Summer Field Assistants Needed for Forest Ecology Research in the Pacific Northwest
The Wenatchee Forestry Sciences Laboratory (U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station) is seeking applicants to fill up to four temporary Forestry Technician positions (GS-0462-05/06/07) to support our forest ecology research in Washington and Oregon. Most of the work will be outdoors, and applicants must be willing and able to travel to and work in remote field locations for several days at a time. Some laboratory work may also be required. Primary research topics: 1) Decomposition rates of trees killed by wildfires. 2) Effectiveness of post-fire emergency stabilization treatments. 3) Sensitivity of Pacific Northwest conifers to climatic variability and change. 4) Effects of dry forest restoration treatments on vegetation and fuels. Duties may include: 1) Traveling to remote field sites, including hiking and camping. 2) Locating and establishing study plots. 3) Measuring forest stand structure; record attributes of trees, snags, and logs. 4) Surveying understory plant communities; identifying plant species and estimating cover. 5) Extracting and mounting increment cores; counting or measuring tree-rings. 6) Entering field data into electronic spreadsheets or databases. 7) Maintaining and organizing field equipment. Duration of assignment: We anticipate the summer field season extending approximately from May 12 through September 27, 2008, though there may be opportunities to extend this period as research agendas and project funding levels are finalized. Applicants should expect continuous work during the field season. Typically, field crews work four consecutive 10-hour days with three days off each week. However, extended travel will periodically require crews to work eight consecutive 10-hour days followed by six days off. Salaries and Qualifications: Forestry Technician positions will be filled at the GS-5 ($14.24/hr), GS-6 ($15.88/hr), and/or GS-7 ($17.64/hr) levels. To qualify for the GS-5 level, applicants must hold a bachelorâs degree in forestry or closely related field, or have at least one year of experience equivalent to that of a GS-4 Forestry Technician. For additional details about qualifications and compensation, see the official job announcement (see below). Application Process: For additional information and to apply for these positions, visit the Avue Digital Services website (http://www.avuecentral.com/). To find the blanket announcements for these positions, click on the âJob Searchâ link on the menu on the left side of the page and enter ONE of the vacancy announcement numbers listed below in the âAnnouncement Numberâ box. Scroll down and click on the âSearchâ link. GS-5: DE-OCR-0462-5-RES GS-6: DE-OCR-0462-6-RES GS-7: DE-OCR-0462-7-RES Click on the job title link, âForestry Technician (Research),â to display the full position announcement. Use the menu items on the left to display information about qualifications, benefits, and how to apply. To apply, you must create a profile in Avue and complete your application on-line. Be sure to specify Wenatchee, Washington as one of your desired work locations when you apply so that your application can be routed to the Wenatchee Lab. IMPORTANT NOTE: To be eligible for these positions, you must specify Wenatchee, Washington as one of your desired work locations. Otherwise, we will not receive your application! Deadlines: We will begin screening applications shortly after February 15, 2008. To ensure full consideration, please make sure your application is complete no later than 5:00 pm PST on February 15, 2008. Additional lists of applicants will be generated, as needed, in mid-March and mid-April, but we hope to fill most positions from the first list. Contact Information: For information about the application and selection process, please see the USAJOBS site or contact a Human Resources assistant using the contact information below: ASC-HCM staffing Phone: 1-877-372-7248 Fax: 505-563-9991 TDD: 1-800-877-8339 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions regarding the research projects, work schedule, or duties may be directed to: Dr. Dave W. Peterson Research Forester, USDA Forest Service Forestry Sciences Laboratory 1133 N. Western Avenue Wenatchee, WA 98801 Phone: 509-664-1727 FAX: 509-665-8362 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
