Job Title: Biological Science Technician (Botany), GG-404-5 Job Number: CRG-07-046 Location: Corvallis, OR Salary: $13.83/hour Type of Appointment: 180 day Length of Appointment: 6-9 months, contingent on budget. Not to exceed 9/30/07, but extension possible. Announcement closes: February 9, 2007 Start Date: April 2, 2007
DUTIES (specific): The USGS in Corvallis, OR is seeking to hire 6 Biological Science Technicians. The technicians will work on a Joint Fire Science funded project to investigate the ecological impacts of fuel reduction treatments in the intermountain sagebrush steppe. To find out more about the project go to (www.sagesteppe.org). Technician may also work on several USGS-BRD projects identifying strategies to control the dominance of cheatgrass and other weeds on Great Basin rangelands, restoring native species, and increasing biodiversity. Duties include identifying plants to species, performing various vegetation sampling techniques, soil sampling, monitoring native grass, forb, and shrub germination, accurately recording data, driving on poor and sometimes muddy roads, collection of GPS and photo points, and processing plant and soil samples in the laboratory. Field work will take place in Eastern Oregon (Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge), Eastern Washington, and SW Idaho. Lab work will be done in Corvallis, Oregon. Technicians will be part a four person team with two teams working in the field together. Field work will involve exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions, and extended stays (up to 10 days) in remote locations (backcountry camping). Candidates will be chosen based on their combination of experience and education. Preferred candidates will have experience in plant identification, especially within the Great Basin. Travel expenses will be covered by the projects using either standard federal per diem or a camp rate per diem. THESE ARE TEMPORARILY EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITIONS for which all qualified applicants, with or without Federal status may apply and be considered. Appointment to these positions, however, will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. Appointment will only be for the duration of the position, normally 6-9 months. The Social Security Retirement System covers temporary employees and annual and sick leave will be accrued except in intermittent status. Employees are ineligible for health and life insurance coverage. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The work involves long hours spent standing, bending, walking, and a great amount of physical exertion. The incumbent may be required to lift containers weighing up to 35 pounds in the performance of the assignment. Work could possibly be done in 10 -12 hours per day; hours can include all times of day and night, and will vary during the employment term with weather and field conditions. Core hours will typically be 8am 5pm. QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for a GG-5 you need 1 year and 9 months of field experience OR 3 years of subprofessional work experience OR 3 years of college with courses related to the work of the position to be filled (equivalent to 90 semester/135 quarter hrs) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience. Subprofessional experience consists of working as a technician or aid in the field or in a laboratory or similar environment. EQUIVALENT COMBINATIONS OF SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE ARE QUALIFYING. BASIS OF EVALUATION: All applicants will be evaluated on the basis of education and experience (including unpaid or volunteer experience). Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. First preference in referral will be given to eligible applicants entitled to 10 point veterans preference who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. All other qualified applicants entitled to veterans preference will be given preference over qualified applicants not entitled to veterans preference. ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE UNITED STATES CITIZENS: Under regulations contained in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment in this position is limited to those persons who are authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of appointment. HOW TO APPLY: Carefully read all information and instructions. It is the responsibility of the applicant to insure the application is complete. The personnel office will not be responsible for soliciting additional information from applicants or from official personnel records, but will consider individuals based on their applications as submitted. Applications must be received in the FRESC, Corvallis Research Group Office by the closing date on the announcement in order to be considered. To obtain an OF 612, contact the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Discipline, Corvallis Research Group (541) 758-8781, or any Federal Personnel Office. Submit one of the following forms of application: (a) résumé OR (b) OF- 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, OR (c) other written format. Electronic submissions acceptable. Make sure the start and end dates (MM/DD/YY) of all jobs are included, plus the number of hours worked per week. Please also submit transcripts (unofficial acceptable) to document all education used for position qualification. To claim 5 point Veterans Preference, a DD-214 showing character of discharge is required. If claiming 10 point Veterans Preference, an SF-15 with proof of claim is required. SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO: Scott Shaff USGS-FRESC 3200 SW Jefferson Way Corvallis, OR 97331 Phone: (541) 758-8802 Fax: (541) 758-8806 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE APPLICATION FORMS MAY RESULT IN YOUR MISSING CONSIDERATION FOR THIS VACANCY The U.S. Geological Survey is an Equal Opportunity Employer This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disability. For questions regarding this job, please contact Scott Shaff (541) 758- 8802 ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Scott E. Shaff Ecologist USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 3200 SW Jefferson Way Corvallis, OR 97331 Phone: 541-758-8802 Fax: 541-758-8806 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
