The NPS Northeast Temperate Inventory and Monitoring Network and Acadia National Park are recruiting for one or two seasonal physical science technicians. The position may be filled at the GS-5, GS-6, or GS-7 level. We anticipate an early May start date for this position.
Major duties: Water resources work will include taking field measurements of water quality parameters such as pH, conductivity, temperature, clarity, dissolved oxygen, and water quantity (lake water level, stream discharge) in park lakes and streams; collecting water samples from lakes and streams for chemical and bacteriological analysis at contract labs, and collecting samples of benthic stream macroinvertebrates. Air resources work includes operational checks, maintenance, and calibration of visibility, particulate, deposition, and climatological sampling equipment. The position also involves calibrating and maintaining equipment in field and lab sites, conducting simple laboratory analyses, entering information into electronic databases and spreadsheets, compiling and analyzing information for use in interim and annual reports. The incumbent may occasionally collaborate or communicate with other state, federal and private cooperators or researchers working with the park on monitoring programs or research investigations with air, water, wildlife, vegetation, and other resource programs. This position requires use of a variety of vehicles, equipment, and watercraft to conduct these activities. This position is shared between the NPS Inventory and Monitoring program and the Resource Management team at Acadia national Park, working primarily in the water and air resources program. The incumbent may occasionally be asked to assist one of the other disciplines within the division of Resource Management, and will work either independently or alongside other NPS staff. Physical demands: The incumbent will regularly need to conduct activities outside, which will often entail standing, bending, lifting and carrying heavy objects, and hiking over rough or sandy terrain, steep slopes, or within chest deep water. Field protocols may require some sampling in areas of heavy poison ivy and high densities of biting insects; during hot, humid, wet and/or windy weather, and/or winter conditions. Other work must be conducted from a canoe or small watercraft; portaging the canoe and other field gear will also be required. Approximately 15% of the incumbents time will be performed in an indoor setting (office and wet chemistry laboratory). Area information: The position is located in Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, ME. Weather is typical of the coastal maritime region, with daytime temperatures ranging from the 40s in the spring to the low 80s in the summer months and into the early fall. Work occurs from sea level to 1,530 feet. Park headquarters is located about four miles outside of Bar Harbor, Maine. Essential amenities (groceries, churches, clothing, schools, and medical services) can be found in the neighboring communities of Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and Ellsworth. To apply, please use the following links between February 13 and February 19. If you qualify for multiple grades, you will have to apply separately for each grade. GS-05-https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/337505500 GS-06-https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/337636100 GS-07-https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/337669700 Questions about this position can be directed to Brian Mitchell, brian_mitch...@nps.gov. Thanks! Brian -- Brian Mitchell Inventory and Monitoring Program Manager Northeast Temperate Network National Park Service 54 Elm Street Woodstock, VT 05091 802-457-3368 x37 802-457-3405 (fax) http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/netn/
