Announcement Number: WERC 74-08-01 Date Opened: 1/28/08 Date Closed: 2/22/08
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 Our research focuses on the processes underlying ecosystem recovery following disturbance, the effectiveness of active restoration of degraded upland desert habitats versus natural recovery, and long-term trends in Mojave Desert plant community change. 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, and off-road vehicles. We investigate how fluctuating desert climate, granivores such as ants and small mammals, and competition with invasive grasses interact to shape Mojave Desert shrubland communities. 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 will be asked to work on many different projects for periods of time during employment. We are seeking interested candidates that will specialize in one of three focus areas: Laboratory/Greenhouse (1 position), Field-Desert Tortoise (## positions), and Field-Arid Land Restoration (4 positions). Interested candidates should have a desire to work in a research team and willing to work under arduous desert conditions in the field and in the laboratory/greenhouse. 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, biomass collection, species identification, preparation of herbarium specimens), data management, maintenance of field, laboratory and computer equipment, and occasional library research. 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 and cold temperatures and will require the incumbent to carry objects weighing up to 100 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 periods of several days (7-14 nights 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. 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)
