Please see below outreach notice for a Physical Science Technician at
the USDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station located in Grand
Rapids MN. Deadline for response is January 31, 2016.
Outreach Notice
Physical Science Technician (GS-1311-7)
USDA FOREST SERVICE NORTHERN RESEARCH STATION
About the Position
The Northern Research Station is announcing an upcoming vacancy for a
Physical Sciences Technician (GS-1311-7) 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, maintain the highest level of QA/QC procedures in a soil, water
and plant chemistry laboratory. Secondary duties will include field
support and cooperation with Forest Service and collaborating scientists
from universities and other agencies. The individual will perform or
supervise laboratory preparation of field samples and field data
collection. The individual will assist scientists in the preparation of
manuscripts, proposals, study plans and presentations as needed. They
will coordinate the work of technicians, temporary employees, and
graduate students.
Knowledge Required
Knowledge of operation and maintenance of the instrumentation of a soil,
water and plant chemistry laboratory is essential. Instrumentation
includes an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer,
Total Elemental CHN Analyzer, Autoanalyzer, TOC Analyzer, Ion
Chromatograph, UV-Vis Spectrometer, and Alkalinity and pH meters.
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 field research equipment
such as GPS, soil corers, and water samplers.
Other Information of Interest
•The area of consideration is all United States citizens
•One position will be advertised
•Work will include overnight travel
•Basic entry qualifications for this series are a bachelor’s degree in
chemistry, natural resources, soil science, water resources, ecology,
atmospheric sciences, hydrology, biology, agriculture, or related
disciplines appropriate to the position.
•Experience with the operation of chemistry laboratory equipment
•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. Many of the samples that are analyzed in the
chemistry laboratory are a result of studies the Marcell Experimental
Forest as well as soil samples generated nationally from the Forest
Service’s Forest and Inventory and Analysis Program.
The Grand Rapids Community
The community of Grand Rapids is a city of about 10,000 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 Minnesota’s 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.
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 by January 31. 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 January 15, 2016.
Title of Outreach Position: Physical Science Technician
Name:
Email Address:
Mailing Address:
Telephone Number: Work: Home:
Agency Employed with: 0 USFS 0 Other (Please list):
Type of appointment currently under (please check one):
0 Permanent 0 Temporary 0 Term 0 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:
0 Persons with Disabilities
0 Veterans Recruitment Appointment
0 Disabled Veteran w/30% Compensable Disability
0 Veteran Employment Opportunities Act of 1998
0 Former Peace Corp Volunteer
0 Student Career Experience Program
0 Other (explain):
How did you hear of this position?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR VACANCY
