Positions will be filled with the Chugach National Forest with promotion potential to the GS-09 and GS-11; and the Tongass National Forest with promotion potential to the GS-11 level. For information about positions with the Chugach National Forest contact Kate Mohatt at [email protected]; and the Tongass National Forest contact Jacqueline Foss at [email protected].

Duties

Duties are described for the target grade level, GS-11. Provides botanical and ecological technical support to the forest program of work including evaluating areas for rare or sensitive plant occurrence and developing efficient methods for invasive plant treatments. Works with soil scientists, zone botanists, and regional office counterparts to improve soil and vegetation inventories and promote methods for efficient plot data collection. Provides technical ecology and botany support to forest planning efforts and district level NEPA analysis. Provides technical ecology and botany support to forest planning efforts and district level NEPA analysis. Works closely with other resource specialists to review projects or activities on-the-ground and to analyze impacts to botanical resources as a result of such activities; prepares reports. Collects plot data prepares reports and maintains databases associated with the ecological inventory program, rare plant program and invasive species program. Supports forest planning efforts including the identification of species of conservation concern and focal species. Develops partnerships and agreements for invasive plant treatments and technical botany and ecology support. Travels to field sites throughout the Tongass National Forest and assists zone botanist in developing efficient data collection for a variety of projects.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• This position requires initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.
• This is a Test Designated Position. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results.

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. Basic Educational Requirement: GS-0408 Series: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement listed above, you must also possess specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience or Education Requirement: Basic Educational Requirement: GS-0408 Series: Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. In addition to meeting the basic educational requirement listed above, you must also possess specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience or Education Requirement: For the GS-09 Level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent private sector experience. Specialized Experience is defined as one or more of the following: Served as an advanced trainee specializing in ecology and performed common qualitative and quantitative analysis of ecosystems; OR Assisted in carrying out a range of analytical/scientific ecological assignments that include researching and analyzing data, issues, and information that support ecosystem management recommendations. -OR- 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or Master's or equivalent graduate degree, LL.B. or J.D.(coursework directly related to position being filled); -OR- An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). For the GS-11 Level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent private sector experience. Specialized Experience is defined as one or more of the following: Conducted an ecological study of vegetation, soil and environmental characteristics of an area and produced management interpretations; Reviewed, analyzed and coordinated the preparation of comments on routine environmental impact statements; OR Assessed hazardous waste sites through the use of remedial investigation and feasibility studies and implemented remedies. -OR- 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled); -OR- An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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]