Essential Functions and Duties:
•    Assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and the Institute’s long-term strategy. Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operation information to the Director and make actionable recommendation on both strategy and operations.
•    Engage the Board and Directors and Program Directors around issues, trends, and changes in the operating model(s) and operational delivery.  Assist in establishing yearly objectives and meeting agendas, and selecting and engaging outside consultants (auditors, investment advisors, development professionals).
•    Oversee long-term budgetary planning and costs management in alignment with the Institute’s strategic plan for program development and operations.
•    Provide direct managerial oversight of Institute staff, volunteers, and partnerships
•    Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and grant reporting systems and those personnel who support those functions, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
•    Perform special assignments as requested by the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
•    Provide support to a staff of 22 and up to 250 volunteers and temporary employees statewide.

Qualifications:
•    A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Non-profit Management, Accounting, Finance or related field(s) from a 4-year accredited university;
•    1 year minimum related experience
•    Proficient on Excel, Word and QuickBooks
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills
•    Ability to work with all levels of staff
•    Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills
•    Proven leadership skills
•    Proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines

Compensation:
•    Rate of Pay: DOE
•    Paid Health/Dental benefits
•    401K

Location:
•    16750 Mt. Rose Hwy.; Reno, NV

Timeline:
•    Position Closes July 30, 2010
•    Full time, 40 hours per week

How to Apply:
Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Bridget Walden, Human Resources Coordinator at bwalden@thegreatbasininstitute.org.

* Applicants are subject to a complete background check

Compensation:
This is an AmeriCorps position, and candidates will receive a living stipend of $14,122 for the year. This is not an hourly wage or a salary and is paid to members bi-monthly throughout the entire year. Upon completion of AmeriCorps service, members shall receive an additional education award in the amount of $5,350 that can be used for paying off student loans, or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.

Timeline: August 16, 2010 – August 11, 2011

Conservation Projects:
Trail building and rehabilitation
Exotic species removal
Forest thinning
Habitat restoration
Riparian rehabilitation
Illegal road decommissioning

Qualifications:
To qualify, you must be at least 17 years of age and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED (or be willing to achieve this before using education award).

Duties:
Maintaining a positive and professional attitude at all times while providing service Communicating with 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

Work Schedule:
The locations of service will depend on where you start your term of service. Due to the seasonal nature of field work in Nevada you may be required to relocate more than once during the term. Three teams will begin in Northern Nevada based in Reno (NCC will seek out temporary options for housing including campground options). Near mid-October when the weather begins to change, these teams will relocate to Southern Nevada and will be based in Las Vegas for 6 months.

Two teams will start their terms in Las Vegas and remain there until the end of April. During the second half of the year crews will transition to northern Nevada and will be based in the Reno area and will perform services primarily in the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin Regions. The NCC will help during the transition time with housing recommendations. We will not provide housing and will not sign leases, but we can assist with identifying housing options.

Training:
Members will attend a 5-day orientation session where they will receive training in chainsaw use, trail building, leave-no-trace ethics, CPR/First Aid, and effective citizenship.

Locations:
Lake Tahoe
Great Basin National Park
Lake Mead
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Ely, Nevada

To Apply:
Step 1: Click here: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=36990
Step 2: Click “Apply” then register.
Step 3: Once registered login and complete the application.
Step 4: Click the “Search Listings” link and search for program name: Nevada Conservation Corps
Step 5: Click on the appropriate position title, then hit the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of the listing.

Please direct all questions regarding the application process to Bridget Walden at bwalden@thegreatbasininstitute.org.

These AmeriCorps positions are made possible by a generous grant from Nevada Volunteers. This program prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Galena Naturalists from the Great Basin Institute offer the summer day camp series as part of a partnership between the Great Basin Institute and Washoe County Regional Parks and Opens Space. Each camp is five days, taking place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Youth aged 8-12 are invited to participate in this groundbreaking summer day camp.The Great Basin Naturalists summer camp is aimed at making youth an active part of restoring local ecosystems through hands-on environmental activities and service-learning projects. Youth will be organized into “Trail Crews,” each supervised by experienced naturalists. Crews will take part in a range of projects and activities that have been designed to suit every child’s learning needs.

The Great Basin Naturalists Day Camp features ten themed weeks, ranging from Animal Adventure to Weather and Climate Studies. See more details about each week at Summer Sessions 2010. Along with these environmental education opportunities, we provide counselors who have been trained to coach campers in conflict resolution, team building, and personal responsibility.

Our Day Camp has flexible registration options. Sign your child up for just one week, or choose all ten weeks and get ready to hear about your young scientist’s adventure-filled summer. To register, download a Camp Application or call 775.674.5475 (ext. 5). We accept checks and credit cards (VISA, MC, and Discover).Camp sessions costs $195, with a $20 nonrefundable deposit due for each camp session selected at the time of registration. Applications are due on May 15th, with later applications being accepted depending on space availability each week.

To find out more, we invite you to attend one of our Discovery Days at Galena Creek Regional Park to meet our Camp Director, pick up an application, and try out some of the camp activities. Our upcoming Discovery Days include “Archeology and Rocks” on May 8th and “Water Ways” on May 22nd. Discovery Day events run from 10 am to 1:30 pm, with the camp activities in the morning. There will be a break for you to eat a bring-your-own picnic lunch, followed by a kid friendly hike at 12:45 that goes until 1:30. To sign up for a Discovery Day, Summer Camp or for more information, visit The Great Basin Institute’s website at call our camp staff at (775) 674-5475 (ext.5) or e-mail camp@thegreatbasininstitute.org

Find out more about camp on our website at Great Basin Naturalists Summmer Day Camp.

Still to come is an off campus field trip permit.

2010 Galena Creek Regional Park Summer Day Camp Schedule

June 21-June 25 Becoming a Naturalist
Campers will develop a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world while they learn what it means to study nature, use their observation skills, and become aware of the world around them.  This week includes trip to Spooner Lake for a service project with Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park. Service project and transporatation are supported by a grant from the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation.

June 28-July 2 Geology, Paleontology, and Archaeology
Reno rocks(!) during this week of science learning and exploration. Go on your own archaeological dig and visitsites of geological importance in Northern Nevada.  This session includes a trip to Virginia City to participate in Comstock-era archeological dig!

July 6-July 9 Weather and Climate Studies*
Learn where the wind comes from and how weather patterns are affected by human activities. Learn about extreme weather, make your own weather report, and become a junior meteorologist.  This week includes visit to KTVN-TV newsroom. *Note: This is a 4-day session.

July 12-July 16 Earth Warriors
Save the earth and have fun this summer at Galena Creek Regional Park! Students will become Earth activists while learning about recycling, water and energy conservation, and wild land habitat preservation. Explore the different habitats of Galena Creek and meet rangers, activists, and youth that are working together to save the planet.  This session includes trip to the state of the art Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility and a visit to Hidden Valley Highlands Park.
 
July 19-July 23 Arts and Theatre
Release your inner artist while playing theatre games, making nature art, and putting on a theatrical production at our Friday Galena Creek Community Campfire!  This week will involve the local non-profit, The Holland Project, and will include a trip to performance of The Tempest at the Lake Tahoe Shakespere Festival on July 21. Performance made possible through the D. G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program.

July 26-July 30 Forest Ecology
Learn about the forest and its creatures while trekking through the Mt. Rose Wilderness and the Humbolt-Toyaibe Forest. Meet forest animals and learn about how trees fight to survive in harsh climates. Visit different forest ecosystems and remote mountain top habitats, known as “islands in the sky”.  This session includes a trip to Sand Harbor for a defensible space service project with Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park.  Service project and transporatation are supported by a grant from the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation.

August 2-6 Wet and Wild– Water Ecology
Enjoy a week of water in the heat of summer! Campers will voyage to different water sources in the Reno/Tahoe area to learn about aquatic ecosystems and how to protect local water sources. This session includes a trip to the Tahoe Environmental Research Center and Sand Harbor for a service project with Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park. Service project and transporatation are supported by a grant from the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation.

August 9-13 Animal Adventures
Meet Nevada’s feathered, furred, and scaly friends! This week will focus on live animal demonstrations and discovering the animals that call Galena Creek Regional Park home. Go animal tracking, fishing, and ‘goop scooping’. In addition, campers will learn how to take action in the community to help protect the native animal species of Nevada. This session includes trip to the Animal Ark.

August 16-20 Voyager Earth–Ecosystems of the World
Explore the Four Corners of Galena Creek Regional and learn about the ecosystems of the world!
From fields to forests, and rivers to riparian zones, Northern Nevada is full of beautiful and diverse wild lands. Explore the Great Basin Ecosystem, trek through The Humbolt-Toyaibe Forest and discover the animals and plants that call these places home. This week includes an adventure up to an alpine ecosystem, the Tahoe Meadows, just below the Mt. Rose summit on state route 431.

August 23-27 Wilderness Survival and Outdoor Adventure
Learn how to survive in the wild at Galena Creek Regional Park! Campers will enjoy shelter building, hiking, orienteering, outdoor cooking, and even an overnight camping adventure. This session will include a supervised overnight front country camping program at Davis Creek Regional Park Thursday night through Friday. Pick up will occur at Galena Creek Regional Park on Friday.

Examples of Free Hands-on Events

Snowman Building Contest

Join Galena Naturalists a snowman building contest. Drop-in to Galena Creek Regional Park to help us build a community of snowmen, snow creatures, and snow forts. We will provide the snow and hot chocolate. Participants must bring other items they wish to use to decorate their snow creatures. Prizes will be given for the most creative snowmen. This is an all ages event. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Before There Were Video Games: Pioneer & Native Crafts Day

Join us for an afternoon of candle making, cider drinking, corn husk doll crafting, and much more. This workshop gives children the chance to step away from the video games and learn how to play fun games that existed before the electronic age. We’ll also work on crafts (candle making, corn husk dolls) that were hugely popular before the era of glitter and pipe cleaners. This event is for families with children ages 3 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Winter Family Bird Feeder Workshop

Learn about local bird ecology by joining us for a short bird walk. Then, return to build and decorate your own bird feeder to attract feathered friends to your yard. This event is for families with children ages 3 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Orienteering: Map & Compass Family Scavenger Hunt

Go on a scavenger hunt adventure in Galena Creek Regional Park! After an introduction to using the compass, map, and clues with a Galena Naturalist, each family will go off on their own to navigate the scavenger hunt course looking to gain knowledge about the area using the questions, compass, and map provided. Drop-in anytime, but plan for at least one hour to complete this adventure. This is an all ages event. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Examples of Prior Fee-based Workshops

Sweet Basketry with Cat Mena

No matter who your ancestors were, they made baskets. In this introductory workshop with local basketry artist, Cat Mena, you’ll discover the history of basket making and learn how to make a simple, “sweet style” basket using twining technique. A variety of different baskets, weaving techniques, and styles will be on display, along with extra materials and instructions. Learn more about Cat Mena at her website.

Pysanky Egg Decorating with Rebecca Rosenberg

Create your own uniquely decorated sophisticated Pysanky Egg, just in time for Easter! This workshop will be lead by Art Instructor, Rebecca Rosenberg. All materials will be provided. This hands-on activity is suitable for children 10 and older. Children need to be accompanied by an adult, but will be able to work independently to decorate their own egg. This will be a great activity for parents and children.

Berry Pickin’ Basketry with Cat Mena

If you happened to catch Cat Mena’s February “Sweet Baskets” workshop, you know she’s a pro. In this hands-on workshop, participants will make their own berry pickin’ basket, perfect for storing goodies left by the Easter Bunny, veggies from the Farmer’s Market and, of course, summer berries. This sturdy basket is constructed using three different weaving techniques—twining, three-rod wale, and randing. Participants will leave with a completed basket and will also receive written instructions for making another berry pickin’ basket. A large display of different baskets, weaving techniques, and styles will be on display, plus extra materials and instructions. Learn more about Cat Mena at her website.

Leave your flashlight in your pocket and join a Galena Naturalist for a stroll under the magnificent light of the full moon! Learn about your night time senses, the moon and its phases, and what animals do at night. Come prepared to see the park in a whole new light! These moonlight strolls are recommended for adults and children 10 and up. Please check our Galena Creek Nature Programs Calendar for specific dates & locations. Please RSVP by calling 775.674.5486 as group size is limited. These are free events. We welcome your donations. If skies are overcast or the weather is poor, please call 775.674.5486 to check for cancellations.

Dark Moon Astronomy

Join Galena Naturalists to explore the night sky at the darkest phase of the moon (new moon). Listen to the tales of the constellations as we view them. This is an all ages activity. Bring binoculars, crazy creek chair or a blanket to lay on, and warm clothes. Please note, this is not a hike, so be sure to dress fro nighttime and/or winter conditions. Please check our Galena Creek Nature Programs Calendar for specific dates & locations. Please RSVP by calling 775.674.5486. These are free events. We welcome your donations. If skies are overcast or the weather is poor, please call 775.674.5486 to check for cancellations.

Star Party!

Come view the night sky with Galena Naturalists and the Astronomical Society of Nevada the 3rd Friday of each month. Telescopes and viewing stations will be set up for two hours of free public viewing. This is an outdoor activity, so please dress for nighttime and/or winter conditions. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate, a camp chair, and lots of warm layers to enjoy the night sky with a community of astronomy enthusiasts! Flashlights are good to have for navigating the parking lot, but use them sparingly to maximize your night vision. If you have red tissue paper or red cellophane, you can tape this over the flashlight. Some flashlights also have a red light setting too. The use of the red light will help preserve your night vision. These events are appropriate for all ages. No registration is necessary.

However, start times will vary depending on the time of the year. Please check our Galena Creek Nature Programs Calendar for specific dates & start times. In case of cloudy skies or inclement weather, please call 775.674.5486 to check on the status of the event. A cancellation message will be posted on the answering machine by 4 pm on the day of the event.

He dug and pushed his arm further down, trying to reach the frozen ground of the lower Bristlecone Trail at Mount Charleston.

He never reached his destination.

“That shows how much accumulation we’ve gotten,” the U.S. Forest Service field naturalist said on a recent February afternoon.

Covey then shook off his snowy hand and pointed out fresh deer tracks nearby.

“They don’t have snowshoes so they sink right in,” he said. “They’re basically on stilts.”

Covey’s quips aren’t just observations, they’re a segment of interpretive snowshoe hikes offered by the U.S. Forest Service through a partnership with the Great Basin Institute.

A field naturalist outfits participants with modern snowshoes and leads them on a trip through the snow-covered forest.

The walks are provided free of charge and conducted on weekends all winter for individuals and groups of up to 30 people.

“Don’t be afraid,” Covey said gingerly of the hike. “You’re not out of shape — it’s just the air.”

At elevations of between 8,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level, Covey, 25, leads groups on hikes of varying lengths and skill levels. He weaves in information about how animals and nature adapt to winter’s chill.

Animal tracks — deer, horse, chipmunk, fox — are imprinted alongside boot indents and snowshoe tracks. Covey tried to identify each he passed.

In between one set of stops, Covey encountered a fellow snowshoe hiker coming down the trail.

The man, Hal Street, was finishing up a solo three-mile hike, and the Las Vegan told Covey he knows several of the trails of the Spring Mountains well. “This is my second home,” Street said. “I don’t think I could live in Vegas without it.”

He skis or snowshoes two or three times a week, often never encountering fellow snow adventurers.

“A lot of the time, I am the only one,” he said. “It’s a good feeling — you’re it.”

Covey has led two snowshoe hikes so far this winter — “I just love any reason to get out,” he said — with adults and children.

He challenges youngsters to foot races to see who can top a snowy hill faster in boots versus snowshoes. He shows how humans conduct body heat with jackets, like animals use fur.

He fields questions along the way and, no, there are no bears, he says.

“It’s the wildlife that people are most curious about, and that’s maybe because they aren’t aware of everything up here,” he said.

The snowshoe hikes are a workout, but Covey accommodates for the speed and skill level of the group, he said. He also totes around a radio, a first-aid kit and supplies for emergency situations. Hikes are canceled if inclement weather is in the forecast.

Participants should wear clothing that protects their heads, hands and feet from the elements.

“It’s pretty basic,” Covey said. “If they show up, we have the shoes.”

Walks and other programs are provided year-round by the U.S. Forest Service.

For more information about reservations, call the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Education Department visitors center at 872-5486.

- By Maggie Lillis, View Staff Writer for Centennial View

View the original article by clicking here.

Craig L. Moran/ViewRichard Covey, right, a U.S. Forest Service field naturalist, leads the way during a snowshoe tour on Mount Charleston, Feb. 3. Covey leads groups on hikes of varying lengths and skill levels.

Craig L. Moran/ViewU.S. Forest Service field naturalist Richard Covey displays casts of mountain lion footprints.

Craig L. Moran/ViewRichard Covey, right, stops to chat with snowshoe hiker Hal Street during a snowshoe tour.

Craig L. Moran/ViewU.S. Forest Service field naturalist Richard Covey holds up pinon nuts as he guides a snowshoe tour through the lower Bristlecone Trail at Mount Charleston, Feb. 3.

Full position description.

Summer 2009 REU Article.