Summer forest ecology field positions with Forest Service in Washington State

Subject: Job Posting: Summer forest ecology field positions with USDA Forest Service in Washington State, USA

The following positions are currently open on USAJOBS through Monday, January 9, 2017.

USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Wenatchee, WA

POSITIONS:  Biological Science Technicians (Plants), GS-0404-03/05/07

Forestry Technician (Research), GS-0462-05

SALARY:         $12.53 to $19.49 per hour

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT:  Temporary 180 day appointment

STARTING DATE(S):  May 1, May 15, or June 12, 2017, as negotiated

ENDING DATE: September 30, 2017 (or earlier, as negotiated)

NUMBER OF POSITIONS:  6-8

TOUR OF DUTY:  Full Time.

HOUSING: Not provided.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. citizens

LOCATION: PNW Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, Wenatchee, WA

DUTIES: Biological Science Technicians and Forestry Technicians collect field data for research projects related to forest ecology, fire ecology, and climate change in the interior Pacific Northwest. Research topics include the effects of forest restoration treatments on fuels, understory vegetation, and wildfire severity; the effectiveness and ecological impacts of post-fire forest management practices; and tree growth responses to past climatic variability and change. Field data collection duties include identifying plants to species, estimating plant cover, measuring tree diameters, measuring surface fuels and coarse woody debris, collecting and processing increment cores from trees, accurately recording data, driving on narrow and rough roads, and entering field data into a database or spreadsheet.

Field work will take place in north-central Washington State, near Wenatchee, Washington.  Technicians typically work in teams of 3-4 in the field.  Field work involves strenuous exercise, exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions, and may require extended trips (up to 8 days) to collect data from remote locations. Some camping may be required. Candidates will be chosen based on their experience and education.  Preferred candidates for GS-7 positions will have demonstrated proficiency in field botany, GIS analysis, statistical analysis, or multivariate analysis of plant community data.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  The work involves long hours spent standing, bending, and walking, often over rough terrain requiring physical exertion. Technicians may be required to lift containers weighing up to 35 pounds while performing the assignment. The typical field work schedule consists of four 10-hour days per week.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must apply through USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov) under the following job announcement numbers.

17-TEMP-PNW-0404-3BAID-DT

17-TEMP-PNW-0404-5PLN-DT

17-TEMP-PNW-0462-5RES-DT

17-TEMP-PNW-0404-7PLNT-DT

QUESTIONS: Questions may be directed to Dave Peterson (davepeterson@fs.fed.us509-664-1727)

The deadline for receipt of complete applications is Monday, January 9, 2017.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Dave W Peterson, PhD

Research Forester

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest Research Station, TCM Program

davepeterson@fs.fed.us<mailto:davepeterson@fs.fed.us>