The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program, Sierra Nevada Network is recruiting 4 seasonal Biological Science Technicians to be a part of a field crew that will be collecting forest health data in Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite national parks.
Job Title: Biological Science Technician Job Type: full-time seasonal position Organization: National Park Service Location: Three Rivers, CA (Duty Station) Open Period: January 30 - February 5, 2013 Vacancies: 4 crew members (3 GS-0404-05, 1 GS-0404-06) Duration: 14 weeks late June to late September (exact dates TBD) Grades: GS-0404-5 ($15.00/hour), GS-0404-06 (16.73/hour) Job Description: The incumbents will implement the network’s white pine monitoring protocol by collecting field data in high-elevation forests. The majority of work will take place in the field in remote, backcountry locations with overnight camping and travel required. A minor component of the work will be in the office, periodically transferring data and updating the network’s ecologist on accomplishments and impediments. These positions will be supervised by the network’s ecologist, and are temporary with full-time work schedules. Major Duties: Implement a recently developed long-term monitoring protocol for high-elevation five-needle pine forest dynamics. Establish monitoring plots throughout Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite, and follow the protocol’s procedures for field methods and data collection. Follow procedures for data collection, maintenance and delivery outlined in the monitoring protocol, and take and keep high-quality field notes. Adhere to all communication and backcountry travel policies outlined in the SIEN Safety Plan. Periodically meet with network ecologist and provide feedback on the protocol’s implementation. The emphasis of these positions is on field work in both team and individual settings. Primary duties include backpacking to high-elevation forest sites in park Wilderness, collecting forest community, structure, and health data, and documenting site characteristics through photographs and field data forms. Additional duties may include entering field data into software programs and working in databases. Topographic maps and global positioning systems will be used to aid in navigation and document sample site locations; a compass may also be used as a navigational tool. Hiking and sampling work may sometimes occur in inclement weather. The work involves large amounts of time outside under a variety of conditions, including high elevations (over 10,000 feet) and extreme heat and cold. Temperatures in the foothills may reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit for periods of days. High elevations may receive snow storms in the middle of summer. Much of the field season will be spent camping in remote locations in Wilderness. Field work will involve hiking long distances carrying backpacks and sampling equipment weighing up to 1/3 of the technicians’ body weight. For more information and to apply, view the announcements at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/SEKI827165 and https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/SEKI827163. Note that you must apply through the usajobs.gov website to be considered for this position. Questions about the position can be directed to Jonathan Nesmith (jonathan_nesm...@nps.gov)
