PNW Research Station, Forestry Inventory & Analysis Program, Portland Forestry Sciences Lab
Positions may be based in Portland, or in one of 9 satellite duty stations (Sedro-Woolley, WA; La Grande, Eugene, Prineville/Bend, Grants Pass, OR; Mount Shasta, Grass Valley/Nevada City, Arcata, Fresno, CA) GS-0401-5/7/9 Outreach is being conducted until October 16, 2009. The PNW Research Station, Portland Forestry Sciences Lab, anticipates filling up to eight positions for the Oregon, Washington, and California field data collection crew leaders for the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. The GS-9 positions will have a salary range of $49,020 to $63,726; the GS-7 positions will have a salary range of $40,075 to $52,099; the GS-5 positions will have a salary range from $32,353 to 42,060. These are permanent seasonal positions; 18 pay periods full time and 8 pay periods non-pay status. A Permanent Seasonal Employee receives an agreement guaranteeing a specific number of pay periods of full-time employment. They may be worked longer depending on workload and funding. These positions are with the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program, with main office located in Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Northwest FIA Program conducts forest inventories and forest health monitoring on forestlands of all land ownerships in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii/Pacific Islands. The forest inventory is conducted in 3 phases. Phase 1 is a remote sensing classification currently being done from aerial photos and satellite images. Phase 2 is a set of field plot samples located on a systematic basis across the unit. Phase 3 is a sub sample of the field plots for forest health measurements. A wide variety of information is collected in the inventory including tree measurement data, understory vegetation identification and cover estimates, down woody material data, and lichen and soils information. The areas sampled by the lab cover a diversity of ecological communities which include: the temperate rain forests of coastal Oregon and Washington, the redwood coastal forests of California; high mountain conifer forests of the Cascades and Sierras; drier ponderosa pine, oak woodland and juniper forests of Oregon, Washington and California; and tropical forests of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. Each crew covers a large area, and no matter where you work, you will see a wide variety of country. All crew leaders work under the direction of a state coordinator and lead a crew in the collection of forest inventory data. After two to four week training sessions, the two to four person crews use maps, aerial photos, and GPS units to navigate to and find plot locations. Measurements taken by crews include: tree/sapling/seedling data (species, diameter, height, defect, insect & disease, damage, etc); understory vegetation (shrub, herb, grass species and percent cover, etc.); down woody material (line transects, litter depth, and fuels measurement, etc.); and site index and site attributes (site tree selection, slope, aspect, topographic position, distance to water, etc.). Plot data is edited using various software and uploaded to the Portland office. The field-season typically runs from early April thru November. The 2-4 person crews travel frequently and independently. The crew will return home to the duty-station nightly for about one-third of the season, they will return to the duty station on weekends for one-third, and for the final third they will be in extended travel status. During travel periods, crews will change locations about weekly. Lodging is generally in motel/hotels, but in some areas significant amounts of backpacking/camping are required. In all areas, work conditions are often arduous. Work may be performed in inclement weather (cold, heat, rain, snow) and on rugged, steep, slippery, and/or brushy slopes. Significant amounts of on-trail and off-trail hiking are required. Crewmembers must carry a 45lb pack daily, with pack weights sometimes exceeding 60lbs. Excellent physical conditioning is a must. Exposure to hazards such as poison oak, bears, and insects is common. Additionally, crewmembers may occasionally travel in small aircrafts, helicopters and boats. If you are interested in one of these positions and working with the Pacific Northwest Research Station, please use the attached response form to express your interest by October 16, 2009. You can send your response electronically or by regular mail to the following address: John Chase, jch...@fs.fed.us, PNW Research Station - FIA, 620 SW Main, Suite 400, Portland, OR 97205 or call Jeff Reis at (503) 808-2022. This is just a pre-announcement. When the position is advertised, the announcement will be posted on the Office of Personnel Management web site: www.usajobs.opm.gov . The announcement will contain all of the information you need to apply for the position.
