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.