This position is located within a National Forest. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of complex and recurring technical duties in support of the unit's plant program as it relates to native and non-native botanical species, plant habitats, and/or noxious weed control.

Duties

Independently, or as a crew leader, plans, participates, and conducts a variety of field studies of native and non-native botanical species and their habitats. Coordinates with resource specialist in planning work. Develops plans to collect data for use in habitat and species condition analyses. Keeps records of all data and produces maps of survey areas. Collects survey and inventory data to determine species identity, population characteristics, environmental conditions, and factors affecting the vigor and extent of the species and their habitat. Schedules, organizes, and executes botanical projects involving native and/or non-native species. Resolves common administrative and safety concerns related to the projects. Improves, adapts, and develops techniques, methods, and equipment based on experience, practical knowledge, and prescribed procedures. Compiles and summarizes the data obtained from surveys, inventories, biological evaluations, and monitoring. Determines need and recommends equipment requirements for botanical projects and assures equipment is operational and available when needed. Uses computer systems and associated software for recording, organizing, storing, and analyzing data. Provides detailed reports on work methods, data collected, and project monitoring. Evaluates data and makes recommendations for improvement of habitat. Provides data to resource specialist after checking for discrepancies and inconsistencies. Assists with analysis, interpretation, and refinement of botanical data, and development of reports. Participates in the development of the overall plant project plans and programs for the unit. Researches background material. Arranges for and lays out study sites for plant habitats and populations. Develops data required for the study by collecting and checking samples obtained by self or others and prepares data for processing. Maintains a variety of equipment. Organizes collections, and records and verifies plant habitats and populations data. Prepares reports summarizing data processed, prepares charts, graphs, and cross references facts, dates, and other data to determine past management history. 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. Assist in the training and awareness program ensuring that employees, volunteers, partners and others can identify infestation of plants. Performs a variety of routine and complex technical tasks to prevent and control noxious weeds in the Forest involving a full range of integrated weed management techniques, e.g., biological, cultural, mechanical, chemical, and prevention. Schedules, organizes, and conducts field surveys to identify, document, and map noxious weed infestations. Collects data and enters data into databases; generates reports from databases. Prepares written and graphical reports of findings in a variety of formats; and assembles information for development of noxious weeds control project plans. Compiles, manages, analyzes, and interprets data collected by the incumbent and others. provides noxious weed information for project analysis which may include written reports and/or summaries. Produces accurate maps of noxious weed infestations using GIS database technology and GPS location technology. Makes recommendations based upon analysis of data and research on the best methods for control and eradication of noxious weeds. Participates in weed control activities including the physical removal of invasive weeds. Operates a variety of field equipment commonly used in treating, preventing, and eradicating noxious weeds such as all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s), utility terrain vehicles (UTV’s), herbicide application equipment, GPS equipment, and cameras. Serves as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on a variety of noxious weed control projects. Performs routine established inspection duties under close supervision of the Contracting Officer (CO). Assists in preparing and presenting noxious weed informational and/or educational materials to employees, partners, volunteers, contractors, and permittees to improve early detection of new weed infestations.

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.
• Must obtain and show proof you have a valid herbicide applicators license.

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-07: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6); OR one full year (18 semester/27 quarter hours) of successfully completed graduate level coursework that is directly related to the work of the position such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics; OR combinations of graduate level education that is directly related to the position and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Examples of specialized experience include: Performing the full range of standardized 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. OR Accurately collecting and entering weed treatment and inventory data into databases, queries data, creates maps, and generates reports. OR Assisted with scheduling, organizing, and executing botanical projects involving native and/or non-native plant species utilizing the fundamentals of integrated pest management. OR Applying herbicides using backpack sprayers or other equipment on a regular basis according to specific guidelines and performing basic mathematical calculations related to herbicide mixing and applications. Selective Placement Factors The duties of this position may require the incumbent to obtain and maintain a State Herbicide Applicator's License. The incumbent must obtain the license within 120 days of the initial appointment to the position. 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]