of past and present educational programs and field study opportunities.
Mojave Desert: curriculum-based field trips and in classroom programs for school students in the Clark County School District, especially schools with a high percentage of English Language Learners; interpretive hikes, short talks, campground programs, library programs, and outreach at special events and community events; and informal roving interpretation to the public.
Tahoe Rim Trail: coordinate and implement interpretive programs, including “Leave No Trace” and others related to the Tahoe Rim Trail and Lake Tahoe basin; present environmental education programs; prepare teacher’s guidebook for local schools; plan and publicize special events; and research and develop outreach materials related to the Tahoe Rim Trail and Lake Tahoe Basin.
For more information, take a moment to read through some of our most common questions. We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked queries to help you find answers quickly and easily. Whether you’re looking for clarification or need guidance, these answers can provide useful insights and save you time.
The Public Land Corps Authority is a federal initiative that provides youth with opportunities to engage in conservation efforts on public lands. It also serves as a non-competitive federal hiring authority for individuals who successfully complete service on eligible conservation projects. This program is funded specifically for the professional development of youth and young adults.
Many of the Research Associate’s program’s projects receive funding through the PLC Act, which will be indicated in the position announcements and is accompanied by certain guidelines.
To qualify for a PLC Project, participants must meet the following criteria:
Be between the ages of 16 and 30, or veterans up to age 35.
Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident.
Have received a high school diploma or equivalent, or agree to obtain one. Although this is not a prerequisite for entering a PLC-funded position with GBI, a GED or higher is necessary to receive and utilize the PLC certificate.
GBI offers a variety of positions through the Research Associate Program, collaborating with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, state agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations. Our cooperative agreements allow us to recruit and support project-based placements in roles focused on habitat restoration, communication and outreach, GIS, visitor services, wildlife management, graphic design, engineering, invasive species management, and more. Importantly, these positions are paid and not classified as internships.
Housing availability varies by position and will be specified in the job description. Please inquire to us directly if housing is a priority.
Please apply through our website. Include:
Absolutely! We encourage you to submit applications for any roles that appeal to you. However, it is essential to review the timelines for each position to ensure your availability. Additionally, please ensure that you complete your application in its entirety to be considered for advancement in the selection process.
After assessing resumes, we will invite qualified candidates for an interview. Generally, most positions only require one interview. Before finalizing an offer, we will contact references. For many of our federally funded roles, a background check will be necessary, which may take anywhere from two weeks to three months if complications arise.
Many of our projects are federally funded which requires participants to be US Citizens. However, there are some projects where international students may be eligible to apply. GBI does not provide Visa sponsorship for international participants and interested parties would be required to meet federal I9 requirements.
GBI can significantly advance your career in conservation by providing invaluable hands-on experience in your field. Our frequent collaborations with federal agencies open up various hiring opportunities and insights into federal positions.
Some of these positions even offer special certificates for hiring authorities, which can enhance your qualifications for federal roles. Additionally, working alongside these agencies allows you to tackle real-world challenges in the industry while expanding your professional network across different departments.
GBI offers a range of benefits depending on the length of your term. These can include health, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums. Additionally, you’ll enjoy paid leave off, access to ProDeals, and enrollment in our Employee Assistance Program, which provides support for personal and professional challenges.
The availability of special hiring authority certificates depends on the term and the funding source for each position. If offered, eligibility will be indicated in the position description. Receipt of a hiring authority certificate does not guarantee employment.
**Public Land Corps Authority (PLC):** The Public Land Corps Authority is a federal hiring authority that provides youth with non compete status when applying to federal jobs. It also serves as a non-competitive federal hiring authority for individuals who successfully complete service on eligible conservation projects. This program is funded specifically for the professional development of youth and young adults.
To qualify for a PLC Certificate, participants must meet the following criteria:
**Direct-Hire Authority (DHA)**
The Research Associate Program often partners with the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation to recruit current college students and recent college graduates for Direct Hire Authority (DHA) internships. While the appointment length and minimum hour requirement varies by federal agency, DHA internships are competitive and rigorous project-based internships that set the foundation for finding a full-time position directly with a government agency.
After completing a DHA internship, interns work with their agency partners to complete the necessary paperwork to obtain the DHA-RAI Certificate of Completion, granting DHA Non-Competitive Eligibility. This hiring status allows federal agencies to quickly hire a qualified applicant as it eliminates competitive rating and ranking procedures, veterans’ preference requirements, and public notice and clearance requirements. DHA Non-Competitive Eligibility is valid for two years after an intern’s graduation from an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree program.
AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
Eligibility and Benefits
AmeriCorps is open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents aged 17 or older. Members serve full or part time over a 3- to 12-month period. After successfully completing a term of service, AmeriCorps members who are enrolled in the National Service Trust are eligible to receive an education award. The education award can be used to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education or training, or to repay qualified student loans. A member has up to seven years after his or her term of service has ended to claim the award.
