Title: Biological Science Technician (USDA-Agricultural Research Service) Series/Grade: GS-0404-4/5 Dates: Apr 21 or May 5 through Sep 18 or Oct 2, 2025 Location: Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon, USA Number of Positions: 3
Job Description The research unit, led by Dr. Stella Copeland, focuses on applied management questions in grassland and shrubland ecosystems in collaboration with a broad set of managers and other research groups. Three technician positions will be hired with this announcement at the GS-4 or 5 level (federal pay scale) for 5 months from Apr 21-Sep 18 OR May 5-Oct 2, 2025. Technicians will work primarily (~75% of the time) on field-based research projects focused on restoration success and plant community dynamics in eastern Oregon sagebrush steppe. Primary duties include: identifying plant species, estimating plant cover (with various methods), density, quantifying seedling survival, and collecting and processing soil samples. Some tasks will be at the field station (indoors) such as biomass sorting, root sample processing, and data entry (~25% of the time). A small proportion of field and lab work will involve collecting and processing bee specimens. Fieldwork occasionally involves multi-day camping trips in remote areas (~3 weeks total). Opportunities for mentored independent projects involving data analysis of existing datasets are offered to all technicians. Requirements and Qualifications Must be able to lift objects that weigh up to 50 pounds and kneel/squat for extended periods of time during field monitoring and for sample collection. Must have a valid state motor vehicle operator's license and be able to operate motor vehicles. Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions and hike over rugged and steep terrain. Must be a US citizen. In addition, applicants must meet the following requirements based on education and/or experience: GS-4: 6 months of general AND 6 months of specialized experience; OR successful completion of 2 years of post-high school education that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture or mathematics of which 6 semester hours of courses relate directly to the duties of the position (plant biology, range/ecology, or natural resource management). GS-5: One year of specialized experience at the GS-4 level; OR successful completion of a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field (i.e., biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics) or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours, or the equivalent, in courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics of which 6 semester hours relate directly to the position to be filled (plant biology, range/ecology, or natural resource management); OR a combination of specialized experience and post-high school education. Salary, Housing, and Benefits Full time (40 hours/week), 4 day/week (Mon-Thu), 10 hour/day schedule. $17.29-19.34 per hour (GS-4 or 5), assuming 2% raise from 2024 GS pay levels. Shared housing is provided (no cost) at the field station. Annual and sick leave benefits included. Health insurance available (cost depends upon employee selection). Application Email the application materials below to Stella Copeland, [email protected], with the subject line: "Seasonal Technician Application" by the deadline, Monday Jan. 6th, 2025. (1) cover letter - please include the dates you are available to work (2) resume (3) references (4) college transcripts, unofficial versions are fine (5) list of natural resource, botany, wildlife, ecology, environmental science, rangeland science courses (to qualify for GS level) Application review will begin immediately after the deadline. USDA-ARS is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately. To unsubscribe from this list please go to https://community.esa.org/confirm/?u=RhPWqPxFwODKvbkiT32nkIqRrsiSgulp
