This position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is to assist scientists or higher-graded technicians with conducting ecological management activities either in a laboratory setting or in forest and/or prairie ecosystems.

Duties

Performs technical assignments consisting of routine laboratory and/or field experiments that require the use of accepted, standardized laboratory or field practices. Assists in the acquisition of field data by measuring and recording pertinent biological information, which involves performance of a series of related technical tasks that must be completed from a predetermined and established routine. Tabulates and orders data as directed and prepares data for computer use. Assists in the layout of experimental plots by taking measurements and marking corners and boundaries. Uses botanical key to identify plants encountered during field trips or surveys of Forest areas. Assists in the collection, handling, and preservation of specimens. All biological data pertinent to collections and preservation are recorded. Assists in maintenance of various collections used in connection with day-to-day research activities. Observes and records expected responses in experiments and keeps aware of factors and situations included in experiments to ensure against error and to increase the reliability of the results obtained. Participates and conducts a variety of routine field studies of native and non-native botanical species and their habitats. Collects data for use in habitat and species condition analyses. Collects survey and inventory data that is used to establish species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions, and factors affecting the vigor and extent of the species and their habitat. Keeps records of all data and produces maps of survey areas. Lays out monitoring plots by taking measurements and marking corners and boundaries. Uses botanical key to assist with the identification of plants encountered during field trips or surveys of Forest areas. Compiles and summarizes the vegetation types obtained from aerial and ground surveys including forest health monitoring, biological evaluations, and pilot tests conducted as part of the project. Uses computer systems and associated software for recording, organizing, storing, and analyzing data. Performs the full range of standard technical assignments consisting of routine invasive non-native plant treatment, management, inventory, and monitoring of invasive non-native plants commonly found in the work area. Assists in identifying invasive non-native plants using various field guides, surveying for target plants, collecting data on infestation location and status, and treating invasive plant infestations. Treatments primarily involve using herbicides, but may also be accomplished by hand-pulling, or using hand tools, power tools, mowers, and other standard control methods. Accurately and legibly records data related to invasive non-native plant treatments according to specific protocols. A portion of time may be dedicated to data entry and other duties in a laboratory or office setting. Performs highly physical labor and daily hiking, often to remote locations in rugged terrain under possible adverse weather conditions. Uses global positioning systems, aerial photographs, topographic maps, or compass in navigation. Applies herbicides using backpack sprayers or other equipment on a regular basis according to specific guidelines. Performs basic mathematical calculations related to herbicide mixing and applications. Uses appropriate personal protective equipment supplied by the Forest Service at all times. May identify, collect, and release appropriate insects (biological control) to achieve desired objectives. Assists with native plant, pollinators, and phenology surveys. Carries out pollinator habitat enhancement, tends restoration gardens, performs duties such as planting, seed collection and cleaning, weeding, irrigation or native plant nursery work.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-Verify.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. GS-04: Applicants must have six months of any type of work that demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation AND six months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-3 grade level; OR an associate's degree or two years of successfully completed education above high school (90 quarter or 60 semester hours) that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, agriculture, or mathematics and at least 6 hours must be directly related to the position; OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. Examples of General Experience includes: Performing farm/ranch labor, such as tending crops or general maintenance of plants and vegetation; working in a greenhouse, nursery or landscape business tending plants and performing general labor tasks; or other work experience, paid or unpaid, that demonstrates an ability to learn and perform the work of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Participating in plant-related projects by assisting with measurements, recording observations, and assisting with the collection of biological and vegetation specimens. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]