This Research Ecologist/Research Wildlife Biologist supports the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and is located in Monticello, AR. This is not a remote position. The mission of this research unit is to develop the ecological and silvicultural theory and practice to restore, manage, and sustain southern pine-dominated ecosystems in the southern United States. For more information about this position, contact Dr. Don Bragg at [email protected].

Duties

Develop studies consistent with the mission of SRS-4159 across the southern United States, with a particular emphasis on the pine-dominated upland forest ecosystems in the West Gulf Coastal Plain and Interior Highlands. Plan and conduct research on wildlife-related issues in the pine- and pine-hardwood-dominated ecosystems of the southern US. Develop a research program capable of improving our understanding of the many different scales upon which forests influence wildlife using available technologies, advanced field and laboratory techniques, and/or sophisticated data analysis tools. Determine key aspects of the experimental design and serve as an expert in the fields of wildlife habitat management, applied forest ecology and restoration, and dynamics across multiple scales in southern pine- and pine-hardwood-dominated forests. Collaborate with internal and external entities to disseminate research findings and obtain guidance concerning research that promotes scientific study and management practices. Plan work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust short-term priorities, prepare schedules for completion of work, and assign work to subordinates based on priorities.

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.
• Completion of a three-year probationary period required in accordance with the USDA Demonstration Project Authority. During this time, employee's conduct and performance will be monitored to determine if employee will be retained.
• 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.

Qualifications

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. This is a research scientist position and is classified under the scientist career plan. Research scientists have open-ended promotion potential. Research accomplishments and their impact on the duties and responsibilities of positions are evaluated periodically. The grade level is limited only by the individual's demonstrated ability to perform research of recognized importance to science and technology. Final grade level will be determined by a peer review panel. The purpose of the initial review panel is to determine the grade level upon entry into a position. Candidates being considered for this research position should provide a list of publications for which you have been an author, co-author, or contributor. If providing curriculum vitae, please incorporate all resume requirements identified in the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement or submit a supplemental resume which includes all information required in addition to the curriculum vitae. Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary or seasonal appointment/work assignment or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result in an applicant not being considered for the position. To ensure consideration for this position, attach both graduate and undergraduate transcripts. Provide course descriptions to clarify content of coursework as necessary. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below. Basic Requirement for Wildlife Biologist Series, 0486 Successful completion of a bachelors or higher-level degree with a major in wildlife biology, zoology, or botany that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in biological science and 15 semester hours in the physical, mathematical, and earth sciences. This course work must have included: At least 9 semester hours of training applicable to wildlife biology in such subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, principles of population dynamics, or related course work in the field of wildlife biology; At least 12 semester hours in zoological subjects such as invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy of the vertebrates, embryology, animal physiology, entomology, herpetology, parasitology, and genetics; At least 9 semester hours in the field of botany and related plant science; At least 15 semester hours of training in any combination of two or more of the following: chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, soils, and/or geology. Basic Requirement for Ecologist Series, 0408 Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree 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 requirement, you must also possess specialized experience or directly related graduate education in the amounts listed below. GS-12: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Specialized experience at this level is defined as: Conducting the full cycle of scientific research (including identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: Developing studies on the pine-dominated upland forest ecosystems in the West Gulf Coastal Plain and Interior Highlands. This includes research on natural-origin and planted loblolly and shortleaf pine-dominated ecosystems; it may also include projects in other southern pine ecosystems, including longleaf pine, as well as pine-hardwood or "mixedwood" forests across the region. Planning and conducting research on wildlife-related issues in the pine- and pine-hardwood-dominated ecosystems of the southern US. This program could consist of studies related to the complex relationships between forest environments, population dynamics, habitat alterations, natural and human-mediated disturbances (including wildfire and changing climates), silvicultural practices (including prescribed fire and restoration), and/or the provision of a wide range of ecosystem goods and services, from pollination to carbon sequestration to timber production and recreation. Forming, leading, and participating in research teams having regional and/or national importance. Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. --OR-- Conferred Ph.D. degree that included scientific research in areas related to the position which includes developing studies on pine-dominated upland forest ecosystems and/or includes coursework in areas such as wildlife biology, ecology, forest management; how human activities (such as silvicultural treatments) and natural disturbances influence wildlife populations over a range of scales; the long-term success and stability of ongoing ecosystem restoration efforts under a changing climate and in the presence of invasive species, new diseases, and other large-scale disturbances and system alterations (e.g., forest fragmentation). To qualify based on education, your transcripts must show the conferral of your Ph.D.

Education

• See above for required education and/or graduate level education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.

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]