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Biological Science Technician (Botany)

U.S. Geological Survey

Corvallis, Oregon

Job Type Temporary
Salary Details $19.38/hour
Deadline Dec 02, 2023
Required Experience 0 - 1 years
Field crew working in Moses Coulee in eastern Washington

GG-404-5 Biological Science Technicians  

Vacancy # SRFS-24-002 

Salary: $19.38 per hour   

Duration of job: April 8, 2024 through approx. August 24, 2024 

Type of appointment: Temporary - Fulltime, with possible periods of PT or Intermittent work. 

Opens: 11/14/2023   Closes: 12/02/2023 

DUTIES (specific): As a Biological Science Technician Field Assistant with the U.S. Geological Survey, some of your specific duties will include:   

  • Identify grasses, forbs, and shrubs to species (up to 250 different species) 
  • Monitor native grasses, forbs, and shrub volume and density 
  • Perform various vegetation cover and fuel load sampling protocols 
  • Operates 4-wheel drive vehicles on poor and sometime muddy roads 
  • Accurately record and enter data on tablets in field 

The USGS is seeking to hire 4 technicians that will work on three different projects over the summer, investigating: 1) the long-term ecological impacts of fuel reduction treatments in the intermountain sagebrush steppe and western juniper woodlands (find out more about the project at www.sagestep.org); 2) methods to improve and streamline fuel load measurements along Potential Control Lines to support strategic pre-fire planning in sagebrush rangelands, linking on-the-ground measurements with UAV imagery; and 3) the efficacy of sagebrush restoration approaches and their success in creating functional sage-grouse habitat in post-fire landscapes.  Technicians may also work on several other USGS projects identifying strategies to control the dominance of cheatgrass and other weeds on Great Basin rangelands, restoring native species, and increasing biodiversity. Technicians will be part of a four-person team working and camping in the field together.  Crews will install monitoring transects in established long term subplots to collect botanical & fuel data & samples following established protocols.   

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Field work will take place throughout eastern OR, eastern WA, northern CA, southwestern ID, and northern NV, and lab/computer work will be done in Corvallis, OR.  Work is performed in a lab and field environment. Field work involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, wind, & extreme cold/hot weather.  Fieldwork typically involves 5-9 consecutive days in remote field locations with workdays up to 12 hours/day.  Due to the wide geographical extent of the project, extensive travel is necessary.  Work involves camping in tents on public lands, hiking in rugged terrain, & working under extreme weather conditions.  Must know and follow personal safety precautions. If selected, you will be required to complete a pre-employment physical and must have a valid driver’s license. 

Must have 9 months of field experience OR 3 years of sub-professional work experience OR 3 years of college with courses related to the work of the position to be filled (equivalent to 120 semester/180 quarter hrs) plus 3 months of lab or field work experience.  In addition, desired applicant will have at least 3 months of experience identifying plants in the field.      

Benefits:  

  • Technicians are eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. 
  • Technicians will receive $40/day per diem while camping. 
  • Technicians will earn 4 hours of sick leave and 4 hours of annual leave every pay period. 
HOW TO APPLY

Make sure to indicate in your application the Job # SRFS-24-002.  

HOW TO APPLY: Submit one of the following forms of application: (a) résumé OR (b) OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, OR (c) other written format. IF SUBMITTING A RESUME be sure to include the following for EACH job listed: To and From dates of employment as mm/dd/yyyy and how many hours per week you worked each job; percentage of time spent doing field survey work; percentage of time spent doing laboratory work; statement of duties; supervisor contact information. Also identify any job on resume that you received credit on a college transcript for.  Be sure to also address the additional qualifier, if applicable. Please also submit transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) to document all education used for position qualification. ALWAYS INCLUDE THE JOB# OF THE VACANCY YOU ARE APPLYING TO. Application package can be submitted electronically to email address provided below by closing date. Hard Copy applications are also accepted but must be received by the closing date. To claim 5 point Veteran's Preference, a DD214 showing character of discharge is required. If claiming 10 point Veteran's Preference, a SF15 with proof of claim is required. 

Send Application packages to:  gs_nw_fresc_jobs@usgs.gov    

OR  

Apply In Person At:          

USGS FRESC 

777 NW 9th St STE 400  

CORVALLIS, OR 97330-6169      

Apply By Mail To:             

FRESC Jobs  

USGS FRESC 

777 NW 9th St STE 400  

CORVALLIS, OR 97330-6169        

Contact By:  

              Phone   (541) 750-1040 

              Fax        (541) 750-1066 

              Email    gs_nw_fresc_jobs@usgs.gov   

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.   This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities 

For more information please contact:  

Michelle Schatz – USGS FRESC HQ – for application questions 

Ph. (541)750-1040  OR  Email:  gs_nw_fresc_jobs@usgs.gov  

Scott Shaff - USGS FRESC - for job questions 

Ph. (541) 714-0238 OR Email:  sshaff@usgs.gov  

When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.

Category Botany, Forestry