The USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center is currently recruiting biological science technicians (botany) for a large-scale fire rehabilitation research study in the northern Great Basin. The technicians will be stationed in either Corvallis, Oregon and/or Boise, Idaho (dependent on the application pool), and the work season will be from approximately mid-April to August of 2011. To apply for these positions, follow instructions in the complete vacancy announcement printed below:
VACANCY NO: CRG-11-004 POSITION: Biological Science Technician (Botany), GG-404-5 SALARY: $15.00 per hour DATE OPENED: 01/17/2011 DATE CLOSED: 02/11/2011 TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Temporary appointment STARTING DATE: 04/18/2011 NUMBER OF POSITIONS: up to 10 LENGTH OF POSITION: 3-6 months, contingent on budget. TOUR OF DUTY: Full Time, with possible periods of part-time and intermittent work. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. citizens LOCATION: US Geological Survey, Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis Research Group, Corvallis, Oregon or Snake River Field Station, Boise, ID 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 3-6 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. DUTIES (specific): The biological science technicians will work on a Joint Fire Science-funded project investigating effectiveness and current conditions of historical fire emergency stabilization and rehabilitation projects in the northern Great Basin. The project seeks to determine if post-fire broadcast and drill seedings on BLM-administered lands result in a more desirable plant community and fuel structure relative to no treatment following wildfire. Field work will take place primarily in eastern Oregon, Nevada, western Utah, and southern Idaho. Major duties of the position include identifying Great Basin plants to species, collecting vegetation and fuel load sampling data, collection of GPS and photo points, driving on poor and sometimes muddy roads, collection of plant and/or soil samples, accurately recording ecological data, and data entry. The technicians may also assist with site selection protocols to identify suitable study site and plot locations. The technicians will be stationed at either the USGS-FRESC Corvallis, OR or Boise, ID field stations, and field trips will require extensive highway travel and driving. The biological science technicians will work in 3-person teams in conjunction with two field crew coordinators. Each 3-person team will consist of two GG-05 technicians and one GG-06 crew lead. Field work will involve exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions. Crews will work independently with extensive stays (up to 10 days) in remote locations. Field trips will include extended periods of backcountry camping and some occasional stays at motels. 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 paid by the project at either standard federal per diem or a camp rate per diem. 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 sub-professional 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. Sub-professional 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 veteran’s preference who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. All other qualified applicants entitled to veteran’s preference will be given preference over qualified applicants not entitled to veteran’s 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 appointment, all new employees reporting for duty with the Department of the Interior 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 for 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 United States Geological Survey, unless legally qualified for an exception. Employees of the U.S. Geological Survey 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 U.S. Geological Survey. 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. Must also submit a copy of you college transcripts (unofficial acceptable) to document all education used for position qualification. To claim 5 point Veteran’s Preference, a DD-214 showing character of discharge is required. If claiming 10 point Veteran’s Preference, an SF- 15 with proof of claim is required. SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO: Michelle L. Schatz, AOA - Human Resources/Facilities USGS - Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 777 NW 9th Street, Suite 400, Corvallis, Oregon 97330-6169 Phone: (541) 750-1040 Fax: (541) 750-1066 Email: [email protected]
