OUTREACH NOTICE USDA-Agricultural Research Service Range and Meadow Forage Management Research Unit Burns, Oregon
The USDA-ARS is hiring a GS14/15 Supervisory Research Ecologist/Rangeland Management Specialist (GS-0408/0454). The purpose of this outreach is to inform potential applicants of the position, instruct how to apply for the position, and who to contact for further information. About the Position The USDA-ARS is advertising for a GS14/15 Supervisory Research Ecologist/Rangeland Management Specialist. The duty station for this position is Burns, Oregon in the southeastern portion of the state. The incumbent would serve as Research Leader for the Range and Meadow Forage Management Research Unit. This position offers a challenging career opportunity for a dynamic individual seeking a rangeland research leadership role. The incumbent serves as the Research Leader over a complex research program providing the science for sound land and livestock management focusing on productivity, weed invasion, species composition, and water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles in rangeland and meadow plant communities of the Great Basin. Oversight includes direct supervision of unit employees to develop high quality research outcomes with impact. The incumbent will also perform leading research to improving the resilience and recovery of rangeland ecosystems, providing sustainable systems for multiple land uses, including livestock grazing, wildfire protection, and restoration of sage grouse habitat, with emphasis on control of invasive annual grasses. As Research Leader, the incumbent is expected to develop collaborations and communicate technical information to a variety of stakeholders including government officials, scientific and academic communities, national or international scientific organizations, and diverse community and non-government groups. About the Research Unit The Range and Meadow Forage Management Research Unit is located at the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, which is operated cooperatively with Oregon State University. Currently, there are 13 permanent employees consisting of five scientists with expertise in rangeland management, plant physiology, and ecology; five technicians; and three office support staff. The Center serves two major cattle-raising environments of the region: the Great Basin sagebrush-steppe, and the inland coniferous forests. The Unit's mission is to develop agricultural and natural resource strategies that maintain or enhance intermountain forest and shrub steppe ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations. The current program includes research on invasive species; ecology and management of sagebrush range, juniper dominated sites, and riparian zones; livestock behavior; management of flood meadows; and traditional livestock management. Unit scientists and staff, in collaboration with their OSU colleagues, provide information and research services for ranchers, public land managers, hay producers, environmental groups, and the general public. Dissemination of information is achieved via journal publications, tours, field days, public presentations, and individual contacts. Burns, Oregon and Surrounding Areas Burns is located in the heart of eastern Oregon's wide open rangelands in Harney County. This incorporated "old west" community has a population of approximately 4,000 and is known for its surrounding natural features and outdoor recreation opportunities. Camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting are just a few activities that occur on public lands in the Blue Mountains to the north, Steens Mountain to the south, and many other remote, scenic areas. Because of the nearby Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the area is renown for being a spectacular bird watching destination. Historically, Burns has supported the county's economic base of farming and ranching. Tourism based on sports and recreation is on the rise. Burns is a full service community with hospital and medical facilities; a small airport; public elementary/middle school; public high school; access to higher education facilities; and several churches affiliated with a variety of religions. Housing is available below national average costs. For additional location information, visit the following websites: * City of Burns: http://ci.burns.or.us/ * Harney County: http://www.co.harney.or.us/ * Harney County Chamber of Commerce: http://www.harneycounty.com/ * Harney County public schools: http://www.burnsschools.k12.or.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=1 How to Apply * The vacancy announcement for this position (Job Announcement Number: ARS-D16W-0127<https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/426767600>) is posted on the U.S. Government official website for employment opportunities at: www.usajobs.gov<http://www.usajobs.gov>. All applications must be received through this website. Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin. The following instructions outline the application process: * You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. * We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our office during business hours well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages with supporting documents must be submitted no later than noon on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing. * This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process. Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov<http://www.usajobs.gov>. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application. Step 2: Create a Resume with USAJOBS or upload a Resume into your USAJOBS account. You may want to customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. In addition, your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement). Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application" to continue. NOTE: Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Once in the Agency's staffing system you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). You must submit a complete Application Package, prior to 11:59, ET, on the closing date of this announcement. The following documents must be submitted for your application package to be considered complete. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents are received within the required timeframes. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, system failure or downtime, etc. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Kent Amott, Human Resources Specialist Phone: 970/492-7037 Fax: 970/492-7034 TDD: 202/855-1234 E-mail address: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
