This Term position is located at the Rocky Mountain Research Station. The position coordinates and manages scientific projects utilizing environmental DNA data and also support fisheries, wildlife and forest ecology research activities. This position supervises 20% or less of the time directing field crews and lab technicians. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Thomas Franklin at [email protected].

Duties

Adapt and design, coordinate, and execute field and laboratory projects using established scientific methods and techniques applicable to a variety of ecological sciences. Organize, verify, and refine ecological and/or genetic data collected. Study and evaluate ecological data and writes up methods, findings, recommendations and other conclusions for publication. Conduct lab assignments including developing lab methods, supervising lab technicians, preparing samples and gathering complex biological data via genetic analyses such as environmental DNA. Perform project planning activities including scheduling, organizing, and executing field and laboratory projects related to ecological research problems, i.e., interactions between plants, animals, and the environment. Supervise, lead, and direct field crews or lab technicians in collecting or generating data and samples for analyses. Plan the work to be accomplished by the unit, assigns work to employees, and establishes production or quality standards for the unit’s work.

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.

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 Requirement: You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for all positions at the GS-5 grade level and above. Bachelor's Degree: 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 experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-09: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as all of the following: - Performing project planning activities including executing field and genetic laboratory projects related to ecological research problems. - Adapting, coordinating, and executing ecological field and laboratory projects with or without direction. - Executing tasks utilizing molecular tools such as environmental DNA, microsatellites, etc. for fish, wildlife, and/or plant species - Organizing, verifying, refining, analyzing and evaluating data collected and writes up methods, findings, recommendations and other conclusions for publication. OR possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. with a thesis or coursework related to forest ecology research activities. OR possess 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). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. 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

See above for 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]