2009 OUTREACH NOTICE
PNW Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis Program
Anchorage Forestry Sciences Laboratory
September/October 2008
This notification is being circulated to inform prospective applicants of
these upcoming opportunities and to determine interest in these positions.
Forester/Ecologist GS-0460/0408 5/7/9 Permanent seasonal (13/13)
Crew Leader
Forestry Tech GS-0462 5, 6 Permanent seasonal (13/13)
Crew Member
Forestry Tech GS-0462 5, 6 Temporary (1039 hr)
Crew Member
The Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab anticipates hiring both permanent
seasonal and 1039 temporary positions to serve on the data collection team
in Alaska. These positions are with the Pacific Northwest Research
Stations Alaska Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program
(http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/fia). The Alaska FIA Program is part of the
Forest Services nationwide forest census and conducts forest inventories
and forest health monitoring on all forestlands, across all ownership, in
Alaska. FIA plots are permanent plots installed on a systematic grid and
are scheduled to be re-visited approximately every 10 years. A wide range
of forestry and location variables are collected on all plots, with a small
sub sample of the plots getting additional variables collected for forest
health measurements including vegetation, lichens or soils, down woody
debris, and crown measurements.
Alaska is divided into two units, Coastal and Interior. During the 2009
field season, all positions will be working within the Coastal Unit, with
inventory work conducted in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska from
Ketchikan to Kodiak Island. We will also be re-measuring plots burned in a
wildfire on the Kenai Peninsula in 2007, and part of the crew may also work
a couple weeks on a bio-energy study in Interior Alaska. While in Alaska,
field operations will be based primarily aboard a research vessel. Travel
to and from field sites are accomplished predominantly by helicopter
flights, with occasional skiff, float plane, or road access. In future
years, work may be divided between Alaskas Coastal and Interior units.
Positions with FIA in Alaska are adventurous, challenging, and rewarding.
The terrain traversed flying, hiking, and working can be immensely
spectacular but can also be very physically and mentally challenging.
The permanent seasonal positions are 13/13, meaning that a minimum of 13
two-week pay periods of work per year (about six months) are guaranteed,
with additional work possible. Since the Alaska season generally lasts 8
to 9 pay periods, the guaranteed 13 pay periods of work includes a detail
working with FIA crews measuring FIA plots in California, Oregon, or
Washington after the Alaska field season, although there may be some
positions that will remain in Anchorage to work. Temporary appointments
last approximately 4-6 months (6 months not guaranteed) and may not exceed
1039 hours. The Alaska field season is expected to start in early or mid
May.
Duties common to all positions: A majority of the duties will be devoted
to data collection operations of which, about four to five months will be
spent in the field. Crews of two to four people will collect field data
for annual inventory and forest health monitoring. Duties include photo
interpretation; locating inventory plots; and measuring various tree and
site information. Duties also include daily documentation, downloading,
and editing of field data. The Alaska field season lasts from May through
early or mid August. After a series of trainings in Anchorage, the field
season work schedule is 11 days in the field, with 8-12 hours per day, and
4 days off in Anchorage.
The Crew Leader Forester/Ecologist position has additional duties as noted:
Crew Leader Forester/Ecologist: The Crew Leader position leads a crew of
two to four people collecting field data for annual inventory and forest
health monitoring in all parts of the state. Crew leaders share duties as
helicopter managers and will receive training leading to helicopter manager
certification.
Work Environment: Alaska provides a wide diversity of ecological
communities which include coastal Sitka spruce and hemlock rain forests,
interior mixed spruce and birch boreal forests, and expansive black spruce
bogs. Extensive areas of alpine tundra, shrub land, high peaks, and
glaciers occupy the non-forest areas. Work conditions are often arduous.
Hazards encountered include rugged terrain, aviation, and bear encounters.
Work may be performed in inclement weather (cold, rain, snow), on steep,
slippery, and/or brushy slopes, and in the presence of biting insects.
Significant amounts of off-trail hiking are required. Employees must carry
a 45lb pack daily, with pack weights sometimes exceeding 60lbs if survival
and flight gear needs to be carried. Excellent physical conditioning is an
absolute must. Additionally, Alaska crews must travel in small aircrafts,
helicopters, and boats; carry a firearm for bear protection; and live in
cramped quarters with nearly continuous background noise (generators,
engines, etc.).
Anchorage is nestled between the Chugach Mountains and the upper shores of
Cook Inlet in the heart of Alaskas Southcentral Gulf Coast. It is central
to many recreational opportunities and offers many cultural activities from
a performing arts center to outdoor music festivals. With a diverse
population of about 300,000, Anchorage offers most of the amenities found
in much larger cities (Museum of History and Art, Performing Art Center,
Native Heritage Center, shopping centers, and several large hospitals).
The city trail system offers ample recreation opportunities and a sense of
wilderness within the city. There are over 120 miles of groomed X-country
ski/hiking/biking trails (30 miles lighted), over 70 ball fields, 5 golf
courses, and numerous small parks and playgrounds.
If you are interested in any of these positions please complete and submit
the attached form. To apply for these positions, you must apply when
vacancy announcements are posted on www.usajobs.opm.gov. We hope to see
the vacancy announcements posted in late November or early December.
If you would like more information on positions at the Anchorage Forestry
Sciences Lab, please contact:
Connie Hubbard
Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab
3301 C St., Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 743-9420
Fax: (907) 743-9482
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ray Koleser
Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab
3301 C. St., Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 743-9416
Fax: (907) 743-9482
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
FOREST SERVICE EMPLOYEES ON THE WORKFORCE REDUCTION AND PLACEMENT LIST WILL
RECEIVE PRIORITY CONSIDERATION AND CTAP/ICTAP CANDIDATES WILL RECEIVE THE
APPROPRIATE CONSIDERATION.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Thank you for your interest in this position
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply
to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes,
etc) should contact USDAs TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave, SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9401 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA
Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
OUTREACH NOTICE FORM
Pacific Northwest Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis Program
Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab
I am interested in:
Position(s) Appointment type/Series/Grade:
___________________________________________
I am interested in this position and will check http://www.usajobs.opm.gov
for the vacancy announcement, or I will call/email/fax the contact person.
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Name: ______________________________ Date: ________________
Address: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Phone: _________________ E-Mail: ___________________
Are you currently a Federal employee: YES ____ NO ___
If Yes: Current title/series/grade/location:
_________________________________________
Type of appointment you are currently under
_______________________________________
(e.g., Career, Career-Conditional, Excepted-
ANILCA, Excepted VRA, etc)
Briefly state why you are interested in this position:
Please return completed form to one of contact persons listed below:
Connie Hubbard
Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab
3301 C St., Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 743-9420
Fax: (907) 743-9482
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ray Koleser
Anchorage Forestry Sciences Lab
3301 C. St., Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 743-9416
Fax: (907) 743-9482
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
