California Sustainability in Prisons - Mojave native plants leader

INVITATION FOR BID: California Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP) Lead

Invitation Number: SPPCA082021

Status: Part time position (approximately 20hrs/week through December 31, 2022

Closing date: August 15, 2021

About Us: The Institute for Applied Ecology is a dynamic nonprofit organization founded in 1999 whose mission is to conserve native species and habitats through restoration, research and education. We fill a unique niche among nonprofits and work with a diverse group of partners including federal, state and county agencies and municipalities to accomplish our mission. Our main office is in Corvallis, OR and our Southwest office is in Santa Fe, NM.

Contract Summary: The Contractor will support IAE’s Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP), a multi-state, multi-partner effort to improve habitat for wildlife and engage diverse incarcerated people in pro-social action, conservation science, and vocational training.

The contractor will lead the SPP’s Mojave Desert Native Seed Project at the California City Correctional Facility. This project indirectly improves habitat for the threatened desert tortoise by engaging incarcerated individuals in seed bulking of wildland seed collections from native plant species that the tortoise eats. Small quantities of wildland collected seed will be increased to seed quantities of several pounds, necessary for large-scale commercial seed increase, to ultimately obtain the quantities of seed needed to restore desert tortoise habitat. Incarcerated crew members will propagate several native plant species and harvest seeds to be used by the BLM for large-scale commercial seed increase. Ultimately, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be using the commercially increased seeds to restore desert tortoise habitat.

The Contractor must have their own vehicle and be able to travel to the prison. Mileage will be reimbursed at the current federal rate. The Contractor will need to be registered in the federal SAM (System for Awards Management) database and have a DUNS (Data Universal Number System) number before the contract start date.

Contract will start August 31st, 2021 or as soon as SAM and DUNS registration is complete. Contract will end December 31st, 2021 with a possibility of extension past this date.

Duties Include:

Coordinate with Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) for program planning at the prison

Participate in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) security and safety training as needed

Coordinate training of incarcerated crew members, provide relevant education materials, and act as intermediary between incarcerated crew members, CDCR, and IAE

Implement seeding and initial care of plants with incarcerated crew members

Work on-site with incarcerated crew members to review plant health, develop solutions to challenges, meet with partners and incarcerated crew members, and deliver lectures and on-site vocational training in the prison. Keep activity log for each facility up to date.

Monitor progress “on the ground” (sowing, daily care, thinning, fertilizing, preparation for seed collection and provide reports to IAE).Work with team to identify and problem solve program related issues

Track supply needs and submit order requests

Communicate with DOC program lead, IAE staff and/or regarding program status, technical difficulties, and any behavior issues

Monitor seed maturation, seed fill, and ripeness to determine appropriate times for seed harvest.

Collect seeds as they are ready with incarcerated crew members

Properly label produced seed with original SOS seed lot number and G1 tracking number, treat with No-Pest strips to remove any insects, and package seed securely for shipment to the USFS Bend Seed Extractory for cleaning, testing, and storage.

Independent Status: Contractor is and shall be an Independent Contractor. While performing the work or services provided, Contractor or Contractor's employees shall not be construed as being IAE employee(s) for any purpose, including but not limited to the accrual of any employee benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, retirement or vacation time. As an Independent Contractor, Contractor assumes full responsibility for making all necessary federal, state and social security tax payments and will file all returns and forms required in connection with compensation received in connection with this Agreement.

Preference will be given to those with:

Bachelor’s degree in biology, natural resources, forestry, horticulture or a related field.

Current US driver’s license.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) training and clearance.

Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check and ongoing compliance with Federal, State and Local statutes (required for working in prisons).

Horticulture or agriculture experience, especially with Mojave Desert native plant propagation and seed harvest.

Wildland native seed collection experience, particularly with Mojave Desert native plants and using the BLM SOS seed collection protocol.

Leadership or management experience

Positive willingness to work with incarcerated individuals at minimum and medium security facilities.

Positive willingness to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

Experience with data collection.

Ability to lift up to 30 lbs and work in outdoor conditions while standing or stooping.

HOW TO APPLY

You must complete the online application form at: https://forms.gle/TWV3KQB19anzCHJT9

In addition, you need to submit a resume as a single PDF document emailed to (See the email address on the google form) with the subject line “SPPCA082021 Application.”

Applications must be received by August 15, 2021. INCOMPLETE BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

If you have any questions, please contact: (See the email address on the google form)