Date Opened: 1/28/08 Date Closed: 2/15/08 U.S. Geological Survey; Announcement Number: WERC 74-08-01 Temporary Position: Biological Science Technician, GG-0404-05 Salary: $29,726 yearly, $14.24 hourly actual salary based on hours worked Type of Appt: Temporary, Not-to-Exceed 180 working days Work Schedule: Full Time-Maxi flex Field Station: USGS, Biological Resources Division, Las Vegas Field Station Duty Station: Henderson, Nevada
Research focuses on the processes underlying ecosystem recovery following disturbance, the effectiveness of active restoration of degraded upland desert habitats versus natural recovery, and the responses of desert wildlife to disturbance and restoration. Research integrates observational field studies, long-term monitoring at established sites, as well as designed field and greenhouse experiments to understand the processes driving ecosystem recovery from wildfire, invasion by alien annual grasses, restoration potential of sites at the landscape scale, and desert tortoise health and movement patterns associated with naturally recovering and rehabilitated post-fire habitat. We monitor the effectiveness of restoration treatments used in post-fire landscapes and investigate how fluctuating desert climate, granivores such as ants and small mammals, and competition with invasive grasses interact to shape recovery of Mojave Desert shrubland communities. We also examine the spatial movements, site fidelity, gender distribution and physiological stress responses of desert tortoises in burned Critical Habitat. Field work occurs on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service in southern Nevada, California and northwestern Arizona. Candidates must be flexible to work on all aspects of all projects for periods of time during employment. We are seeking interested candidates with diverse abilities to work between two focus areas: Arid Land Restoration and Desert Tortoise Ecology. Interested candidates must have the desire to work in a research team and willing to work under arduous desert conditions in the field AND in the laboratory/greenhouse. All incumbents will assist in conducting field studies and surveys to collect botanical data and/or specimens to support scientific studies. Incumbents will establish sampling sites, assist in data collection (soil sampling, seed bank sampling, vegetation inventory and monitoring, plant biomass estimation and species identification, preparation of herbarium specimens, desert tortoise tissue sampling, ultrasonographic and x-radiographic scans), data management, maintenance of field, laboratory and computer equipment, and occasional library research. Incumbents should be capable of attaching and removing radio transmitters as well as assist in daily tracking of desert tortoises via radio telemetry, collect and process blood samples, and collect measurements to support scientific studies. The incumbent will also assist in the lab analysis of hormone and blood parameter measurements from desert tortoises. The incumbent will collect and organize field and laboratory data, ensuring adequate quality control of data collected and assists in identifying erroneous data. The incumbent will also assist in the lab analysis of soil, plant and seed bank samples. The work involves large amounts of time outside under a variety of conditions including extreme heat, cold and wind and will require the incumbent to carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds when in the field, sometimes during adverse conditions. The use of global positioning systems (GPS units), computers, personal data assistant (PDAâs), digital cameras, on- and off-road vehicles are an essential part of the job. Only people willing to spend extended periods of several weeks per month camping under primitive conditions at remote locations on data collection trips throughout the entire spring, summer and fall should apply. Incumbents must be US citizens. Qualifications: 9 months specialized experience in a field survey party, or 3 years sub professional experience, or 3 years college study (equivalent 90 semester/135 quarter hours) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience. 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. Note: Applicants will receive a basic eligible or ineligible rating based upon the qualification requirements. 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 veteranâs preference will be given preference over qualified applicants not entitled to veteranâs 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. As a condition of employment, all new employees reporting for duty will be paid through direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice. Applicants selected for Federal employment will be required to complete a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failure to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on the application may be grounds for not hiring the applicant, or for firing the applicant after he/she begins work. Also, he/she may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. code, Title 18, section 1001). Prior to or at the time of appointment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959 will have to certify that they have registered with the Selective Service system in order to be appointed to a position with the USGS, unless legally qualified for an exception. Employees or the USGS are subject to the provisions of Title 43, U.S. code, Section 31 (a) and may not according to this legislation and related regulation: (A) have any personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in lands or mineral wealth of such lands or a region under survey and whose title is in the U.S.; (B) execute surveys or examination for private parties or corporations; or (C) have personal or private interest, direct or indirect, in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business in the U.S. except where specifically authorized by the director of the USGS. HOW TO APPLY: Carefully read all information and instructions. It is the responsibility of the applicant to insure the application is completed. 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 by the closing date of the announcement to be considered. Submit one of the following forms of application: (a) resume or (b) OF-612, Optional Application for Federal employments, or (c) other written format. Also, please submit college transcript or list of college courses, specifying title of course work, completion date, semester or quarter hours earned by course title, and grade earned. If claiming 5 point veterans preference, a DD-214 showing character of discharge is required. If claiming 10 point veterans preference, a SF-15 with proof of claim is required. The USGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, fitness, and qualifications without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin, non-disqualifying handicap conditions, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors. APPLY TO: Peggy Hamilton, USGS/BRD, 3020 State University Dr East, Room 3006, Sacramento, CA 95819, FAX (916) 278-9474 PLEASE LIST THE WERC ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER ON YOUR RESUME (WERC 74-08-01)
