The National Park Service will be hiring GS-0404-04 STEP (Student Temporary Employment Program) Biological Science Technician (Fire Effects Monitor) positions for summer 2012. Candidates need to be degree-seeking and enrolled at least half-time in the Fall 2012 semester. These positions will be based out of the Northern Great Plains Fire Management Office at Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, SD. The NGP fire effects crew is responsible for fire effects monitoring at 10 National Parks and Monuments in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming.
Major Duties: This outreach notice is for a fire effects crewmember position. The primary responsibilities of this position are to serve as a member of a field crew that performs community vegetation sampling to assess the effects of prescribed burning at National Park Service units in the Northern Great Plains ecoregion. Sampling includes identifying plants to the species level, recording various biological attributes, measuring fuel loading, and collecting / processing live and dead fuel moisture samples. Employee uses maps, compass, and gps to locate, reread, and install permanent plots. Enters natural resource field data into a personal computer using FFI, Ecological Monitoring Utilities. Catalogs, labels, and stores plant materials collected during the season. If desired and red-carded, some opportunities to help with wildland and prescribed fire operations may exist during the season. *Note: Prior experience as a wildland firefighter is not a prerequisite of employment. Actual duties will be commensurate with experience level and qualifications. WAGES: Approximately $13.41/hr LENGTH OF SEASON: Mid to late May until mid-August. HOUSING: Employee housing may be available for rent at Wind Cave N.P., or in the nearby towns of Custer and Hot Springs, SD. AREA INFORMATION: Wind Cave National Park is located in the southern Black Hills of southwest South Dakota, approximately 5 ½ hours north of Denver, CO. Medical and dental services, shopping, restaurants, and churches of most faiths are available in Hot Springs (12 miles) and Custer (20 miles). The full service community of Rapid City, SD, population 60,000, is 60 miles away. HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in this position, please send complete transcripts (unofficial OK) and a resume to Dan Swanson at [email protected]. The resume must include the school you are attending/will be attending in Fall 2012, the degree you are seeking, and your anticipated graduation date. APPLY BY: January 16, 2012 Please distribute the outreach notice widely and encourage interested candidates to contact Dan Swanson (Fire Ecologist) at 605-745-1172 with any additional questions. You can learn more about the fire effects crew and the Northern Great Plains Fire Management Program by visiting our website at http://www.nps.gov/ngpfire/. The National Park Service is an equal opportunity employer. Dan Swanson - Fire Ecologist Northern Great Plains Park Group 26611 U.S. Hwy 385 Hot Springs, SD 57747 work: 605-745-1172 cell: 605-517-6002
