METEOROLOGIST (GS-1340-9/11)
OR
ECOLOGIST (GS-0408-9/11)
USDA FOREST SERVICE NORTHERN RESEARCH STATION
About the Position
The Northern Research Station is announcing an
upcoming vacancy for a Meteorologist
(GS-1340-9/11) or Ecologist (GS-0408-9/11)
position that will provide science and science
support to the Center for Research on Ecosystem
Change in the Northern Research Station. The
position is a permanent appointment with a
full-time tour of duty, stationed in Grand Rapids, MN.
Job Description
The primary duty will be to operate, maintain,
troubleshoot, summarize data and publish papers
on the eddy covariance system located at the Bog
Lake peatland on the Marcell Experimental
Forest. Secondary duties will include support
and cooperation with Forest Service and
collaborating scientists from universities and
other agencies. The individual will supervise and
participate in the installation and maintenance
of various studies and collection of data
including soil, hydrological, and geological
data, gas flux and biogeochemical data, and plant
data. The individual will determine ecosystem
carbon fluxes using gas flux measurements,
belowground measurements, climate data and eddy
covariance technology. The individual will
perform or supervise laboratory preparation of
field samples and field data collection. They
will insure the integrity of data for a variety
of studies by following approved QA/QC
procedures. They will summarize and analyze data
using a variety of statistical techniques,
including ANOVA, regression, and software,
including SAS, and Sigma-Plot. The individual
will assist scientists in the preparation of
manuscripts, proposals, study plans and
presentations. They will coordinate the work of
technicians, temporary employees, and graduate
students and assist with technology transfer
including presentations, workshops, and demonstrations.
Knowledge Required
Substantial knowledge of the technical aspects of
measuring carbon fluxes with eddy covariance
techniques. Ability to design and organize
project objectives and select alternative work
processes. The individual must have the ability
to train and supervise field crews and laboratory
staffs, follow safety and health procedures, and
write technical reports and
manuscripts. Knowledge of computer functions
related to data input, retrieval, analysis of
data, and management of resulting datasets is
required. The individual must have the ability to
operate motor vehicles and other motorized
equipment, and to use hand tools and forestry and laboratory instruments.
Other Information of Interest
· The area of consideration is Government-wide and External DEMO
· One position will be advertised
· Work will include overnight travel
· Basic entry qualifications for this
series are a degree in meteorology, ecology,
atmospheric sciences, plant physiology,
hydrology, soil science, biology, agriculture,
natural resource management, chemistry, or
related disciplines appropriate to the position,
or a combination of education and experience
(courses equivalent to a major, plus appropriate
experience or additional education).
· In addition to meeting the basic entry
qualifications, applicants must have specialized
experience and/or 2 years of progressively higher
level graduate education leading to a masters or equivalent degree
· Experience with SAS
· Experience with eddy covariance systems
· Good written and verbal communication skills are essential
· An ability to work both independently and
in a team setting is necessary
· United States citizenship required
The Research Environment
The focus of the research program in Grand Rapids
is on 1) understanding ecosystem processes and
functions at multiple scales; 2) predicting
ecosystem responses to disturbance and change; 3)
assessing management approaches to address
factors that change ecosystems; and 4) evaluating
long-term responses to change and management
utilizing our experimental forest. We manage the
Marcell Experimental Forest, a site of long-term
collection of data on hydrology, water chemistry,
soil, climate and ecosystem biogeochemical fluxes
in upland/peatland watersheds in northern Minnesota.
The Grand Rapids Community
The community of Grand Rapids is a city of about
8,000 located in the north-central part of
Minnesota in the heart of lake country. Grand
Rapids has a rich history in logging, iron
mining, and year-around recreation. There are
more than a million acres of forests and over a
thousand lakes in the Grand Rapids area. The
city is a regional center for education,
recreation, commerce, and culture. The Reif
Center for the Performing Arts and the Itasca
Community College contribute greatly to the
cultural and educational opportunities within the
community. The Forestry Sciences Laboratory is
located on the campus of the Itasca Community
College and the University of Minnesotas North
Central Research and Outreach Center. The
Chippewa and Superior National Forests are
nearby, as are numerous State and County
forests. A Regional Office for the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources is located in
Grand Rapids as well as production facilities and
land management offices for the UPM Blandin Paper
Company. The Duluth, Hibbing, and Bemidji
airports serve the community with connections to
Minneapolis. Grand Rapids is a full service
community with an abundance of medical, dental,
and legal services. Housing for either renting
or buying in a broad range of price categories is
readily available. For more information about
Grand Rapids see
<http://www.visitgrandrapids.com>http://www.visitgrandrapids.com.
To Express Interest
To learn more about the job duties or other
questions about the position, contact Randy Kolka
at (218) 326-7115 (e-mail: [email protected])
If you are interested in this position, please
fill out the enclosed outreach notice. Once the
position is advertised in USAJOBS, we will notify you by email.
Candidates will be considered without
discrimination for any non-merit reason such as
race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
politics, marital status, physical handicap, age
or membership in any employee organization. The
USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
OUTREACH NOTICE
APPLICANT REPLY FORM
If you are interested in this position, please
complete and submit this form to Randy Kolka,
Team Leader, Grand Rapids, MN, [email protected];
FAX 218-326-7123. This will help us determine the
level of interest of prospective candidates and
establish the area of consideration. Please respond by April 15, 2015.
Title of Outreach Position: Meteorologist or Ecologist
Name:
Email Address:
Mailing Address:
Telephone Number: Work: Home:
Agency Employed with: USFS Other (Please list):
Type of appointment currently under (please check one):
Permanent Temporary Term Other (Please list):
Current
Region/Forest/District:
Current Series and Grade:
Current Position/Title:
If not a current permanent (career or career
conditional) employee, are you eligible to be
hired under any of the following special authorities:
Persons with Disabilities
Veterans Recruitment Appointment
Disabled Veteran w/30% Compensable Disability
Veteran Employment Opportunities Act of 1998
Former Peace Corp Volunteer
Student Career Experience Program
Other (explain):
How did you hear of this position?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR VACANCY
